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Copycat Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken
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Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken is a copycat recipe that you can easily make at home. The chicken is grilled, covered in creamy mexi-ranch dressing and cheese, and served on a bed of corn chips.
serves/makes:
ready in:
2-5 hrs
2-5 hrs
12 reviews
3 comments
ingredients
1 pound boned, skinned chicken breasts
1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese
2 cups coarsely crushed corn chips
Marinade
1 cup water
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
1/2 lime, juiced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon tequila
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Creamy Mexi-Ranch Dressing
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chunky salsa
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1/8 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
directions
Add the water, teriyaki sauce, lime juice, garlic, tequila, liquid smoke, salt and ginger to a zip-top plastic bag. Add the chicken breasts, seal the bag, and turn the bag to coat the chicken in the marinade. Place the bag in the refrigerator and marinate for 2-6 hours.
In a bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, milk, Cajun seasoning, parsley, hot sauce, dill and cumin. Mix well then cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator while the chicken marinates.
When ready, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discard the marinade, and place the chicken on the grill. Cook over direct heat for 3-5 minutes per side or until cooked through.
Brush the chicken with the creamy dressing. Top the chicken with the cheese (you can put the chicken on foil first to prevent the cheese from dripping on the grill). Close the grill and cook just long enough for the cheese to melt.
Place the corn chips on a plate. Place the chicken on the corn chips and serve immediately. Serve with Spanish rice and pico de gallo for a dinner just like at Applebee's.
nutrition data
509 calories, 32 grams fat, 19 grams carbohydrates, 37 grams protein per serving. This recipe is low in carbs.
Please note:
This is a copy cat recipe submitted to CDKitchen by a third-party. This recipe is not an original recipe unless specifically stated and is considered only to be an acceptable "clone" to the original for the home cook to attempt to duplicate. Please also note that many nationwide restaurant chains vary their menus and ingredients by region so the version provided may not be similar to what you may have tried before. All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.
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reviews & comments
July 27, 2011
We cook this meal all the time and love it. Just a HINT: When I'm in a hurry (I have four kids and a military hubby) I grab a thing of sour cream 16oz and a fiesta packet in the dressing aisle and mix the two and it has the exact same taste and a lot quicker to brush onto the chicken in a hurry. Plus then you have a whole lot to use with chips, veggies or whatever when dinner is done.
March 23, 2011
I thought this was absolutely wonderful and tasted just like Applebees. I used Fat Free Mayo and Fat Free Sour Cream and you couldn't tell the difference.
September 10, 2010
This is one of my familys' newest, favortie recipes now put into rotation!!! We marinaded the night before and it made the chicken breasts that much more juicy and flavorfull! It was amazing - a MUST try!
July 23, 2010
Thanks so much for this recipe. I was very bummed when Applebee's stopped marinating the chicken and started putting the glaze on it. NOT the same dish at all. I have been craving this for a long time! Thanks from my entire family!
Close enough. It was very good. I found some Fiesta Lime Tortilla Strips by New York Texas Toast. They gave it more of the original flavor even though the strips at Applebee's are multi colored and not flavored. I might leave out the liquisd smoke when I try it the next time and just grill it over the coals. Will keep this in my file.
November 23, 2009
I just marinated my chicken in lime juice over night and like tripled the recipe. I used colby/jack cheese, tostito chips with a hint of lime, and tositos medium salsa. I mixed the mayo cheese chips and salsa all together along with sour cream, and after I fried the chicken, I topped it with the topping, and baked it for like 30 mins. It was great, alot easier and cheaper than the restaraut version, and my husband said he liked it better than at the restaurant!
I am a cook at applebees and we dont marinate the chicken breast. It is grilled and laid on a bed of red white and blue tortilla strips. Then cilantro glaze and mexican ranch dressing are drizzled on top of the chicken. We add shredded colby jack and it is put into a melt oven.
June 11, 2009
This was delicious. This is also my favorite item @ Applebee's. The only thing I've never liked in the dish @ Applebee's is the burned flavor. I omitted the Cajun Blackened Spice and it did not taste burned. I will make forever @ home. Also I sliced Corn Tortillas thinly and fried them and served with the dish just like Applebee's. Thanks for this awesome recipe.
May 11, 2009
Fabulous! My family loved it! The sauce is even good to make as a chip dip.
April 28, 2009
I'm not really a good cook so my hubby and I live on restaurant food. In an effort to start cooking at home more, I made this recipe just to see how it would turn out because regular chicken is so boring. I omitted the tequila and liquid smoke just because I didn't really think I needed them. Oh my gosh!! This recipe was awesome! Its a pretty good ringer for the real thing at applebees and it tasted just as good heated up the next day! The flavor was great and my hubby couldn't get enough! I can't wait to make it again.
June 1, 2008
This was REALLY good-- especially the marinade. (You could even eliminate the mayo-based sauce.) I modified the recipe significantly to make it more flavorful, more healthy, and (for my kids' sake) less spicy-hot. For the marinade, I'd suggest: doubling the lime, garlic, & ginger. Tequila & liquid smoke can be omitted. Add a teaspoon of minced hot chili pepper or crushed red pepper. Marinating for an hour is enough. Longer is better. For the sauce, reduce the ratio of mayo (for health). Use fat-free sour cream. Better not to use milk. (Too watery). Probably don't really need dill, cumin, or parsley. (Maybe extra cajun spice instead.) Skip the cheese and baking step (for health). Serve the sauce on the side (or decoratively drizzled around the outside of the plate) so that people who like it can use it. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve a dab of pico de gallo on the side. This meal would go great with corn-on-the-cob and/or some soutwestern-style baked beans or cajun style red-beans.
Thank you so much for posting this. I'm headed to the grocery store right now to get the ingredients, I already have a few of the condiments and the chicken breasts. Your recipe will save me a ton of money, as this is my favorite dish on their menu. xoxo
February 8, 2008
This is my favorite dish to order at Applebee's! Now I can enjoy it anytime at home. The preparation is easy and the taste is ridiculously yummy! Do not be afraid to try this one.
July 16, 2007
very delicious!
July 15, 2007
I was surprised at how good this was. I haven't had the "real" one at Applebee's but I would definatly make this again. However, it is a bit spicy, I have small kids and it was too spicy for them, and for me.