Street Corn Chicken Casserole

This Street Corn Chicken Casserole is creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold Southwestern flavor. With tender chicken, roasted corn, and zesty seasoning, it’s the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for weeknights or potlucks.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy and comforting with a rich cheesy sauce
• Easy one-pan dinner—just mix and bake
• Great use for leftover or rotisserie chicken
• Southwestern flavor with corn, green chiles, and chili powder
• Crowd-pleasing for families, guests, or parties
• Gluten-free friendly if using corn tortillas or GF alternatives
• Make-ahead and freezer-friendly for busy schedules
• Kid-approved thanks to the mild spice and melty cheese

Ingredients

For the Casserole

• 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
• 2 cups frozen or canned corn (drained if canned)
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (like Rotel)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)

For the Topping

• 1/2 cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Extra chopped cilantro and chili powder for garnish

Directions

1. Preheat the oven
   • Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Mix the filling
   • In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, corn, tomatoes with green chiles, sour cream, cream cheese, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cheddar, Monterey Jack, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until everything is well blended.
3. Spread into baking dish
   • Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and smooth out the top.
4. Bake the casserole
   • Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and golden around the edges.
5. Prepare the topping
   • While baking, mix mayonnaise, lime juice, and crumbled cotija cheese in a small bowl.
6. Add the street corn topping
   • Once baked, spoon or drizzle the mayo-lime-cotija mixture over the casserole. Sprinkle with extra cilantro and chili powder for that street corn flair.
7. Serve and enjoy
   • Serve hot with lime wedges or tortilla chips on the side if desired.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 6–8
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Calories per serving: ~420

Variations

• Spicy Version: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling.
• Mexican Rice Layer: Add a layer of cooked Mexican rice on the bottom before the chicken mixture.
• Gluten-Free: Ensure your canned goods and toppings are certified gluten-free.
• Tortilla Bake: Layer in torn corn tortillas like an enchilada casserole.
• Vegetarian: Replace chicken with black beans and sautéed bell peppers.
• Low-Carb: Skip the corn and use riced cauliflower instead.
• More Veggies: Stir in zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach for added nutrition.
• Cheese Swap: Use pepper jack for extra spice or mozzarella for more melt.

Storage/Reheating

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight before reheating.
• Reheat: Microwave individual servings for 1–2 minutes or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 350°F for 15–20 minutes.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble everything except the topping and store covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Add the topping after baking.

Can I use fresh corn instead of canned or frozen?

Absolutely—use about 2 cups of cooked fresh corn cut from the cob.

Is there a dairy-free option?

You can swap sour cream and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives and use vegan cheese.

What type of chicken works best?

Rotisserie chicken is easiest, but any cooked and shredded chicken breast or thighs will work well.

Can I freeze leftovers?

Yes, this casserole freezes beautifully. Wrap it tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.

What’s a good side dish with this?

Serve with a side salad, guacamole, Mexican rice, or tortilla chips.

Is this casserole spicy?

It’s mildly spiced—perfect for most palates. Add more heat if you like it spicy!

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just use two baking dishes or a larger foil pan for parties or meal prep.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?

Yes, plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute and adds extra protein.

How do I get the perfect creamy texture?

Make sure the cream cheese is softened before mixing, and don’t overbake—it stays creamiest when just heated through.

Conclusion

This Street Corn Chicken Casserole is your new go-to for a warm, flavorful, and easy dinner. With creamy cheese, tender chicken, and bold corn flavor, it hits every craving. It’s also super adaptable, so you can make it your own with what’s in your pantry. Whether you’re feeding a family or meal prepping for the week, this dish delivers comfort with a Southwestern twist you’ll want again and again!

Print