This Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn is proof that a single pan and twenty minutes can get you dinner that tastes like a dream. The chicken thighs sear first and leave behind all the flavourful juices in the pan, which becomes the base for the creamed corn. By the time the corn, jalapeños, and cheese go in, they’re picking up everything the chicken left behind. You will be dreaming of this one in your sleep!
I’m all about a one-pan dinner, especially when I can get it on the table in around twenty minutes. This one delivers on both: chicken thighs seasoned heavily with smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder, seared until deeply golden, then plated over a jalapeño creamed corn made right in the same pan. Sautéed onion, jalapeño, and garlic form the base, and then cream cheese, heavy cream, and sharp cheddar turn it rich and a little spicy. Want similar dishes? Try my Honey Mustard Chicken or Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad.
😍 Why You’ll Love This Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn
One pan, one clean-up: the chicken sears first, and the creamed corn cooks right in the same pan using all that leftover flavour.
Ready in about 20 minutes: this comes together fast enough for a weeknight, without cutting any corners on flavour.
Creamy, spicy, and cheesy: cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and heavy cream come together with jalapeños for a dish that’s rich with just the right amount of heat.
Big flavour from simple seasonings: smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and oregano coat the chicken thighs and give them a well-seasoned crust.
🌽 Ingredients You’ll Need To Make This Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn
For the Chicken:
Olive oil: adds a bit of richness to the juices the chicken leaves behind.
Butter: deepens the flavour of the sear and helps the seasoning form a nice crust on the chicken.
Chicken thighs: thighs stay juicy and hold up well to a hot pan sear, and their fat renders into the pan for extra flavour.
Salt: seasons the chicken directly and helps that golden crust develop.
Pepper: adds a straightforward, sharp heat.
Onion powder: adds a savoury depth to the seasoning blend without any added texture.
Dried cilantro: brings a bright, herby note to the chicken’s crust.
Chili powder: adds warmth and a subtle earthy heat to the seasoning.
Dried oregano: rounds out the spice blend with a woodsy, savoury note.
Smoked paprika: gives the chicken its deep colour and a smoky flavour.
Cumin: adds a warm, earthy backbone to the seasoning that pairs well with the jalapeños.
For the Jalapeño Creamed Corn:
Canned corn: soaks up all the flavour from the pan and the seasonings.
Yellow onion: finely chopped and sautéed until soft.
Jalapeños: they bring the spice that gives this dish its name.
Garlic: cooks just enough to turn fragrant without burning.
Cream cheese: melts into the cream to give the corn its thick, velvety texture.
Sharp cheddar: shredded and stirred in at the end so it melts smoothly and adds bold flavour.
Heavy cream: loosens the cream cheese and cheddar into a smooth, pourable sauce.
Dried cilantro: adds the same bright, herby note found in the chicken seasoning.
Chili powder: reinforces the mild heat running through the dish.
Salt: balances the richness of the cream cheese and cheddar — taste before adding more, since both cheeses already bring saltiness.
For Topping (Optional):
Fresh cilantro: chopped and scattered on top for a fresh, herby finish.
Ranch or blue cheese dressing: drizzled over the top for a cool, tangy contrast to the heat and richness underneath.
Fresh lime: a squeeze right before serving brightens up the whole plate.
✔ How To Make Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn
Begin by patting the chicken thighs with paper towel. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
To a small bowl, mix together the remaining chicken seasonings.
Add the seasonings to both sides of the chicken thighs, ensuring all parts of the chicken have been coated evenly.
To a large pan, set to medium/high heat, add the olive oil and butter.
Once hot, add the chicken thighs and pan fry on each side for 3-4 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the pan, set aside and cover with foil to keep warm.
To the same pan add the onions and jalapeños and let sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Next, add the garlic, corn, creamed corn seasonings, and let sauté for an additional 2 minutes on medium heat.
Add the heavy cream and cream cheese and mix together until the cream cheese has melted into the cream.
Add the shredded cheddar and let simmer for about 2 minutes or until it has melted and the creamed corn has thickened.
🤝 Sammy’s Tip for Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn
- Add another splash of cream if you need to thin it out.
Taste here for any additional seasoning. Add the creamy jalapeño corn to a plate, top with the chicken thighs, a drizzle of ranch, fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Enjoy right away!
🗒 Variations
Extra spicy: leave some of the jalapeño seeds in, or add a pinch of cayenne to the corn for more heat.
Swap the protein: this creamed corn works just as well under seared shrimp or a pan-fried pork chop if you want to switch things up.
Different cheese: try pepper jack in place of the cheddar for even more heat, or Monterey Jack for a milder, meltier finish.
Smoky twist: add a pinch of chipotle powder to the corn along with the smoked paprika already in the chicken rub for even deeper smoky flavour.
🗒 Substitutions
Chicken thighs: boneless, skinless chicken breasts work here too, though you’ll want to pound them to an even thickness first so they cook through at the same rate.
Canned corn: frozen corn, thawed, or fresh corn cut off the cob both work well in place of canned.
Jalapeños: swap in a poblano pepper for a milder, slightly smokier flavour, or a serrano pepper if you want more heat.
Heavy cream: half-and-half works in a pinch, though the sauce won’t be quite as thick and rich.
Sharp cheddar: Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a mild cheddar are all good substitutes if that’s what you have on hand.
🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat the chicken and creamed corn together in a pan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, or microwave in 30-second intervals until hot. The corn may thicken in the fridge, so add a small splash of cream or milk when reheating to loosen it back up.
🤔 FAQ’S
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken breasts will work, but pound them to an even thickness first so they cook through at the same rate as the thighs would. Keep an eye on them since breasts can dry out faster in a hot pan.
How spicy is this dish?
It’s mild to medium, mostly coming from the jalapeños in the corn. If you want less heat, remove the seeds and ribs from the jalapeños before chopping. For more heat, leave some seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne.
Can I make the creamed corn ahead of time?
You can make it a day ahead and store it in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stove with a splash of cream to bring it back to a smooth consistency before adding the chicken.
What can I serve with this?
This dish is pretty filling on its own, but a simple green salad or some crusty bread to scoop up the extra creamed corn would round it out nicely.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Freezing isn’t recommended here. The cream-based sauce can separate and turn grainy once thawed, so this one’s best enjoyed fresh or from fridge leftovers within a few days.
Can I use fresh corn instead of canned?
Yep! Cut the kernels off two to three ears of fresh corn, or use the same amount of frozen corn, thawed. Either will work well in place of canned.
👩🍳 Hungry For More?
If you loved this Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn, then make sure to check out a few of my other recipes you may also love:
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Maple Mustard Chicken Thighs with Potatoes and Veggies
- Jalapeño Popper Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Jalapeño Popper Dip
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Creamed Corn Ravioli with Crispy Prosciutto & Pea Shoots
💌 Let’s Stay Connected
Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.
Chicken Thighs with Jalapeño Creamed Corn
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 tbsp olive oil, to fry the chicken
- 1 tbsp butter, to fry the chicken
- 6 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried cilantro
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cumin
Creamed Corn:
- 1½ cups canned corn (or approx 341 mL)
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup jalapeños, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup cream cheese
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 tsp dried cilantro
- 1/4 tsp chilli powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Toppings:
- fresh cilantro, chopped, optional
- ranch or blue cheese, optional
- fresh lime, optional
Instructions
- Begin by patting the chicken thighs with paper towel. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
- To a small bowl, mix together the remaining chicken seasonings.
- Add the seasonings to both sides of the chicken thighs, ensuring all parts of the chicken have been coated evenly.
- To a large pan, set to medium/high heat, add the olive oil and butter.
- Once hot, add the chicken thighs and pan fry on each side for 3-4 minutes. Once cooked, remove from the pan, set aside and cover with foil to keep warm.
- To the same pan add the onions and jalapeños and let sauté for 3 to 4 minutes. Next, add the garlic, corn, creamed corn seasonings, and let sauté for an additional 2 minutes on medium heat.
- Add the heavy cream and cream cheese and mix together until the cream cheese has melted into the cream.
- Add the shredded cheddar and let simmer for about 2 minutes or until it has melted and the creamed corn has thickened.Sammy's tip: add another splash of cream if you need to thin it out.
- Taste here for any additional seasioning.
- Add the creamy jalapeño corn to a plate, top with the chicken thighs, a drizzle of ranch, fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime.
- Enjoy right away!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Let’s stay connected!
Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest! Also, if you do make this recipe (or any recipe of mine for that matter) be sure to tag #sammymontgoms so I can see your re-creations!
Amazing! Made this tonight, so easy and had all of the ingredients on hand. Definitely adding this to the rotation!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a review and I am so glad that you enjoyed it!
My 13 and 15 year old always starving boys made the following comments….’WHAT!!!! This is AMAZING!!! What is this!!?? This is INCREDIBLE!!! This meal needs to be on a nightly rotation!!!” Absolutely delicious!!! Can’t wait to make more of your recipes! Thank you : )
Hi Jackson- thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a review it means so much to me! So happy the boys loved it.
I was hoping to make this recipe for 2 weeks now! I made it tonight, and it was delicious! I’m so excited to see what my boyfriend thinks! I definitely do agree using Chicken thighs is the way to go! I used a small can of diced jalapenos, and there were some seeds but I think the spice was perfect! I also used 2 small cobs of fresh corn and added some frozen corn. Soooo good! Thank you so much!❤️
Hi Sam! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review! I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe! xo – Sammy
We have made 8 recipes from your page and truly, genuinely love them all. But this was very, very good! Like, really very good. Thank you!
8 recipes!!?? My goodness I love ya LOL. Thanks for making my recipes, it means so much to me. Thank you! And I am so glad you enjoyed this one, I agree, it’s a good one!!
Probably the best think I’ve made in a while! Thank you so much!
Easy to execute and love that this is a one-pot meal. Very budget friendly and I was able to use up some pantry/fridge leftovers! Only thing missing for me was texture, but I’m a big fan of crunchy things! Next time I might add some crispy jalapeños on top 🙂 Really enjoyed this — thank you!
I made this tonight and the family asked for it to go to our family favorites folder! I doubled the spices because we like a lot of flavor and topped it with Mexican crema. My daughter doesn’t particularly like corn raved about it! I doubled the amount of thighs I made since I got a value pack at the store. I’ll serve those cut up over salad tomorrow so I don’t have to cook. Absolutely delicious!!! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!!
Have made this a couple of times now and everyone in my house loves it! Was skeptical about the corn but it’s incredible
Hi Jackie-thank you for leaving this review! I very much appreciate it and I am so glad everyone ended up liking the dish!
Sammy! This was delicious! Love that the flavors came from seasonings and not a lot of salt. That seasoned chicken I would it eat any day, perhaps I’ll even try grilling it! Yum! The corn could stand on its own as well, but together this was fabulous!
My family and I LOOOOOVE this recipe!!! The seasonings on the chicken are perfection. We will definitely be having this more often!!! Easy delicious meal. Thank you for sharing
So delicious!! Your creations are always amazing. Keep them coming!!
Hi Sydney! You are so sweet. Thank you!
This was really good! I used frozen corn and it was awesome.
I browned some panko in butter and sprinkled it on top. It was really nice texturally and made it more jalapeno poppery!
This was delicious! Loved that it was made in one pan and came together quickly. Even my picky boyfriend went back for seconds.
I’ve had this saved for a while and finally made it last night. Girl, you have got to be kidding me. Seriously one of the easiest, most delicious things I’ve ever had. Equally creamy and spicy! This is going in the permanent rotation.
Hi Kait! So glad you got around to making this one! Thank you for taking the tine to leave a review! xo- Sammy
So delicious! I really enjoy your recipes and videos! Thank you so much!!
My husband said this may be his fav recipe this year! Thats big! Your recipes are easy for me to follow and lots of flavor in there. I look forward to your cookbook one day!!!
Hi Vicki – I appreciate you being here. Thank you for this very sweet comment, xo-Sammy
A perfect weeknight meal and definitely going into the rotation. My husband made it and it was soooo good! Thank you for the recipe!
Hi Tracey – thanks for leaving a review! SO happy you enjoyed this one, it’s such an easy go-to when you need something quick! – Sammy
Can’t wait to make this! Question – if someone doesn’t like spice, do you think subbing diced green chiles would still be flavorful enough?
Hi Nik! You bet, those or green peppers would still taste great!
Fabulous flavor for the chicken and we can make it less calorie rich but keep the seasonings. I followed the recipe, except for cilantro ( swapped parsley) and will make it again. Thank you for working so hard to make dinners is easy.
Hi Mary, thank you for this very sweet comment, you just made my night. -Sammy
This was AMAZING!!!
I’ve never rated a recipe before but my toddler took one bite of this, his eyes lit up, a smile spread across his face, and he did a slow nod. I have never seen him do that before haha! This recipe is so yummy. My husband and I loved it just as much as our little guy. Notes: the chicken took me quite a bit longer to cook through than 3-4 minutes on either side. I added more salt and pepper to the corn at the point when Sammy said to check for seasonings. Overall, amazing!!
I don’t leave reviews often, but when I do they’re FIRE. This is in my weekly dinner rotation and is so satisfying over some rice!!! Super easy to make and easy to modify as I’m dairy free. 🙂
Hi Rachel! That makes me SO happy! Thanks for the review 😉
I added Orzo to this recipe the second time I made it and that was good too!
I cannot wait to make this!!! Thank you Sammy!
You have to make this, it’s phenomenal!
What a great combination! Great recipe! Thank you.
The mildly spicy jalapeños creamed corn paired so well with the seasoned chicken thighs. Quick easy and absolutely delicious. Will definitely be on rotation in this house.
This is definitely going into our regular rotation! I used sharp white cheddar and frozen corn and it was such a win!