Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken: Effortless, Creamy, Flavor-Packed

If you love the flavors of Mexican street corn (elote) — smoky, creamy, tangy, and a little spicy — then this Slow Cooker Street Corn Chicken recipe brings all of that into a satisfying one-dish meal. With tender shredded chicken, corn kernels, creamy sauce, and bright seasonings, it’s a set-and-forget dinner that tastes like you spent way more time on it.

This version is inspired by a slow cooker street corn chicken recipe but reworked to be clear, fresh, and optimized for home cooks.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken (breast or thighs)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin
• Salt & pepper (to taste)
• 3 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned & drained, or frozen)
• 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (optional)
• ½ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 4 oz cream cheese
• ¼ to ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Cotija or queso fresco, crumbled (for topping)
• Optional: lime wedges, hot sauce, extra cilantro

Instructions

1. Season the chicken.
   Place chicken pieces in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle with garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Add corn and tomatoes.
   Add the corn kernels. If using, pour in the diced tomatoes with green chiles. Distribute evenly over the chicken.
3. Mix in creamy base.
   Stir together sour cream and mayonnaise, then spoon this mixture over the ingredients in the slow cooker. Lock the lid.
4. Cook low and slow.
   Cook on low for 6 hours (or on high for 3 hours), until the chicken is tender and easily shredded.
5. Add cream cheese & finish.
   About 30 minutes before serving, place chunks of cream cheese on top and cover again until softened. Then stir in the cream cheese until smooth and fully incorporated.
6. Shred and stir.
   Use two forks to shred the chicken in the cooker. Stir everything together to blend flavors and sauce.
7. Garnish & serve.
   Stir in chopped fresh cilantro. Serve in bowls, topped with crumbled cotija (or queso fresco), extra cilantro, and optional lime wedges or hot sauce.

Tips, Variations & Serving Ideas

• Chicken choice: Thighs are juicier and more forgiving, but chicken breast works fine if you monitor doneness.
• Adjust creaminess: Use full-fat sour cream and real cream cheese for richness; for lighter versions, you can replace part with Greek yogurt.
• Skip tomatoes if preferred: The dish still works without the diced tomatoes step for a simpler corn-and-chicken base.
• Make ahead: Assemble ingredients in the insert ahead of time, refrigerate overnight, then start cooking in the morning.
• Storing & reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container. Reheat gently on the stove or microwave, stirring in a splash of broth if sauce becomes too thick.
• What to serve with it: Cilantro-lime rice, tortilla chips, black beans, a simple salad, or wedges of warm corn tortillas complement this meal well.

Nutritional Estimate (per serving, for 6 servings)

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours
• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Calories: ~450–550 (dependent on ingredient brands and portion)
• Protein: high
• Servings: 6

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes. Breasts will be leaner but may dry out if overcooked. Keep an eye on internal temperature and shred as soon as it reaches 165 °F (74 °C).

Do I need to thaw frozen corn?
No — you can add frozen corn directly to the slow cooker. It will cook fully during the slow process.

Can I make this dairy-free or lighter?
You can attempt to replace sour cream and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives or Greek yogurt. The texture will change, and you may lose some richness, but you can still get good flavor.

Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, as long as all ingredients (especially condiments like sour cream, mayo, and canned tomatoes) are certified gluten-free.

How long will leftovers keep?
Leftovers stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container should stay good for 3–4 days. Reheat gently to preserve texture.

Can I double this recipe?
Yes, you can scale it up, provided your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate extra volume. Cooking time may increase slightly.