Description
Applebees Fiesta Lime Chicken brings zesty Mexican-inspired flavors right to your dinner table with crispy chicken and a tangy lime marinade. Recreate this restaurant favorite at home and savor each mouthwatering bite of spicy, grilled goodness that makes weeknight dinners feel special.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
Dairy:
- 1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon milk
Marinade and Seasonings:
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
- ½ cup lime juice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon tequila
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 tablespoons chunky and spicy salsa
- 1 teaspoon Cajun blackened spice mix
- ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon hot sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon dried dill weed
- 2 cups corn chips, crushed
Instructions
- Whisk 1 cup water, ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce, ½ cup lime juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon tequila, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground ginger into a vibrant marinade.
- Submerge 1 pound chicken breasts completely in the marinade. Refrigerate for 2 hours to infuse deep flavor.
- Blend ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons salsa, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 teaspoon Cajun spice, ¼ teaspoon parsley, ¼ teaspoon hot sauce, and ⅛ teaspoon dill weed into a creamy sauce.
- Heat grill to 400°F with clean, oiled grates.
- Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry. Discard remaining liquid.
- Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Generously brush grilled chicken with prepared sauce.
- Sprinkle 1 cup Colby-Monterey Jack cheese over warm chicken.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden.
- Plate chicken over 2 cups crushed corn chips for authentic crunch.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours to ensure deep, complex flavor absorption and tender meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness, preventing overcooking and keeping the meat juicy.
- For a lower-carb version, replace corn chips with a crisp salad base or cauliflower rice.
- If tequila isn’t available, substitute with white wine or extra lime juice to maintain the marinade’s bright profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 544 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 890 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg