Street Corn Creamy Cucumber Chicken Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salad with grilled chicken, crisp cucumbers, and charred corn in creamy spicy dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts about 1 lb

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 ears corn on the cob or 1 1/2 cups frozen corn thawed
03 - 1 large English cucumber diced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
05 - 1/4 small red onion thinly sliced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped

→ Dressing

07 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
08 - 1/4 cup sour cream
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
10 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Toppings

15 - 1/3 cup cotija cheese crumbled or feta as substitute
16 - extra cilantro and lime wedges for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with a pinch each of salt, pepper, and chili powder. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
02 - Place corn cobs on the grill, turning occasionally, until lightly charred for 8-10 minutes. Let cool, then slice kernels off the cob. If using frozen corn, sauté in a dry skillet over high heat until lightly charred.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add diced chicken, charred corn, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro to the bowl with dressing. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Sprinkle with cotija cheese and extra cilantro. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The smoky charred corn paired with cool crisp cucumbers creates the most satisfying contrast of textures and temperatures
  • Everything comes together in one bowl and tastes even better after a short chill in the fridge
  • The creamy street corn-inspired dressing transforms simple grilled chicken into something extraordinary
02 -
  • The salad tastes infinitely better after chilling for 30 minutes giving the flavors time to meld
  • Grilling both the chicken and corn is what creates the authentic street corn flavor profile
  • The dressing might seem thick but it will thin slightly as the vegetables release some moisture
03 -
  • Marinate the chicken in lime juice and chili powder for 30 minutes before grilling for deeper flavor penetration
  • Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a lighter version that's still plenty creamy and tangy

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