Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch
Ingredients:
For the Fried Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Street Corn:
- 2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp sour cream
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta cheese)
For the Jalapeño Lime Ranch:
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1 small jalapeño, seeds removed and finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For Assembly:
- Small soft corn tortillas
- Lime wedges
- Extra cilantro for garnish
Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).
2. Fry the Chicken: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Dredge the marinated chicken in the flour mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly. Fry the chicken in batches, cooking each side for about 4-5 minutes or until golden and crispy. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Once cooled slightly, slice the chicken into strips.
3. Make the Street Corn: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the corn and cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once cooked, add the chili powder, paprika, cilantro, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice. Stir until combined and the corn is coated. Remove from heat and stir in the cotija cheese.
4. Prepare the Jalapeño Lime Ranch: In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing, chopped jalapeño, lime juice, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Assemble the Tacos: Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave. Layer each tortilla with a scoop of the street corn mixture, followed by fried chicken strips. Drizzle with jalapeño lime ranch sauce.
6. Garnish & Serve: Garnish the tacos with extra cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Serve immediately and enjoy!
These tacos are packed with flavor from the crispy fried chicken, creamy street corn, and spicy-sweet jalapeño lime ranch—perfect for taco night or a fun dinner!