1. Home
  2. Recipes
  3. Street Corn Chicken Casserole Fiesta

Street Corn Chicken Fiesta Casserole

Featured in Hearty Main Courses.

Enjoy a fiesta of flavors with tender chicken, golden corn, creamy cheeses, and a crunchy layer of tortilla chips. With the zest of chili powder, cumin, and fresh lime juice, this crowd-pleasing casserole brings all the vibrant appeal of Mexican street corn to your table. It's easy to prepare, feeds a group, and offers a beautiful balance of creamy, savory, and crunchy goodness. Customize with extra heat, or swap in beans for a hearty vegetarian twist. Garnish with cilantro and serve hot for the ultimate comforting meal.

Pin it Share it Send it Print it Jump To Recipe
Casey
Updated on Fri, 29 Aug 2025 11:36:23 GMT
A piece of food with cheese on it. Pin it
A piece of food with cheese on it. | cookingwithcasey.com

This Street Corn Chicken Casserole is pure comfort with a fiesta twist The combination of creamy cheese tender chicken and crunchy tortilla chips is irresistible When I first whipped this up for a potluck it vanished in minutes and a neighbor immediately requested the recipe

I made this on a hectic weeknight and my kids asked for seconds before I could even sit down It is now my go to dish for when I want something satisfying and easy

Ingredients

  • Shredded cooked chicken: I grab a rotisserie chicken for ease and maximum flavor
  • Sweet corn kernels: fresh or frozen for bursts of sweetness and color
  • Cream cheese: the base that makes everything luscious let it come to room temperature for easy mixing
  • Sour cream: keeps it creamy and adds tang
  • Mayonnaise: only a little makes the texture rich and smooth
  • Monterey Jack cheese: melts beautifully choose a block and shred it yourself for best melt and flavor
  • Cotija cheese: adds classic Mexican street corn flavor look for freshly crumbled in the cheese section
  • Fresh cilantro: brightens everything pick leaves that look perky and green
  • Chili powder: for smoky heat
  • Garlic powder: brings out the savoriness
  • Ground cumin: gives a deep earthy flavor
  • Fresh lime juice: do not skip gives the dish a fresh zip
  • Salt and black pepper: essential for balance use kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper if possible
  • Crushed tortilla chips: for a crunchy topping use sturdy chips so they stay crisp
  • Extra Monterey Jack cheese: for topping that melts into the crust

Step by Step Instructions

Cook the Aromatics:
Blend shredded chicken corn cream cheese sour cream mayonnaise and Monterey Jack cheese in a large bowl Mix in half of the cotija cheese and cilantro for an even distribution of flavor Sprinkle in chili powder garlic powder and cumin Drizzle with lime juice and season with salt and pepper Stir until the mixture looks creamy and well combined
Prepare the Baking Dish:
Scoop the mixture into a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer this guarantees every bite has balanced flavor and texture
Add Cotija Cheese:
Sprinkle the remaining cotija cheese evenly over the surface to ensure each spoonful gets a punch of tang
Top with Crunch:
Spread crushed tortilla chips in a bowl toss with remaining Monterey Jack cheese Scatter evenly over the assembled casserole for a bubbly crunchy finish
Bake:
Place dish uncovered in a preheated 375 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes Bake until the top is bubbly and golden brown
Rest and Garnish:
Let the casserole cool for at least 5 minutes to set the cheese for neat slices Garnish with extra cilantro lime wedges and hot sauce just before serving
A white plate with a bowl of food. Pin it
A white plate with a bowl of food. | cookingwithcasey.com

My favorite moment with this casserole was making it for my birthday last year My cousins fought over the last serving and we all agreed that the cotija made it extra special I always add a little extra cheese just for fun

Storage Tips

Leftovers keep refrigerated in a tightly covered dish for up to four days For longer storage pack individual portions into containers and freeze up to two months To reheat bake at 350 degrees until warm or use a microwave for quick lunches The chips stay crispier when reheated in the oven

Ingredient Substitutions

You can easily swap in canned or frozen corn if fresh is not handy Feel free to use cheddar or pepper jack for a different flavor vibe Swap sour cream with Greek yogurt if you want extra tang and protein For a vegetarian version black beans make a hearty substitute for chicken

Serving Suggestions

This casserole shines with a simple salad of romaine lime and avocado Serve it with extra tortilla chips and fresh pico de gallo If you want a side try cilantro lime rice It also makes a great taco or burrito filling for next day lunches

Street Corn Origins

Mexican street corn or elote inspired this dish Street vendors in Mexico roast corn on the cob brush it with creamy sauce dust it with cotija and chili powder then serve it hot My casserole turns those classic flavors into a cozy weeknight meal without the fuss of grilling

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use leftover chicken?

Absolutely! Shredded rotisserie or leftover chicken works perfectly and saves on prep time.

→ How can I make this spicier?

Add chopped jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne to the mix for extra heat.

→ Can I use another cheese instead of Monterey Jack?

Cheddar or pepper jack cheese are great alternatives and can add a bolder flavor.

→ Is it possible to prepare this in advance?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake when ready to serve.

→ Can I make this vegetarian?

Omit the chicken and replace it with black beans for a meatless version that still packs plenty of flavor.

→ What's the best way to reheat leftovers?

Reheat in the oven at 350°F, loosely covered, until hot and bubbly for best texture.

Street Corn Chicken Casserole Fiesta

Layers of chicken, corn, cheese, and tortillas create comforting, vibrant flavors perfect for busy nights.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes
By: Casey

Category: Hearty Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican-inspired

Yield: 8 Servings (One 33 x 23 cm casserole)

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Components

01 600 g cooked chicken, shredded
02 300 g corn kernels, drained if canned
03 170 g cream cheese, softened
04 120 ml sour cream
05 60 ml mayonnaise
06 200 g Monterey Jack cheese, shredded and divided
07 60 g cotija cheese, crumbled and divided

→ Seasonings

08 15 g fresh cilantro, chopped and divided
09 1 teaspoon chili powder
10 1 teaspoon garlic powder
11 1 teaspoon ground cumin
12 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
13 1 teaspoon salt
14 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Topping

15 70 g tortilla chips, crushed
16 Remaining Monterey Jack cheese

→ Garnish (optional)

17 Fresh cilantro, chopped
18 Lime wedges
19 Hot sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 190°C. Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm baking dish with oil or non-stick spray.

Step 02

In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine shredded chicken, corn kernels, softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and half of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Fold in half of the crumbled cotija cheese and half of the chopped cilantro. Blend in chili powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, and fresh lime juice. Season with salt and black pepper. Stir until creamy and evenly incorporated.

Step 03

Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread into an even layer.

Step 04

Disperse the remaining cotija cheese evenly across the surface of the casserole.

Step 05

In a small bowl, toss the crushed tortilla chips with the reserved Monterey Jack cheese. Mix until the cheese is distributed throughout.

Step 06

Scatter the tortilla chip and cheese mixture evenly over the top of the casserole. Bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling at the edges.

Step 07

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with the remaining cilantro, lime wedges, and a dash of hot sauce if desired before serving.

Notes

  1. Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and extra flavor.
  2. Soften the cream cheese to room temperature before mixing for a smoother consistency.
  3. Fresh lime juice adds brightness to the dish; do not omit for best flavor.
  4. For a vegetarian adaptation, replace chicken with black beans.
  5. For added heat, stir in diced jalapeños or choose a spicier cheese.
  6. Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a tangy, lighter variation.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large mixing bowl
  • 33 x 23 cm baking dish
  • Oven
  • Rubber spatula or spoon
  • Small bowl

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise)
  • Contains eggs (mayonnaise)
  • Contains corn (corn kernels, tortilla chips)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 30 g
  • Protein: 30 g