Description
A creamy, tangy, and smoky chicken salad inspired by Mexican street corn (elote). This budget-friendly recipe uses simple ingredients like rotisserie chicken, corn, and cotija cheese to create a satisfying meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta or cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 avocado, diced (optional)
Instructions
- Shred the rotisserie chicken into bite-sized chunks and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Finely dice the celery and red onion. If using fresh corn, cut kernels off the cob; if using frozen, thaw slightly; if using canned, drain well. Add corn, celery, and onion to the bowl with the chicken.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Gently fold everything together to coat evenly without mashing the ingredients.
- Sprinkle crumbled cheese and chopped cilantro over the top and fold gently to distribute.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Before serving, add diced avocado if using and gently fold in. Serve on lettuce, in tortillas, or with crackers.
Notes
For best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. If meal prepping, keep avocado separate until serving to prevent browning. The salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Do not freeze as the texture of the vegetables and dairy will suffer. For extra smokiness, dry-toast the chili powder and cumin before adding to the dressing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 32
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Mexican street corn chicken salad, elote chicken salad, budget chicken recipes, quick chicken salad, rotisserie chicken recipes, meal prep chicken salad, gluten-free chicken salad