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A Flavorful Fiesta in Every Bite


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  • Author: Evee
  • Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes (includes marinade time)
  • Yield: 8 tacos
  • Diet: Halal

Description

Fried Chicken Street Corn Tacos with Jalapeño Lime Ranch are a flavor-packed fusion of crispy buttermilk fried chicken, sweet and smoky street corn salad, and a tangy, herb-filled jalapeño lime ranch, all wrapped in warm tortillas for the ultimate taco night.


Ingredients

Chicken Tender Marinade:

1.5 lbs chicken tenders

1 cup pickle juice

½ cup buttermilk

Chicken Coating:

1½ cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup cornstarch

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp paprika

2 tsp salt

2 tsp onion powder

2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp cayenne powder

2 tbsp hot sauce

1½ cups buttermilk

Peanut or vegetable oil, for frying

Street Corn Salad:

56 ears corn, husked and grilled

⅓ cup mayo

1 garlic clove, minced

1 lime, juiced and zested

⅓ cup sliced scallions

⅓ cup grated cotija cheese

¼ cup cilantro, minced

1 jalapeño, diced

½1 tsp chili powder

¼ tsp salt

Jalapeño Lime Ranch:

¾ cup mayo

¾ cup sour cream

1 tbsp dry ranch seasoning

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp salt

½ cup pickled jalapeños

2 tbsp pickled jalapeño juice

¾ cup cilantro, large stems removed

1 tbsp lime juice

¼ cup buttermilk

Additional Ingredients:

Flour tortillas

Bacon, 1 strip per taco (cooked and diced)


Instructions

  1. Whisk pickle juice and buttermilk in a bowl. Add chicken tenders, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
  2. For coating, prepare one bowl with flour, cornstarch, and spices; another with buttermilk and hot sauce. Stir a splash of buttermilk into flour mixture for clumps.
  3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Dredge chicken in flour, dip in buttermilk, and coat in flour again. Rest a few minutes.
  4. Fry chicken in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and 165°F internally. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Grill corn until charred, slice off kernels, and mix with mayo, garlic, lime juice/zest, scallions, cotija, cilantro, jalapeño, chili powder, and salt. Chill until serving.
  6. Blend cilantro, pickled jalapeños, and juice until smooth. Whisk with mayo, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, lime juice, and buttermilk. Chill.
  7. Lightly fry tortillas in oil until golden and pliable.
  8. Assemble tacos with chicken, street corn salad, ranch, and bacon. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Notes

For extra spice, increase cayenne and use fresh jalapeños.

Swap chicken tenders with diced boneless chicken thighs for a juicier option.

Replace chicken with cauliflower florets for a vegetarian version.

Prepare corn salad and ranch up to 24 hours ahead for faster assembly.

Reheat fried chicken in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

  • Prep Time: 45 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Frying & Grilling
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 taco
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 6g
  • Sodium: 940mg
  • Fat: 29g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 34g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg