High Protein Chicken Street Corn Salad (Print Version)
A hearty blend of grilled chicken, charred corn, and fresh veggies tossed in a creamy lime dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/2 tsp cumin
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
→ Salad
08 - 4 ears fresh corn (or 3 cups frozen/thawed corn kernels)
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
11 - 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
13 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
14 - 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled (or feta)
→ Dressing
15 - 3 tbsp Greek yogurt (or light sour cream)
16 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
17 - 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
18 - 1 tsp honey
19 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
20 - 1/4 tsp salt
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil, then rub with smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
03 - Grill chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C). Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
04 - Meanwhile, grill corn (in husks or wrapped in foil) for 10–12 minutes, rotating occasionally, until lightly charred. Remove kernels with a sharp knife. (If using frozen corn, char in a hot skillet for 3–4 minutes.)
05 - In a large bowl, combine grilled corn, tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, avocado, and cotija cheese.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, honey, chili powder, and salt until smooth.
07 - Add sliced chicken to the salad, drizzle with dressing, and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, garnished with extra cilantro and cotija if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The smoky grilled flavor cuts through the creamy dressing creating the perfect balance
- It is a complete meal in one bowl that actually keeps you full for hours
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing is the secret to keeping it juicy
- The dressing tastes better if it sits for ten minutes so the honey dissolves fully
03 -
- Use a sharp knife to remove corn kernels to avoid mess
- Keep the dressing on the side until ready to eat to keep salad crisp