This incredible recipe transforms the beloved flavors of Mexican elote into a hearty, satisfying meal. Get ready to discover your new favorite gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl.
We’re taking juicy, seasoned chicken and combining it with a vibrant mix of corn, peppers, and scallions. A deliciously creamy, savory sauce brings it all together. It’s then baked into a golden, bubbly casserole that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough for guests. This guide will walk you through creating the perfect gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl, offering tips and answering all your questions.
Table of Contents
From Potluck Favorite to a Gluten-Free Staple
Every family has that one dish, the one that disappears first at every potluck. For us, it was always a creamy, decadent street corn dip. When I transitioned to a gluten-free lifestyle eight years ago, I was determined not to lose those vibrant, comforting flavors.
That’s how this amazing gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl was born. It started as an experiment to capture the essence of that dip in a complete, satisfying meal without any gluten. After a few tries, I landed on this baked version, which quickly became a new family classic.
This dish is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of turning a challenge into something delicious. It proves that gluten-free eating is joyful and full of flavor. This delightful gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl is a testament to that journey.
The Magic of Elote Flavors in a Hearty Bake
The soul of this dish comes from the classic elements of elote. We capture that by sautéing sweet corn with red bell peppers and a hint of jalapeño for a gentle kick. The chicken is seasoned generously, creating a savory foundation that makes this gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl so irresistible.
The real game-changer is the sauce. It’s a smooth, creamy blend of cottage cheese, eggs, and Kewpie mayo, brightened with fresh lime juice and cilantro. It coats every piece of chicken and corn, ensuring each bite is packed with that signature tangy, slightly spicy street corn taste.
Why This Casserole is Your New Weeknight Hero
This recipe wins on weeknights. The reason? Pure simplicity. After a quick sauté of the veggies and chicken, everything gets combined in a single baking dish. This minimizes cleanup and makes the assembly of your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl a breeze. For another easy weeknight meal, you might also enjoy my Gluten-Free Sopapilla Cheesecake.
Gluten-Free Street Corn Chicken Bowl: Killer Tangy Magic
- Total Time: 65
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
This gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl is a cheesy, creamy, and flavorful casserole inspired by Mexican elote. Juicy chicken and sweet corn are baked in a savory sauce for an easy and satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Base:
2 tbs olive oil (divided)
2 scallions, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 small jalapeño, diced
3 cups frozen sweet corn
salt, to taste
1.75 lbs boneless + skinless chicken breasts, cubed small
salt, garlic powder, onion powder + chili powder to taste
1½ cups shredded mexi blend cheese
For the Sauce:
2 eggs
1 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup kewpie mayo
1/2 lime, juiced
2 cloves garlic
3 tbs fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp chili powder
salt to taste
Optional Garnish:
Fresh cilantro, diced avocado, cotija cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350℉.
2. Heat 1 tbs of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the scallions, pepper, and jalapeño and sauté for 2 minutes. Next, add in the corn and sauté for 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
3. Season your chicken generously with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Add the remaining 1 tbs olive oil and chicken pieces to your pan. Cook until golden brown on all sides, for about 5-6 minutes. Set aside.
4. To make the sauce, add the eggs, cottage cheese, mayo, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, and salt to a mini food processor. Pulse together until completely smooth.
5. To assemble, get a 9×13 inch baking dish. Add the cooked chicken pieces, 2/3 of the vegetable mixture, the sauce, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stir everything to combine and spread it out evenly.
6. Top the casserole with the remaining corn mixture and add the remaining shredded cheese around its border.
7. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh cilantro, avocado, and cotija cheese.
Notes
Substitution: If you don’t have cottage cheese, you can substitute it with an equal amount of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Time-Saver Tip: You can use pre-cooked shredded rotisserie chicken to save on cooking time.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 50
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/8th of casserole)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 16
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 150
Bringing the Bold Flavors of a Gluten-Free Street Corn Chicken Bowl to Your Kitchen
This gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl is more than just a meal. It’s an experience of vibrant textures and tastes that come together in perfect harmony. The combination of seasoned chicken, sweet corn, and that irresistible creamy sauce creates a dish that’s both comforting and exciting.
This recipe is designed to be straightforward. It proves that you don’t need complicated steps to achieve incredible flavor. The process is simple, allowing the ingredients to shine. Ultimately, this makes it a perfect meal for any day of the week, ensuring your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl is a success.
Your Guide to the Perfect Elote-Inspired Bake
Success comes from layering flavors. Textures matter too. First, you start by sautéing the scallions, bell pepper, and jalapeño to build a fragrant base. This step ensures the vegetables are tender and their flavors have melded together beautifully.
Next comes the crucial step. Sear seasoned chicken until golden brown. This simple action locks in moisture and adds a delicious crust. The sauce is the element that ties everything together. Using a food processor ensures it becomes perfectly smooth, evenly coating every ingredient. This attention to detail is what makes the final gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl so memorable.
Making It Your Own: Tips and Variations
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also wonderfully flexible. If you don’t have cottage cheese, sour cream can be used as a substitute for a similar tangy creaminess. For a different flavor profile, try adding a can of drained and rinsed black beans to the mixture before baking.
To adjust the spice level, you can increase the amount of jalapeño or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce. You can even use shredded rotisserie chicken to save time. Don’t hesitate to experiment with this gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl.
How to Create Your Delicious Gluten-Free Street Corn Chicken Bowl
Ready to bring this incredible dish to life? Here’s everything you need to make the perfect gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl. The ingredients are simple and accessible, and the instructions are broken down into easy-to-follow steps. This recipe is designed to be a stress-free cooking experience that delivers a truly impressive and satisfying meal.
The Building Blocks of Flavor
These are the key components that come together to create the magic in your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl. Each ingredient plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor and texture that make this dish so special.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Olive Oil | 2 tbs | Divided |
| Scallions | 2 | Diced |
| Red Bell Pepper | 1 medium | Diced |
| Jalapeño | 1 small | Diced |
| Frozen Sweet Corn | 3 cups | No need to thaw |
| Salt | to taste | |
| Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts | 1.75 lbs | Cubed small |
| Seasoning for Chicken | to taste | Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder |
| Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese | 1 ½ cups | |
| For the Sauce: | ||
| Eggs | 2 | |
| Cottage Cheese | 1 cup | |
| Kewpie Mayo | 1/4 cup | Or regular mayonnaise |
| Lime Juice | 1/2 lime | Freshly squeezed is best |
| Garlic | 2 cloves | |
| Fresh Cilantro | 3 tbs | |
| Chili Powder | 1/2 tsp | |
| Salt | to taste | |
| Optional Garnish: | ||
| Cilantro, Avocado, Cotija Cheese | For serving |
Step-by-Step to a Perfect Bake
First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Getting the oven hot is the first step to a perfectly baked gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl.
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Use medium-high heat. Add scallions, bell pepper, and jalapeño. Sauté for two minutes until soft. Then, add the corn and cook for four more minutes. Transfer this colorful veggie mix to a plate and set it aside.
Now, it’s time for the chicken. Season your cubed chicken generously with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Add the last tablespoon of olive oil to the same pan and cook the chicken until it’s golden brown on all sides, which takes about 5-6 minutes.
For the sauce, the creamy heart of your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl, combine the eggs, cottage cheese, mayo, lime juice, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, and salt in a mini food processor. Pulse everything together until the sauce is completely smooth.
Finally, let’s assemble your masterpiece. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked chicken, two-thirds of the vegetable mix, the creamy sauce, and one cup of shredded cheese. Stir everything together well. Spread the mixture out evenly. Top with the remaining corn mixture. Sprinkle cheese around the border.
Bake your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl uncovered for 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when it’s golden brown and bubbly on top. Top with fresh cilantro. Add creamy avocado. Finish with cotija cheese.
For more Gluten-Free recipes, follow me on Facebook and Pinterest.
Finishing Touches for Your Gluten-Free Street Corn Chicken Bowl
A great dish is often made legendary by its final touches. How you serve, store, and perfect your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl can elevate the meal from a simple dinner to a memorable feast. These final steps ensure every bite is as good as the first.
This is a meal that keeps on giving. These tips will help you savor every moment of your delicious gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl.
Serving and Storing Your Creation
Your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl is incredibly versatile. Here are a few ways to serve and store it:
- Choose Your Base: For a complete meal, serve the bake over a bed of fluffy cilantro-lime rice or quinoa.
- Use it as a Dip: It’s also fantastic scooped up with your favorite gluten-free tortilla chips for a heartier, shareable appetizer.
- Add Freshness: Pair it with a simple green salad tossed in a citrusy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
- Garnish Generously: Always top with fresh garnishes like diced avocado, extra cilantro, and crumbled cotija cheese right before serving.
- Store for Later: Keep any leftovers from your gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay delicious for up to four days.
- Reheat with Ease: Simply microwave individual portions or place the baking dish back in a 350°F oven until it’s warmed through and bubbly again.
Perfecting Your Bowl Every Time
Follow these simple steps to guarantee a perfect gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl every single time you make it:
- Season Boldly: First, don’t be shy when seasoning the chicken. This is a critical flavor layer that stands up to the creamy sauce.
- Blend the Sauce smoothly: Next, always use a food processor or blender for the sauce. This is the secret to getting that ultra-smooth consistency from the cottage cheese.
- Control the Heat: For a milder flavor, remember to remove the seeds from the jalapeño before you dice it. This gives you the pepper’s flavor without intense spiciness.
- Preheat for Perfection: Ensure your oven is fully preheated before the dish goes in. This is key to achieving that beautiful golden-brown, bubbly top.
- Let It Rest: Finally, let the gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl rest on the counter for five to ten minutes after it comes out of the oven. This lets the casserole set properly. Makes serving much easier. Flavors meld together perfectly, too.
What is in the street corn chicken rice bowl?
A typical street corn chicken bowl combines seasoned chicken, corn, and a creamy, chili-lime sauce often served over rice. My baked gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl casserole captures these flavors by combining chicken, corn, and peppers in a creamy sauce made from cottage cheese and mayo, which is then baked with cheese until bubbly. It’s delicious served over rice to make it a complete bowl meal.
Is elote dip gluten-free?
Generally, yes. Traditional elote dip ingredients like corn, mayonnaise, crema, cotija cheese, lime juice, and spices are naturally gluten-free. However, it is always essential to check the labels on all packaged ingredients, such as mayonnaise or spice blends, to ensure they are certified gluten-free and have no risk of cross-contamination.
Is Bowl and Basket creamed corn gluten-free?
To know for sure if a specific product like Bowl and Basket creamed corn is gluten-free, you must check the packaging. Look for a “gluten-free” certification on the label. Also, read the ingredients list carefully, as some brands use modified food starch or other thickeners that could be derived from wheat.
How many calories in a Mexican street corn chicken bowl from Qdoba?
The calorie count for a bowl from a restaurant like Qdoba varies widely depending on your choices. The type and amount of rice, beans, sauces, and toppings like cheese and guacamole all significantly impact the final total. For the most accurate information, you should use the official nutritional calculator on Qdoba’s website.
Conclusion
This gluten-free Street Corn Chicken Bowl is a perfect example of how gluten-free cooking can be full of vibrant, exciting flavors. By transforming the classic taste of elote into a hearty and satisfying bake, this recipe offers a complete meal that’s both easy to prepare and incredibly delicious. It’s a versatile dish that addresses all the key elements of a great meal—creamy, savory, and packed with texture. It’s a recipe designed to be enjoyed and shared, proving that with a little creativity, you never have to miss out on your favorite foods.