The Ultimate Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Recipe with Zesty Ranch

Crispy street corn tacos with jalapeño lime ranch bring a bold twist to your dinner table.

Kernels of sweet corn dance alongside crunchy fried chicken pieces for an irresistible flavor combination.

Spicy jalapeños add a kick that makes these tacos seriously addictive.

Creamy ranch sauce balances the heat with its cool, tangy profile.

Mexican-inspired street food meets comfort cooking in this mouthwatering fusion dish.

Each bite promises a perfect blend of textures and zesty flavors.

You won’t be able to resist trying this exciting culinary adventure.

Why Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos Hit the Spot

• Crush Cravings with Texture: Crispy fried chicken meets smoky grilled corn, creating an irresistible crunch and depth that transforms ordinary tacos into a culinary adventure.
• Master Complex Flavors in Minutes: Jalapeno lime ranch adds a zesty, creamy kick that perfectly balances the spicy and rich elements, making each bite a flavor explosion without complicated techniques.
• Customize Your Spice Level: Control the heat by adjusting jalapeño quantities, making these tacos adaptable for everyone from spice novices to heat enthusiasts.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Impress friends and family with gourmet-style tacos that look and taste like they came from a trendy street food truck, without needing professional cooking skills.

What Goes Into Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos

• Chicken Thighs: Tender meat that provides a juicy and flavorful foundation for the tacos.

• Cornmeal, Flour, Cajun Seasoning: A robust blend that creates a crispy, well-seasoned exterior for the chicken.

• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken and adds a subtle tangy flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: Enables deep frying and creates a golden, crispy chicken coating.

• Corn Ears: Provides a smoky, sweet element with caramelized grilled kernels.
• Jalapeños, Red Onion: Adds fresh, spicy, and sharp flavor notes to the tacos.

• Corn Tortillas: Serves as the traditional wrapper for the taco ingredients.

• Sour Cream, Ranch Seasoning, Garlic, Lime Juice, Salt, Black Pepper: Creates a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy sauce that complements the fried chicken.

• Cilantro: Provides a fresh, bright herbal finish to the tacos.

Taco Assembly Steps with Jalapeno Lime Ranch

Step 1: Prepare Flavor-Packed Coating

Create a crunchy coating by mixing cornmeal, flour, and cajun seasoning in a large shallow dish. This blend will give the chicken an irresistible crispy exterior with bold, spicy notes.

Step 2: Tenderize Chicken

Submerge chicken thighs in buttermilk for 30 minutes. The buttermilk works magic, breaking down proteins and infusing deep, tangy flavor into the meat.

Step 3: Coat Chicken Thoroughly

Remove chicken from buttermilk and generously coat each piece in the seasoned mixture. Press firmly to ensure every inch is covered with the flavorful breading.

Step 4: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet, bringing the temperature to 350°F. Use a cooking thermometer to check the precise heat for perfect frying.

Step 5: Fry Chicken to Golden Perfection

Gently lower coated chicken into hot oil, frying 6-8 minutes per side. Look for a gorgeous golden-brown color and ensure the internal temperature hits 165°F for safe, juicy chicken.

Step 6: Char Corn to Smoky Deliciousness

Grill corn ears until lightly charred, creating caramelized kernels with intense smoky flavor. The grill marks will add depth to your taco filling.

Step 7: Whip Up Jalapeno Lime Ranch

• Sour cream
• Ranch seasoning
• Minced garlic
• Lime juice
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk until smooth and creamy, creating a tangy, spicy drizzle.

Step 8: Prep Taco Toppings

• Jalapeños
• Red onion

Step 9: Warm Tortillas

Quickly warm corn tortillas on a hot griddle or skillet to make them pliable and enhance their flavor.

Step 10: Assemble Mouthwatering Tacos

• Sliced fried chicken strips
• Grilled corn kernels
• Chopped jalapeños
• Diced red onion
• Jalapeno lime ranch drizzle

Step 11: Final Garnish

Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro over tacos for a bright, herbal finish. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of flavors!

Key Tips for Crispy, Flavorful Fried Chicken Tacos

• Soak Chicken Wisely: Buttermilk marinade helps tenderize meat and infuse deeper flavors, ensuring juicier chicken pieces.
• Fry with Temperature Precision: Maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature for perfectly crispy exterior without burning the coating.
• Season Generously: Mix multiple spices in cornmeal-flour blend to create a complex, layered flavor profile for your chicken.
• Balance Heat Levels: Adjust jalapeño quantities to control spiciness, removing seeds for milder taste or keeping them for extra kick.
• Serve Immediately Fresh: Assemble tacos right after cooking to preserve crispiness of chicken and warmth of tortillas, maximizing texture and taste.

Fresh Twists on Street Corn Chicken Tacos

• Southern Comfort Tacos: Replace cajun seasoning with smoky barbecue spice blend for a rich, deep flavor profile.
• Mexican Street Cart Style: Add crumbled cotija cheese and roasted poblano peppers for authentic street food experience.
• Spicy Honey Chicken Tacos: Drizzle hot honey over fried chicken before assembling tacos, creating sweet and fiery layers.
• Crispy Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with buttermilk-soaked cauliflower florets, maintaining same crispy coating technique.

Great Pairings for Street Corn Chicken Tacos

• Crisp Beer Pairing: Choose a hoppy, light American pale ale or Mexican lager to cut through the richness of the fried chicken and complement the spicy ranch sauce.
• Zesty Margarita Match: Mix a classic lime margarita with a touch of jalapeño-infused tequila to echo the tangy and spicy notes in the jalapeno lime ranch and taco toppings.
• Fresh Coleslaw Side: Prepare a crisp, tangy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar and a hint of cilantro to provide a cool, crunchy counterpoint to the hot and spicy fried chicken tacos.
• Cooling Cucumber Salsa: Whip up a quick cucumber and lime salsa with diced red onion to add a refreshing, bright element that balances the deep-fried chicken and adds textural contrast.

How to Keep Fried Chicken Tacos Fresh

• Store fried chicken tacos in an airtight container for up to 2 days, separating chicken and tortillas to prevent sogginess.
• Keep jalapeno lime ranch, grilled corn, and chicken separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and texture.
• Wrap cooled fried chicken individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for up to 1 month, ensuring proper sealing to prevent freezer burn.
• Warm refrigerated chicken in the oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness, avoiding microwave to prevent soggy coating.

Taco Troubleshooting and FAQs

• What makes the chicken coating unique?

The cornmeal and cajun seasoning create a crunchy, spicy exterior that adds bold flavor and extra texture to the fried chicken.

• Why marinate chicken in buttermilk?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the meat, making the chicken more juicy and soft while also helping the seasoned coating stick better during frying.

• How do I know the chicken is perfectly cooked?

Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the coating turns golden brown, which ensures the chicken is fully cooked and crispy.

• Can I adjust the spice level of the tacos?

Yes, you can control the heat by adding more or fewer jalapeños in the ranch sauce and as a taco topping, allowing customization for different spice preferences.

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Ranch Recipe

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4.9 from 35 reviews

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

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Description

Sizzling “Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeno Lime Ranch” merge Mexican street food magic with crispy southern comfort. Spicy, creamy ranch and golden chicken create an irresistible flavor fiesta you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Corn:

• 2 lbs chicken thighs
• 4 ears fresh corn
• 2 cups cornmeal
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cajun seasoning

Taco Components:

• 8 corn tortillas
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 2 jalapeños
• 1 red onion

Sauce and Seasonings:

• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Combine cornmeal, flour, and cajun seasoning in a large shallow dish, creating a robust coating mixture for the chicken.
2. Marinate chicken thighs in buttermilk for 30 minutes to enhance tenderness and flavor absorption.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk, thoroughly dredge each piece in the seasoned cornmeal-flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F, preparing for crispy frying.
5. Carefully lower coated chicken thighs into hot oil, frying 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. While chicken fries, grill corn ears until lightly charred and kernels develop a smoky caramelization.
7. Prepare jalapeno lime ranch by whisking sour cream, ranch seasoning, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
8. Slice grilled corn kernels off the cob, chopping jalapeños and red onion for fresh taco garnishes.
9. Warm corn tortillas briefly on a griddle or skillet.
10. Slice fried chicken into strips, assembling tacos by layering tortillas with chicken, grilled corn, chopped jalapeños, red onion, and drizzling with jalapeno lime ranch.
11. Garnish tacos with fresh chopped cilantro before serving immediately.

Notes

• Buttermilk marinade helps tenderize chicken, infusing deeper flavors and creating a more succulent texture.
• Double-coat chicken for extra crispy exterior by dredging twice in seasoned cornmeal mixture for maximum crunch.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to prevent greasy chicken and ensure even golden-brown coating.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity or removing seeds for milder ranch sauce.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 850
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg