Amazing Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken Joy

Okay, who else feels like weeknights are just a blur of trying to get dinner on the table? I totally get it. For years, the kitchen felt like more of a chore than a joy, and I was convinced I just wasn’t a ‘kitchen person.’ But then I discovered the magic of *easy*, flavorful meals, and honestly, it changed everything! That’s why I’m so thrilled to share this Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken with you. It’s got all those creamy, tangy, smoky elote flavors we love, but it’s practically foolproof in the slow cooker. Seriously, just toss everything in, and let your crockpot do all the work! It’s the perfect, hands-off way to bring a little bit of that vibrant street corn goodness right to your dinner table, no stress required.

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Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken

Seriously, folks, this recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights. Here’s why you’ll want to make it again and again:

• Insanely Easy: It’s the ultimate ‘dump and go slow cooker’ meal. Toss everything in and forget about it!
• Packed with Flavor: That creamy, dreamy street corn taste? Yep, it’s all there, minus the fuss.
• Super Versatile: Tacos, bowls, nachos – you name it, this chicken works.
• Family-Approved: Even the pickiest eaters will love these comforting, familiar flavors.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This is one of those fantastic weeknight crockpot recipes that makes ahead-of-time planning a breeze.

Ingredients for Delicious Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken

Okay, so gathering the goodies for this Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken is super straightforward, which is exactly what I love after a busy day. You just need to grab a few things from the pantry and the fridge, and then the magic happens in the slow cooker.

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs) – get the nice plump ones if you can!
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained – I like to use the whole kernel kind here.
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained – this adds a little kick!
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies, undrained – for extra flavor without too much heat.
• 1/2 cup chicken broth – this helps everything cook down nicely.
• 1 packet taco seasoning – easy peasy flavor boost!
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika – gives it that lovely smoky depth.
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) – if you like a little more zing!
• 4 oz cream cheese, cubed – this is what makes it SO creamy.
• 1/2 cup sour cream – gotta have that tang!
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro – for that fresh pop of flavor.
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta cheese) – for that authentic street corn vibe.
• Lime wedges, for serving – don’t skip the lime!

How to Make Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get this amazing Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken into your crockpot! Honestly, the beauty of this recipe is just how simple it is. It’s one of those fantastic weeknight dinner lifesavers that practically makes itself.

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Prep and Combine Ingredients

First things first, grab your slow cooker insert. Lay those chicken breasts right in the bottom. Then, pour in that can of corn (drained, remember!), the undrained diced tomatoes and green chilies, and the undrained diced green chilies. They add so much flavor! Next, sprinkle over all those yummy spices – the taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a little cayenne if you’re feeling brave! Finally, pour in the chicken broth.

Slow Cooker Cooking Time

Now for the easy part: cover it up and let the magic happen. You can cook this on LOW for about 6 to 8 hours, which is perfect if you’re going to work all day. Or, if you’re short on time, HIGH for 3 to 4 hours works too! The chicken should be super tender and cooked all the way through. You’ll know it’s ready when it just falls apart with a fork.

Achieving Creamy Elote Flavor

Once the chicken looks perfectly cooked, just lift those chicken breasts out of the slow cooker and put them on a plate or a cutting board. Grab two forks and shred that chicken right up! It’s so satisfying to see it shred so easily. Plop the shredded chicken back into the slow cooker, where all that delicious liquid is waiting. Now, add in the cubed cream cheese and the sour cream. Give it a good stir until the cream cheese melts and everything is melded into this wonderfully creamy sauce. Try not to mash the corn too much; we want to keep some texture!

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Finishing Touches for Your Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken

Almost done! Stir in that fresh cilantro and the crumbled cotija cheese. Oh, the cotija adds such a perfect salty, slightly tangy bite, just like real street corn! It looks so pretty with the flecks of green and white. Serve it up right away with some lime wedges on the side – a little squeeze of fresh lime juice right at the end really makes all those flavors pop. It’s just gorgeous and smells absolutely divine!

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken

You know, it’s funny how a few little tweaks can make a good recipe absolutely *great*. When I first started playing around with this Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken, I realized there were a few tricks I picked up over the years – like from my own bread-baking mishaps when I was first finding my way in the kitchen, remember? That journey taught me a lot about ingredient magic! And honestly, getting the kitchen to feel like my happy place has been so rewarding. These little tips will help ensure your elote chicken turns out perfectly creamy and flavorful, just like you’d get at a festival, but totally stress-free.

Spice Level Adjustments for Family Dinners

Okay, so not everyone in my house likes things with a big kick, so I’ve learned to play with the heat level. If you’re making this for little ones or just prefer a milder flavor, leave out the optional cayenne pepper altogether. You can also skip adding the diced green chilies if you’re really worried about heat, but they add such a nice subtle flavor! For those of you who love that spicy street corn vibe, just add a little extra pinch of cayenne, or even better, toss in a finely diced jalapeño (seeds and all if you’re feeling wild!) right at the beginning with everything else.

Cotija vs. Feta Cheese: Making the Swap

I adore cotija cheese for that authentic street corn zing – it’s salty and crumbly and just perfect. But let’s be real, sometimes you can’t find it at your local shop. Don’t you worry! Crumbled feta cheese is a totally fantastic stand-in. It has a similar crumbly texture and a nice tangy flavor that works beautifully here. The only real difference is that feta might be a *tad* creamier than cotija, but honestly, tossing it into this creamy chicken makes it barely noticeable. So, if cotija is nowhere to be found, just grab the feta – it’ll still be delicious! Come say hi on Facebook too!

Serving Suggestions for Your Elote Chicken

Okay, you’ve got this amazing Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken ready to go, and now the fun part: figuring out what to do with it! Honestly, this stuff is SO versatile, it’s like a little flavor miracle. My absolute favorite way to serve it is in tacos, of course. Just pile the creamy chicken onto warm tortillas, add some extra cotija, maybe a little cilantro or a squeeze of lime, and you’re golden. But seriously, it’s just as good in bowls! Layer it over some fluffy rice, top with your favorite salsa, avocado, and maybe some pickled red onions. And don’t even get me started on nachos! Just spread some tortilla chips on a baking sheet, spoon this chicken over the top, add cheese, and bake until melty. It’s the easiest, most delicious way to get that beloved street corn flavor into so many different dishes! You can even try it with nachos – it’s a total game-changer!

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Make-Ahead and Meal Planning with this Corn and Chicken Recipe

I’m all about making life in the kitchen as smooth as possible, especially during those crazy weekdays. This Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken pretty much fits perfectly into any meal planning strategy you’ve got going on. Think about it – you can even prep some things the night before; like chopping your cilantro or even measuring out your spice mix into a little baggie. Then, in the morning, it’s just a matter of tossing everything into the slow cooker. It’s honestly way easier and more satisfying than relying on those meal delivery companies where you’re still doing a bunch of chopping and cooking anyway!

Frequently Asked Questions about Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken

Got questions about this amazing Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken? I totally get it! It’s one of those recipes that sparks curiosity because it’s just SO easy and delicious. Let’s dive into some common things people ask so you feel totally confident making it.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are actually *amazing* in a slow cooker because they stay so moist and tender. If you prefer thighs, go for about 1.5 to 2 pounds of boneless, skinless thighs. The cooking time might be pretty similar, but they’re a bit more forgiving if you accidentally cook them a little longer.

How do I thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?

This is a common one! If your sauce isn’t as thick as you’d like after cooking, don’t sweat it. You can easily thicken it up by removing the shredded chicken and corn mixture temporarily, then stirring a cornstarch slurry (about 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water) into the liquid in the slow cooker. Let it heat on high for a bit until it thickens, then add your chicken and corn back in. Or, you can just stir in a bit more sour cream or even a dollop of cream cheese to add richness and body.

Can this recipe be adapted for an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can totally make this delicious elote chicken in an Instant Pot! You’ll likely want to sauté the chicken briefly first if you want some color, or just put everything in. Use the ‘Poultry’ or ‘Manual’ setting on high pressure for about 10-12 minutes, then let it naturally release pressure for 5 minutes before doing a quick release. Then just proceed with shredding and stirring in the creamy ingredients!

What if I don’t have taco seasoning?

No worries at all! If you’ve run out of taco seasoning, you can whip up your own blend or just use a mix of chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, a pinch of oregano, and a little black pepper. The recipe already lists most of those individual spices, so just adjust the chili powder and cumin a bit higher, maybe add a touch more paprika and a pinch of oregano. It’ll still be wonderfully flavorful!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, folks, the nutritional info below is an *estimate* – it can totally change depending on the brands you use and exactly how much cheese you pile on! But it gives you a good idea of what you’re getting with this creamy Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken. It’s pretty balanced, packed with protein from the chicken and nice flavors from the corn and spices. Pretty great for a comforting weeknight meal, right?

Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken

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Make this easy slow cooker street corn chicken for a flavorful, hands-off weeknight dinner. It’s creamy, packed with elote flavor, and perfect for tacos, bowls, or nachos.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Total Time: 4 hours 10 min
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooker
• Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies, undrained
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese (or feta cheese)
• Lime wedges, for serving

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Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Top with drained corn, diced tomatoes and green chilies, and diced green chilies.
3. Pour in chicken broth.
4. Sprinkle taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) over the chicken and corn mixture.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until chicken is cooked through and tender.
6. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
7. Stir in the cubed cream cheese and sour cream until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
8. Stir in chopped cilantro and cotija cheese.
9. Serve hot, with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

• For a spicier dish, add an extra pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño.
• If you don’t have cotija cheese, feta cheese is a good substitute.
• Serve this chicken in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, over rice, or as a topping for nachos.
• This recipe is a great option for meal planning, similar to how some meal delivery companies provide pre-portioned ingredients.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 100mg