Description
Applebees Fiesta Lime Chicken brings zesty Mexican-inspired flavors straight to your dinner table. Crispy chicken draped in tangy lime marinade creates a restaurant-quality meal that sparks dinnertime excitement.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade and Seasonings:
- 1 cup lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper
Toppings:
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup tortilla strips
- ½ cup pico de gallo
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Mix 1 cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and paprika with salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Submerge 4 chicken breasts completely in the marinade.
- Let chicken absorb flavors for 30 minutes at room temperature, turning once halfway through to ensure even coating.
- Heat grill or grill pan to 400°F. Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels to promote perfect searing.
- Place chicken breasts on hot grill surface. Cook for 6-7 minutes on first side until golden brown grill marks appear.
- Flip chicken carefully and grill additional 6-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F at thickest point.
- Sprinkle ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese over each chicken breast during final 2 minutes of cooking. Allow cheese to melt slightly.
- Transfer grilled chicken to serving plates. Top each piece with 2 tablespoons fresh pico de gallo and ¼ cup crispy tortilla strips.
- Garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for extra zesty flavor.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but no more than 2 hours to prevent the acid from breaking down the meat texture.
- Check the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F without overcooking and drying out.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular tortilla strips with corn tortilla strips or crushed gluten-free corn chips.
- If grilling outdoors isn’t possible, use a cast-iron grill pan or broil the chicken in the oven for similar caramelized results.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 361 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg