Sizzling Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Recipe with Zesty Ranch

Crispy street corn tacos featuring mouthwatering fried chicken burst with unexpected flavor combinations.

bacon adds a smoky crunch that complements the tender meat perfectly.

Jalapeño lime ranch brings a tangy kick to every delicious bite.

Layers of texture and heat make these tacos irresistibly addictive.

Fresh ingredients dance together, creating a street food experience that feels like a fiesta.

Each taco promises a bold adventure for your taste buds.

Jump in and savor the ultimate comfort food that will have everyone asking for seconds.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat instead of chicken?

Yes, you can substitute the chicken with other proteins like shrimp, pulled pork, or even tofu for a vegetarian option. Just ensure the alternative is cooked thoroughly and seasoned well.

• How spicy is the jalapeno lime ranch?

The spice level depends on the number of jalapenos you use. For a milder version, remove the seeds and membranes before chopping. For more heat, keep the seeds or add extra jalapenos.

• Is cotija cheese necessary for the street corn mix?

While cotija adds a traditional Mexican flavor, you can substitute it with feta cheese or queso fresco if cotija is unavailable. The key is to use a crumbly, salty cheese.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Bacon & Jalapeno Lime Ranch

• Spice Up Your Meal: Kick your taste buds into high gear with this bold and zesty taco recipe packed with layers of exciting flavors and textures.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust spice levels to match personal preferences, making it perfect for picky eaters or adventurous food lovers.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Recreate a gourmet street food experience in your kitchen without complex techniques or expensive equipment, delivering restaurant-style deliciousness right to your plate.
• Crowd-Pleasing Fusion: Blend classic fried chicken with Mexican-inspired street corn and tangy ranch, creating an irresistible dish that appeals to diverse palates and guarantees happy diners.

What Goes Into Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Chicken: A tender and flavorful protein that serves as the main star of the tacos.
• Bacon: A crispy and savory meat that adds a smoky crunch to the dish.

• Corn Kernels: Sweet and juicy kernels that provide a fresh summer flavor.
• Cotija Cheese: A crumbly Mexican cheese that adds a salty and tangy element.
• Mayonnaise: A creamy binder that helps the street corn mix hold together.
• Lime Juice: A bright citrus component that adds freshness and acidity.

• Buttermilk: A tangy marinade that helps tenderize the chicken.
• Flour, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: A classic seasoning blend for coating the chicken.
• Chili Powder: A spicy powder that adds warmth to the street corn mix.
• Ranch Dressing: A creamy base for the jalapeno lime ranch sauce.
• Jalapenos: Spicy peppers that bring heat and zest to the ranch sauce.
• Lime Zest: A fragrant citrus element that enhances the ranch sauce.
• Tortillas: Soft corn or flour shells that serve as the base for the tacos.
• Cilantro: A fresh herb that provides a bright, herbal garnish.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for frying the chicken to golden crispy perfection.

Instructions for Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

Step 1: Marinate The Chicken

Submerge chicken pieces in buttermilk, ensuring complete coverage. Let sit for half an hour to tenderize and infuse flavor.

Step 2: Create Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.

Step 3: Coat And Prepare Chicken

Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off.

Roll each piece in seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to create a thick, even coating.

Step 4: Fry Chicken To Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet until shimmering.

Carefully place coated chicken pieces into hot oil. Fry until exterior turns deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Craft Street Corn Mixture

• Corn kernels
• Mayonnaise
• Crumbled cotija cheese
• Fresh lime juice
• Chili powder

Stir until ingredients are well incorporated.

Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Step 6: Whip Up Jalapeno Lime Ranch

• Ranch dressing
• Chopped jalapenos
• Lime zest
• Fresh lime juice

Pulse until smooth and creamy with visible green flecks.

Step 7: Crisp Bacon

Cook bacon in skillet until perfectly crisp. Drain and crumble into small pieces.

Step 8: Assemble Tacos

• Crispy fried chicken
• Street corn mixture
• Crumbled bacon

Drizzle generously with jalapeno lime ranch.

Step 9: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over tacos. Serve immediately while ingredients are warm and crispy.

Helpful Advice for Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Marinate chicken in buttermilk for extra tenderness and flavor infusion, ensuring juicy meat before frying.
• Pat chicken dry before coating to achieve maximum crispiness and help flour mixture adhere perfectly.
• Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F for evenly cooked, golden-brown chicken.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising crispy texture.
• Allow fried chicken to rest on paper towels for a few minutes to drain excess oil and maintain crunchiness.

Alternative Ideas for Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Vegetarian Corn Tacos: Replace fried chicken with crispy tofu or roasted cauliflower, keeping the street corn mix and jalapeno lime ranch for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour for chicken coating and corn tortillas, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Spicy Seafood Variation: Swap chicken with crispy shrimp or blackened fish, maintaining the street corn and ranch sauce for a seafood-inspired taco.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace tortillas with lettuce wraps, using the same fried chicken, street corn mix, and jalapeno lime ranch for a lighter meal.

Suggested Accompaniments for Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Fiesta Flavor Explosion: Create a vibrant taco bar where guests build their own tacos with pre-prepared ingredients, letting everyone customize their perfect bite with different toppings and sauces.
• Picnic Perfect Platter: Deconstruct the tacos into a shareable platter with crispy chicken strips, corn salsa, bacon bits, and ranch dressing on the side for a casual outdoor dining experience.
• Breakfast Twist: Transform the recipe into a morning meal by serving the fried chicken and street corn mix over crispy hash browns with a fried egg on top, drizzled with jalapeno lime ranch.
• Game Day Nachos Upgrade: Layer crispy tortilla chips with shredded fried chicken, street corn mix, crumbled bacon, and jalapeno lime ranch for a crowd-pleasing appetizer during sports events.

Best Practices for Storing Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking.
• Store chicken, corn mix, and ranch separately to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days for best quality and safety.

Ultimate Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos With Crispy Bacon And Zesty Jalapeno Lime Ranch Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering fried chicken street corn tacos with bacon and jalapeño lime ranch blend Mexican street flavors into a crave-worthy meal. Crispy chicken, smoky bacon, and zesty ranch create an irresistible combination you’ll want to devour again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 pound chicken tenders or thighs, boneless
• 8 ounces bacon, cooked and crumbled

Corn and Dairy:

• 2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing

Seasoning and Garnish:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 fresh jalapenos, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
• 6–8 soft corn or flour tortillas
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Submerge chicken pieces in buttermilk for a 30-minute flavor infusion, ensuring complete coverage.
2. Create a robust seasoning blend by combining flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk, thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere completely.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet to 350°F, maintaining a consistent temperature for even cooking.
5. Carefully lower battered chicken into hot oil, frying until exterior turns deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 8-10 minutes.
6. Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack lined with paper towels, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining crispy texture.
7. Char fresh corn kernels in a skillet until lightly caramelized, developing a smoky flavor profile.
8. Combine charred corn with creamy mayonnaise, crumbled cotija cheese, fresh lime juice, and zesty chili powder, mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed.
9. Pulse ranch dressing with fresh jalapeno, lime zest, and juice in a blender until smooth and vibrant green.
10. Warm corn tortillas briefly on a griddle to enhance flexibility and flavor.
11. Construct tacos by layering crispy chicken, topped with corn mixture, sprinkled bacon fragments, and generously drizzled jalapeno lime ranch.
12. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and serve immediately while components remain warm and crisp.

Notes

• Elevate buttermilk marination by adding hot sauce or garlic for deeper flavor penetration.
• Keep flour mixture extra seasoned and well-mixed to ensure uniform coating on chicken pieces.
• For crispier chicken, double-dip in buttermilk and flour mixture before frying at consistent 350°F oil temperature.
• Customize heat levels in jalapeno lime ranch by removing seeds for milder version or adding extra peppers for intense spiciness.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg