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Applebee’s Copycat Fiesta Lime Chicken

fiesta lime chicken - Tasty
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Make this restaurant-style Fiesta Lime Chicken at home. You get zesty, lime-marinated chicken topped with creamy Mexi-Ranch sauce and melted cheese for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

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  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup lime juice, fresh
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup salsa (mild or medium)
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • For serving: Tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, avocado slices

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken marinade: In a bowl, combine the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Place the chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
  2. Prepare the Mexi-Ranch sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the salsa, ranch dressing, sour cream, and lime zest until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Cook the chicken: You can grill or bake the chicken. For grilling, preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, until cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, until cooked through.
  4. Top the chicken: Once the chicken is cooked, brush the top of each breast generously with the prepared Mexi-Ranch sauce.
  5. Melt the cheese: Sprinkle the Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese mixture evenly over the sauce on each chicken breast. Return the chicken to the grill (on indirect heat) or the oven for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve immediately: Place the cheesy chicken over a bed of crushed tortilla strips. Top with fresh cilantro and avocado slices. Serve this easy chicken dinner with Mexican rice if desired.

Notes

  • For an extra restaurant touch, serve this juicy lime chicken over a bed of crispy tortilla strips.
  • You can substitute the cheese blend with Pepper Jack for a bit more heat in this cheesy chicken topping.
  • This recipe works well for meal prep; store the sauce separately and add it just before reheating the chicken.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://daisyrecipe.com/fiesta-lime-chicken-recipe-easy-dinner/