I just love recreating favorite restaurant dishes in my kitchen, and this easy recipe for Fiesta Lime Chicken is such a perfect recreation of an Applebee’s favorite! When you look at it, this recipe is not all that complicated. Chicken breasts are marinated in a flavorful honey lime mixture, then grilled, either on your outdoor grill or indoors on a grill pan. To finish it off, we’ll broil the cooked chicken topped with a creamy taco-seasoned ranch dressing and plenty of shredded cheddar cheese. The “fiesta” really gets started when we serve this dish, with crispy tortilla strips, homemade pico de gallo salsa, and Mexican Rice. It’s just like you’d get at Applebees, but better, because you made it yourself! If you want to try more restaurant copycat recipes, I’ve got you covered. Try my versions of Cheesecake Factory’s Crusted Romano Chicken, Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad, or homemade Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets
What Makes Applebees Fiesta Lime Chicken So good
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Applebee’s chicken copycat: Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Chicken Breasts: This recipe serves four people, one chicken breast each. Lime Juice: We’re adding lime to the chicken marinade and to the dressing. be sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice, and nothing from a bottle. For the Marinade: Honey, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. Ranch Dressing: Use your favorite bottled dressing, or try my easy homemade ranch instead. Taco Seasoning: To add the “Mexi” to the Mexi-ranch dressing. Store bought seasoning works fine, but my homemade taco seasoning is really delicious. Cheddar Cheese: If you’d rather not use cheddar, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack are good alternatives. Tortilla Strips: This are usually found near the salad dressings and toppings in the grocery store. You can also just crush up whole corn chips for a similar effect. Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro is the perfect garnish for this Tex-Mex meal. Pico De Gallo: This fresh salsa made with onion, tomatoes, and jalapeno goes perfectly with this chicken. Rice: To match with the Applebee’s classic, serve fiesta lime chicken with a side of Spanish rice or Mexican Rice.
How To Make Fiesta Lime Chicken at Home
Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe Tips
Instead of chicken breasts, feel free to substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders. Prep ahead: You can prepare the marinade and mexi-ranch dressing up to a day ahead of time. Just store them in airtight containers in the fridge until you’re ready to use them. Use a clean grill. Before grilling the chicken, be sure that your grill grates are clean and brushed with oil. This will prevent the meat from sticking. Instead of grilling outdoors, you can cook the chicken on a grill pan on your stovetop! You could also bake chicken breasts or cook them in the air fryer before adding the toppings and broiling them. Don’t have any honey? Make the marinade using maple syrup or agave nectar instead.
Storing Tips
To store leftover Fiesta Lime Chicken, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or oven until heated through, being careful not to overcook the chicken. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the the tortilla chips and cheese won’t have the same texture once reheated. You can however freeze grilled chicken breasts for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Fiesta Lime Chicken
If you want to do it like Applebee’s does, serve your chicken with a side of Mexican Rice and some fresh Pico de Gallo. Fiesta lime chicken is also delicious with grilled veggie kabobs, cilantro lime rice, chips and homemade guacamole, or my cheesy Mexican Street Corn Salad. For dessert, why not try an easy Mexican Fruit Salad, or Churro Cheesecake bars!
Can I Make this recipe with chicken thighs?
Yes you can! Replace the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless thighs for even juicier, more flavorful meat.
Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
It’s best to marinate fiesta lime chicken for no more than 2 hours. After that time, the lime juice will start to break down the fibers of the chicken. Once that happens, the chicken can get mushy and soft.
Is Fiesta Lime Chicken gluten free?
On Applebee’s menu, Fiesta Lime Chicken is listed as a “gluten sensitive” option, as it is made without any gluten containing ingredients! This homemade fiesta lime chicken is the same. Be sure to check your taco seasoning and tortilla strips for gluten ingredients and you should be all set! Skip the trip to the chain restaurant, it’s easy to make this version of Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken at home! Be sure to Pin this recipe for the next time you’re in the mood for a delicious Tex-Mex Chicken meal that the whole family will love. © Little Sunny Kitchen
