Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat Recipe

Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat Recipe

Serves 4
Meal type Main Dish
Website Adapted from Food.com
Get Applebee's copycat recipe: fiesta lime chicken today! The fiesta lime chicken is served atop crispy tortilla strips, with salsa fresca, and red rice.

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 Cups shredded cheese (cheddar or colby jack)

marinade

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1-2 limes (for marinade and additional lime slices for serving)

marinade (Optional)

  • 1 tablespoon tequila

sauce

  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 Tablespoons salsa (plus additional 1 to 2 cups for serving)
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

crispy tortilla strips

  • 4 tortillas (or 2 cups tortilla chips)

Note

The chicken needs to marinate at least 1 hour prior to cooking.

Directions

Marinade
Step 1
Prepare marinade by mixing together water, teriyaki sauce, juice from 1/2 of a lime, garlic, tequila (if desired), liquid smoke, salt and ginger in shallow bowl or casserole dish. Marinate chicken breasts for at least an hour in mixture, flipping once.
Sauce
Step 2
Prepare sauce by combining mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, milk, cajun spice, parsley and hot sauce. Cover and place in refrigerator until needed.
Step 3
Broil or grill chicken until cooked through.
Crispy tortilla strips
Step 4
While chicken is cooking, make the crispy tortilla strips. Brush a few tortillas with oil, then sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Cut into ¼ in strips using a pizza slicer or chef knife. Bake them in the oven at 450 degrees for about 5 minutes; keep an eye on them, as they burn easily. An alternative to tortilla strips would be crumpled tortilla chips, though I prefer the strips.
Step 5
Line a baking sheet with tinfoil. Spoon sauce over chicken breasts; sprinkle on cheese and broil until cheese is melted.
Step 6
Cut the remaining limes into slices. Divide crispy tortilla strips among 4 plates. Place the chicken on top of the strips. Serve with salsa fresca and lime wedges. This goes great with red rice.