Mexican Street Corn Soup: 6 Delicious Comfort Secrets

Name: Mexican Street Corn Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 small red onion, diced; 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 (12 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 (12 oz.) package fire-roasted frozen corn (or fresh corn); 1 (4 oz.) can diced green chiles; 1 tbsp Tajín seasoning; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp chili powder; ½ tsp table salt; ¼ tsp finely ground black pepper; 4 cups (32 oz.) chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth; 2 cups sour cream (full-fat) or Greek yogurt (full-fat); ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese; Juice of one lime; ¼ cup chopped cilantro; ½ cup crumbled queso fresco

Jump to Recipe

If there’s one dish that can instantly turn a stressful weekday into a fiesta, it’s Mexican Street Corn Soup. Think of it as everything you love about elote—the smoky corn, creamy tang, and zesty lime—wrapped up in a bowl of pure comfort. And the best part? It’s weeknight-friendly, whether you’re simmering it on the stovetop or letting your slow cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup do all the heavy lifting while you live your life.

I first tried a version of this soup during a week when life felt like one giant to-do list. Between school drop-offs, a mountain of laundry, and the dreaded “What’s for dinner?” question, I needed a recipe that didn’t require babysitting. This soup was the answer—and trust me, it hasn’t left my dinner rotation since.

Why You’ll Love This Mexican Street Corn Soup

Set-it-and-forget-it option: Make it in your slow cooker, and dinner practically cooks itself.
Creamy and cozy: Sour cream and Monterey Jack bring all the creamy comfort you’re craving.
Zesty and bright: Fresh lime juice and cilantro keep things from feeling too heavy.
Crowd-pleaser: Even picky eaters can’t resist the smoky-sweet flavor of roasted corn.

It’s basically like a warm hug in a bowl—minus the awkwardness of hugging your soup bowl in front of people (but no judgment if you do).

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 tbsp olive oil
1 small red onion, diced
1 medium jalapeño, seeded and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (12 oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (12 oz.) package fire-roasted frozen corn (or fresh corn)
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chiles
1 tbsp Tajín seasoning
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp chili powder
½ tsp table salt
¼ tsp finely ground black pepper
4 cups (32 oz.) chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups sour cream (full-fat) or Greek yogurt (full-fat)
½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Juice of one lime
¼ cup chopped cilantro
½ cup crumbled queso fresco

How To Make Mexican Street Corn Soup

1️⃣ Sauté the aromatics

In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high. Add the diced onion and jalapeño, cooking until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Toss in the garlic and let it sizzle for 30 seconds until fragrant. Your kitchen will already smell like magic.

2️⃣ Add chicken and seasonings

Place the chicken breasts, fire-roasted corn, and green chiles in the pot. Sprinkle in Tajín, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. This is where the flavor party begins.

3️⃣ Simmer the soup

Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 25 minutes until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.

Slow Cooker Option: Skip the stovetop sauté, toss everything into your slow cooker (except the dairy and cheese), and cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours. Add the creamy ingredients at the end.

4️⃣ Shred the chicken

Remove the chicken breasts, shred with two forks, and stir the pieces back into the pot.

5️⃣ Make it creamy

Lower the heat and stir in the sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese, lime juice, and cilantro. Let it warm for 3 minutes until smooth and creamy.

6️⃣ Garnish and serve

Ladle into bowls, top with queso fresco, and maybe a little extra cilantro if you’re feeling fancy. Pair with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping.

Cooking Tips for the Best Soup

Too thick? Add a splash of broth or milk to loosen it up.
Too spicy? Stir in extra sour cream—it cools things down beautifully.
Make it vegetarian: Swap the chicken for black beans and use veggie broth.
Meal prep win: This soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors mingle.

Mexican Street Corn Soup with roasted corn, cilantro, queso fresco, and fresh lime wedges in a rustic bowl. — A hearty bowl of Mexican Street Corn Soup, garnished with roasted corn, cilantro, queso fresco, and lime for a fresh, comforting finish.

FAQs About Slow Cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup

Can I use frozen corn instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Fire-roasted frozen corn is perfect here—it adds smoky depth without any extra effort.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.

Can I freeze this soup?

Yes, but wait to add the sour cream and cheese until after thawing. Dairy doesn’t always freeze well.

What can I serve with this soup?

Warm tortillas, tortilla chips, or even a simple green salad balance it out beautifully.

Bringing It All Together

This Mexican Street Corn Soup is everything you want on a busy night—simple, creamy, and packed with flavor that tastes like it took way more effort than it did. Whether you make it on the stovetop or as a slow cooker Mexican Street Corn Soup, it’s bound to become a repeat request at your dinner table. And let’s be real: any recipe that lets you sneak in a little comfort with minimal effort is a keeper in my book.

More Recipes You’ll Love

To keep the comfort food vibes going, here are a few delicious recipes that pair perfectly with this soup:

Try this sweet and savory Honey Glazed Corn Casserole for another corn-based comfort dish.
If you loved the chicken in this soup, you’ll also enjoy the cheesy goodness of Crockpot Chicken Parmesan.
For a fun twist on taco night, whip up Crockpot Taco Pasta—a hearty one-pot wonder.
And if you want to stick with cozy bowls, this creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup is a must-try.

If you make this Mexican Street Corn Soup, I’d love for you to leave a review below and share how it turned out for you! Your feedback helps others (and totally makes my day). And if you’re looking for more cozy, flavor-packed recipes, don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest for daily kitchen inspiration!