– For the Fried Chicken:
– 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon black pepper
– ½ teaspoon salt
– Oil for frying (such as vegetable or canola)
– For the Street Corn Salad:
– 2 cups corn (fresh or frozen)
– ½ cup mayonnaise
– ¼ cup sour cream
– 1 teaspoon lime juice
– ½ teaspoon chili powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
– 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
– For the Jalapeño Lime Ranch Dressing:
– 1 cup ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
– 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– Salt to taste
– For Assembling Tacos:
– 8 small corn or flour tortillas
– Fresh cilantro, for garnish
– Lime wedges, for serving
Now let’s dive into the process of making your Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos:
1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and chicken breasts. Allow them to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to tenderize.
2. Prepare the Coating: In a large bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
3. Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat a generous amount of oil over medium heat for frying.
4. Coat the Chicken: Remove the marinated chicken from the buttermilk and let any excess drip off. Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture until fully coated.
5. Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken to the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side. Ensure the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Once cooked, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
6. Make Street Corn Salad: In a mixing bowl, combine corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chili powder, salt, pepper, cotija cheese, and cilantro. Stir until well mixed.
7. Prepare Jalapeño Lime Ranch: Blend ranch dressing, jalapeño, lime juice, and salt in a small bowl until creamy and smooth.
8. Warm Tortillas: Heat tortillas in a skillet or microwave until warm and pliable.
9. Assemble Tacos: Slice the fried chicken into strips. On each tortilla, place some of the street corn salad, add fried chicken strips, and drizzle with jalapeño lime ranch.
10. Garnish and Serve: Top with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges for an extra burst of flavor.
Following these steps will ensure you create a plate of Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos that is as delicious as it is visually appealing!