Make this simple copycat version of Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken at home! Juicy grilled chicken is topped with Mexi-ranch dressing and melty cheddar cheese and served over a crispy bed of tortilla chips.
I just love recreating favorite restaurant dishes in my kitchen, and this easy recipe for Fiesta Lime Chicken is such a perfect recreation of an Applebee’s favorite!
When you look at it, this recipe is not all that complicated. Chicken breasts are marinated in a flavorful honey lime mixture, then grilled, either on your outdoor grill or indoors on a grill pan.
To finish it off, we’ll broil the cooked chicken topped with a creamy taco-seasoned ranch dressing and plenty of shredded cheddar cheese.
The “fiesta” really gets started when we serve this dish, with crispy tortilla strips, homemade pico de gallo salsa, and Mexican Rice.
It’s just like you’d get at Applebees, but better, because you made it yourself!
If you want to try more restaurant copycat recipes, I’ve got you covered. Try my versions of Cheesecake Factory’s Crusted Romano Chicken, Chili’s Santa Fe Chicken Salad, or homemade Chick Fil A Chicken Nuggets
What Makes Applebees Fiesta Lime Chicken So good
- The Marinade – The amazing flavor and juicy texture of the fiesta chicken comes from the marinade. Spices are blended with olive oil, honey, and fresh lime juice to give the meat a bright, savory, tangy flavor that is irresistable.
- Mexi-Ranch Dressing – This creamy dipping sauce pairs perfectly with the marinated chicken and it’s so easy to make. Just combine ranch dressing with taco seasoning and lime juice!
- Mouth-Watering Textures – Tender chicken, crispy tortilla chips, creamy dressing, and melty cheddar cheese all work together in the best way.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make this Applebee’s chicken copycat:
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Chicken Breasts: This recipe serves four people, one chicken breast each.
- Lime Juice: We’re adding lime to the chicken marinade and to the dressing. be sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice, and nothing from a bottle.
- For the Marinade: Honey, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.
- Ranch Dressing: Use your favorite bottled dressing, or try my easy homemade ranch instead.
- Taco Seasoning: To add the “Mexi” to the Mexi-ranch dressing. Store bought seasoning works fine, but my homemade taco seasoning is really delicious.
- Cheddar Cheese: If you’d rather not use cheddar, Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack are good alternatives.
- Tortilla Strips: This are usually found near the salad dressings and toppings in the grocery store. You can also just crush up whole corn chips for a similar effect.
- Cilantro: Fresh chopped cilantro is the perfect garnish for this Tex-Mex meal.
- Pico De Gallo: This fresh salsa made with onion, tomatoes, and jalapeno goes perfectly with this chicken.
- Rice: To match with the Applebee’s classic, serve fiesta lime chicken with a side of Spanish rice or Mexican Rice.
How To Make Fiesta Lime Chicken at Home
Tip!
For an authentic experience, serve your cheesy chicken over a bed of crispy tortilla strips and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Yum!
Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe Tips
- Instead of chicken breasts, feel free to substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders.
- Prep ahead: You can prepare the marinade and mexi-ranch dressing up to a day ahead of time. Just store them in airtight containers in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
- Use a clean grill. Before grilling the chicken, be sure that your grill grates are clean and brushed with oil. This will prevent the meat from sticking.
- Instead of grilling outdoors, you can cook the chicken on a grill pan on your stovetop! You could also bake chicken breasts or cook them in the air fryer before adding the toppings and broiling them.
- Don’t have any honey? Make the marinade using maple syrup or agave nectar instead.
Storing Tips
- To store leftover Fiesta Lime Chicken, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
- Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or oven until heated through, being careful not to overcook the chicken.
- I don’t recommend freezing this recipe, as the the tortilla chips and cheese won’t have the same texture once reheated.
- You can however freeze grilled chicken breasts for up to 3 months.
What To Serve With Fiesta Lime Chicken
If you want to do it like Applebee’s does, serve your chicken with a side of Mexican Rice and some fresh Pico de Gallo.
Fiesta lime chicken is also delicious with grilled veggie kabobs, cilantro lime rice, chips and homemade guacamole, or my cheesy Mexican Street Corn Salad.
For dessert, why not try an easy Mexican Fruit Salad, or Churro Cheesecake bars!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make this recipe with chicken thighs?
Yes you can! Replace the chicken breasts with boneless, skinless thighs for even juicier, more flavorful meat.
Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
It’s best to marinate fiesta lime chicken for no more than 2 hours. After that time, the lime juice will start to break down the fibers of the chicken. Once that happens, the chicken can get mushy and soft.
Is Fiesta Lime Chicken gluten free?
On Applebee’s menu, Fiesta Lime Chicken is listed as a “gluten sensitive” option, as it is made without any gluten containing ingredients! This homemade fiesta lime chicken is the same. Be sure to check your taco seasoning and tortilla strips for gluten ingredients and you should be all set!
More Tasty Tex-Mex Recipes
All Mexican Meals →
Skip the trip to the chain restaurant, it’s easy to make this version of Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken at home!
Be sure to Pin this recipe for the next time you’re in the mood for a delicious Tex-Mex Chicken meal that the whole family will love.
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken
Ingredients
Chicken:
- ¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) honey
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Mexi-ranch Dressing:
- ½ cup (120 ml) ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lime juice
Toppings:
- 1 cup (112 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup tortilla strips
- Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for garnish
Optional Side Dishes
Instructions
- In a bowl or a ziptop bag, mix together the lime juice, honey, minced garlic, cumin, salt, pepper and smoked paprika to make the marinade.
- Add the chicken to the marinade, and mix until it’s well coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl, place in the fridge and allow to marinate for 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing, taco seasoning, and lime juice to make the Mexi-ranch dressing. Set aside.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat then clean and oil the grill grates. Remove the chicken from the marinade, and place on the grill, and cook for 6-8 minutes per side or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F/74°C with an Instant read thermometer.
- Add the grilled chicken to a baking sheet. Spread the Mexi-ranch dressing over the chicken and top each breast with shredded Cheddar cheese.
- Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- To serve, add the Fiesta Lime Chicken on a bed of the tortilla strips and sprinkle with the cilantro. Serve with Spanish rice and house-made pico de gallo on the side.
Notes:
- Instead of chicken breasts, feel free to substitute with boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenders.
- Prep ahead: You can prepare the marinade and mexi-ranch dressing up to a day ahead of time. Just store them in airtight containers in the fridge until you’re ready to use them.
- Use a clean grill. Before grilling the chicken, be sure that your grill grates are clean and brushed with oil. This will prevent the meat from sticking.
- Instead of grilling outdoors, you can cook the chicken on a grill pan on your stovetop! You could also bake chicken breasts or cook them in the air fryer before adding the toppings and broiling them.
Nutrition Information
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
© Little Sunny Kitchen
Bethany says
This was SO easy, and the end results is DELICIOUS and more impressive than the effort than went into it. I added rotel tomatoes as a topping to the chicken.
Diana says
I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for sharing your experience!
Kat Stant says
So delicious-the fiesta lime chicken is the only thing my bf eats at Applebees and he said I nailed it!
Little Sunny Kitchen says
Yay! Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for the 5-star review.