Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe (Applebee’s Copycat)

We know some people prefer watching a video over reading, so we’ve found some helpful videos and added them to this post.

Now, let’s dive into the delicious world of Fiesta Lime Chicken, a copycat recipe that brings the beloved flavors of Applebee’s right to your kitchen.

This dish tastes like Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken with chicken breasts soaked in a tangy mix that’s like fajitas.

There’s also Mexican ranch and cheese that turns each bite into something tasty and creamy.

It’s great for family meals, giving you that dining-out feeling at home.

This recipe is good because you pick the ingredients, making it healthier than what you might get at a restaurant.

It has juicy chicken, a tangy marinade, and rich salsa ranch, all with melted cheese on top.

Add some tortilla strips for crunch and pico de gallo for freshness.

Dinner is ready, and it’s a hit.

Exact Ingredients You’ll Need

Starting your Fiesta Lime Chicken adventure needs the right items. You’ll want boneless, skinless chicken breasts first. The marinade mix includes lime juice, soy sauce, taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and some honey. This blend gives your dish a tangy kick.

“The marinade of lime juice, soy sauce, and taco seasoning blends seamlessly with olive oil and honey to give the chicken a zesty, well-balanced flavor.”

Next, let’s gather the salsa ranch ingredients. Grab ranch dressing, any salsa you like, sour cream, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Mix them for a creamy and tangy topping. It goes great with the marinated chicken.

When it comes to cheese, pick what you love. Cheddar, Colby-Jack, or Monterey Jack work well to make your dish cheesy. They also go nicely with the salsa ranch. This adds a creamy taste to your meal.

Tortilla strips are a must. They add a crunch that brings your whole dish together well. Top your creation with them for a great ending.

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Lime juice, soy sauce, taco seasoning
• Worcestershire sauce, olive or avocado oil, honey
• Ranch dressing, salsa, sour cream, lime juice, cilantro
• Sliced or shredded cheddar, Colby-Jack, Monterey Jack
• Tortilla strips

Step-by-Step Instructions

To make the perfect Fiesta Lime Chicken, follow these steps carefully. Each step is important for a flavorful meal. Here’s the recipe:

1. Tenderize and marinate the chicken: First, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This step helps them cook evenly. Make a chicken marinade with lime juice, soy sauce, taco seasoning, and more. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to make it tasty.
2. Bake the chicken: Set your oven to 375°F to warm up. Put the chicken in a dish, making sure they don’t touch. Use the baking instructions to bake them just right. After 20-25 minutes, they should be almost ready.
3. Prepare the salsa ranch sauce: Mix ranch dressing, salsa, sour cream, lime juice, and cilantro in a bowl. This is your Mexican ranch recipe.
4. Add sauce and cheese: When the chicken is almost done, take it out. Pour the salsa ranch sauce over it. Then, add your favorite cheese on top. Cheddar or Monterey Jack work great for this cheesy chicken.
5. Finish baking: Put the chicken back in the oven. Bake it for 5-10 more minutes. Wait until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve and enjoy: Now, your meal is ready. Serve the chicken with tortilla strips. Add some lime, pico de gallo, and cilantro for a delicious touch.

Tips & Tricks

Make the best Fiesta Lime Chicken by doing more than just following a recipe. Here are recipe tips so your dish is as good as Applebee’s:

• Tenderizing chicken evenly is key for good cooking. Use a meat mallet to make the chicken breasts the same thickness.
• To make the flavor just right, create your own homemade taco seasoning. It lets you choose how spicy and what goes in it.
• Change how hot your spicy salsa ranch is by adding more or less jalapeños. Or pick a salsa that’s not too spicy if you like.
• Healthy swaps can be fun. Try using cauliflower rice instead of tortilla strips. It cuts the carbs but you still get that great crunch.
• Make extra salsa ranch and pico de gallo. They’re great with the chicken. Plus, they can make other dinners tasty all week long.

Serving Suggestions

Want to make your Fiesta Lime Chicken meal better? Try Mexican side dishes. Add lime crema for a zest. And guacamole makes it taste even better.

Need something more filling? Go for Instant Pot Mexican Rice. It’s flavorful and fragrant. In addition, dishes like Mexican street corn salad or cilantro lime rice are great. They make your meal colorful and satisfying, no matter what you like.

Also, try Mexican soups with your meal. They bring fun and flavor, making your meal special. Pick your favorite sides to go with your Fiesta Lime Chicken.

How to Store

Want to keep enjoying Fiesta Lime Chicken after the meal? Here’s how. Put leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for 3-4 days this way.

Keeping the container airtight is really important. It helps the flavors stay strong and stops your fridge from smelling bad.

If you want to keep the chicken for longer, think about freezing it. Put it in a freezer-safe container. It can stay good for up to 3 months this way. Just know the ranch sauce might change a bit when frozen.

When you want to eat it, warm the chicken up in the oven at 350°F. Or, use the microwave. This will keep the chicken yummy and juicy, no matter how long it’s been frozen.

Storing food right helps you not waste it and saves time when making meals. With airtight or freezer-safe containers, you can enjoy Fiesta Lime Chicken more. Now, your leftover chicken can still be fresh and tasty!