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Homemade Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken topped with cheese and zesty ranch-lime sauce.

Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken (Copycat)

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Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Juicy grilled chicken, creamy salsa-ranch sauce, melted Monterey Jack, and crispy tortilla strips — an easy copycat that tastes just like the restaurant.

Ingredients 

Fiesta Lime Marinade

  • 1 cup water
  • ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice
  • 3 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp tequila, optional
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Fiesta Lime Sauce (Mexi-Ranch)

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 Tbsp salsa
  • 1 Tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp Cajun spice mix
  • ½ Tbsp lime juice
  • ⅓ tsp dried parsley
  • ⅓ tsp hot sauce
  • ⅛ tsp dried dill weed

To Finish

  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 cups tortilla strips, or crushed corn chips
  • Fresh cilantro and lime wedges, for garnish

Instructions

  • Marinate: Whisk together water, teriyaki, lime juice, garlic, tequila, liquid smoke, salt, and ginger. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate at least 2 hours (up to overnight).
  • Make the sauce: Whisk mayo, sour cream, salsa, milk, Cajun spice, lime juice, parsley, hot sauce, and dill until smooth. Cover and chill.
  • Cook to 165°F: Grill 5–7 min/side, air-fry at 370°F for 10–12 min, pan-sear 4–6 min/side, or bake at 400°F for 20–25 min.
  • Sauce & melt: Brush chicken with sauce, top with Monterey Jack, and melt (air fryer 300°F for 3–5 min, lidded skillet, or broiler).
  • Serve: Plate over tortilla strips, drizzle with extra sauce, and finish with pico, cilantro, and lime. Serve with Mexican rice.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

  • No tequila needed — it's optional and included only as a nod to the original "Tequila Lime Chicken."
  • Make the sauce and pico up to a day ahead to save time.
  • Store chicken and sauce separately for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 528kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 31gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 1666mgPotassium: 592mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 626IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 261mgIron: 3mg