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Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch

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  • Author: Jake
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings (2 tacos each) 1x
  • Category: Dinner, Tacos
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Description

Crispy fried chicken, smoky street corn, and a tangy jalapeño lime ranch sauce come together in these bold and flavorful tacos. Perfect for taco night or a casual gathering, they pack a punch of flavor in every bite!


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Fried Chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into strips
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Street Corn:

  • 2 ears of corn, grilled or roasted, kernels removed
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

For the Jalapeño Lime Ranch:

  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Assembly:

  • 8 small flour or corn tortillas
  • Shredded lettuce (optional)
  • Additional lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Make the Fried Chicken:
  2. In a bowl, marinate chicken strips in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for extra tenderness).
  3. In another bowl, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
  4. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
  5. Dredge chicken in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, and fry in batches until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Drain on paper towels.
  6. Prepare the Street Corn:
  7. In a bowl, mix grilled corn kernels, mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and chopped cilantro. Set aside.
  8. Make the Jalapeño Lime Ranch:
  9. Whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, jalapeño, lime juice, garlic powder, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  10. Assemble the Tacos:
  11. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or in the oven.
  12. Layer with shredded lettuce (if using), fried chicken strips, a generous scoop of street corn, and a drizzle of jalapeño lime ranch.
  13. Garnish with additional cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

  • For a lighter version, substitute grilled chicken for fried.
  • Adjust the spice level by using less jalapeño or skipping the cayenne.
  • Make the ranch sauce ahead of time for enhanced flavor.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 tacos
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 780mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 95mg