Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe (Applebee’s Copycat)

Got a hankering for Applebee’s fiesta lime chicken? Skip the bill and have it on the table in just 35 minutes!

Yes, really!

The juicy chicken, creamy dressing, and crunchy corn chips are a party on a plate. And believe it or not, this copycat recipe is better than the original!

Copycat Fiesta Lime Chicken

Tired of the same chicken dinner? Then it’s time to throw this Applebee’s fiesta lime chicken into the mix.

It has all the flavor you want without a big fuss. 

The smoky, citrusy, tequila-spiked marinated chicken is good on its own.

Add the creamy dressing, gooey cheese, and corn chips to the mix and it’s a party.

It’s quick enough for weeknights, impressive enough for barbecues, and festive enough for Cinco de Mayo.

It’s not called fiesta chicken for no reason!

Ingredients

Sure, this recipe calls for a lot of ingredients, but they’re all so basic, I bet you have them lying around in the kitchen right now. 

• Corn Chips – The crunchy element usually found at the bottom of the dish. I prefer them on the side so they stay crunchy.

• Chicken Breast – The star of the dish! Applebee’s uses chicken breasts, so that’s what this recipe calls for. But you can use other cuts of chicken, like tenders or thighs. 

• Marinade – Use teriyaki sauce, lime juice, garlic, ginger, tequila, and liquid smoke to make the chicken mind-blowingly delicious!

• Homemade Dressing – An ultra-creamy sauce that adds richness to the chicken. Use mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, milk, Cajun blackened spice mix, dried parsley, hot sauce, and dill weed.

• Colby-Monterey Jack cheese – Because everything tastes better with cheese! This recipe uses Colby-Monterey Jack, but you can use other types of cheese that melt well.

How to Make Fiesta Lime Chicken

Fiesta lime chicken is not only full of flavor, but it’s also quick. So you can fix it up any night of the week. 

Just follow these steps:

1. Make the marinade. Mix the water, teriyaki sauce, lime juice, garlic cloves, tequila, liquid smoke, salt, and ginger.

2. Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and coat them with the mixture. Let the chicken marinate for 2 hours.

3. Make the creamy dressing. Mix the mayo, sour cream, salsa, milk, spice mix, parsley, hot sauce, and dill weed in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate.

4. Preheat the grill to 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. Grill the chicken. About 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until they’re cooked through.

6. Dress the chicken and broil. Slather the chicken with the dressing and top with cheese. Then broil until the cheese melts.

At this point, it’s ready to devour.

For the most authentic dinner, arrange the crushed corn chips on a serving plate and serve the chicken on top.

For my version, serve the chips on the side with your other extras (rice, salsa, etc.) and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Chicken

Want to make the most succulent, tender chicken? Then follow this advice:

• Let the chicken marinate. I know it’s hard, but this is a crucial step. The chicken needs to sit for at least 2 hours to absorb all the amazing flavors.

• Pound the chicken. Place the chicken in a plastic bag and pound to get even slices. A meat mallet or rolling pin both work. It helps the meat cook evenly and makes it deliciously tender!

• Let the chicken rest before serving. Give it time – about 5 minutes – to reabsorb all the juices released while cooking. That way, you’ll get a nice and juicy bite.

• Use a meat thermometer. The best way to check for doneness is with a meat thermometer. When it reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the chicken is done.

Best Sides for Fiesta Lime Chicken

This is such a versatile dish that you can pair it with almost anything. Here are some side dishes to choose from:

Mexican Rice. I’m a huge fan of rice with chicken! Go for zippy Mexican rice or cool cilantro -lime. Either way, it makes the dish more filling.

Salad. With all the cheese and creamy dressing, it’s no secret that this dish is packed with umami goodness. So pair it with a light and refreshing salad. Use a vinaigrette dressing to help cut through the richness of the cheese.

Vegetables. Whether it’s mashed potatoes or baked asparagus or roasted cauliflower, you can’t go wrong. Lime chicken tastes amazing with any veggie dish.

Corn Salsa. I think corn goes so well with this dish (and any dish!). It’s colorful, crisp, and brings nice pops of sweetness.

Other Dishes to Make with This

Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken is the definition of summer perfection.

Here’s another awesome thing about it: you can easily transform it into other dishes.

Here are some of my favorite ways to use up leftovers:

• Tacos, Enchiladas, Quesadillas, Burritos, and Burrito Bowls. All you’ll need are tortillas, cheese, beans, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole, and your Mexican feast is complete.

• Nachos. It’s the same concept as above but with an added crunch. Place tortilla chips, cheese, beans, salsa, and lime chicken in one bowl and devour it like no one’s looking!

• Chicken Salad. Are you trying to cut back on calories? Slice up some lime chicken and top it on a bed of lettuce. Toss in your favorite salad add-ins and dressing, and voila!

• Grilled Chicken Panini. Sandwich sliced chicken with extra salsa and cheese in a baguette. Then, press it until grilled and hot.

How to Store Fiesta Lime Chicken

Do you have fiesta lime chicken left over after dinner? No problem, store it for later.

If you want to freeze the chicken, I recommend leaving off the dressing and cheese. It won’t have the best texture when thawed.

To Store: Transfer the cooled chicken to an airtight container. Refrigerate and enjoy within 3-4 days.

To Freeze: Place the chicken in a freezer-friendly zip-top bag without the dressing and cheese topping. Freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or microwave until heated thoroughly.

For frozen chicken, add the dressing and cheese after reheating. Then broil until cheese is melty.

More Yummy Chicken Dishes to Try

Chicken Piccata
Ritz Cracker Chicken
No-Peek Chicken
Coca Cola Chicken
Melt in Your Mouth Chicken