My Applebee’s fiesta lime chicken copycat recipe is the easiest way to bring that zesty, restaurant-style flavor home without the guilt (or the price tag)! My recipe keeps all the bold, tangy flavor I love while making it lighter, fresher, and weeknight-friendly. The tequila lime marinade infuses the chicken breast with citrusy brightness, then a quick grill and a layer of ranch and melty cheese take it over the top.
Top Reader Reviews
The seasoning was perfect and the slice of cheese on top was a great touch!
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We loved this fiesta chicken – so easy and so much flavor!!
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Cheesy Fiesta Lime Chicken Breast with Tequila Lime Marinade
Aside from my usual favorite Bourbon Street chicken and shrimp, I’ve always loved Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken (aka tequila lime chicken). I just can’t get enough of that bright zesty flavor and melty cheese!
To make my life easier and save some money, I created my own fiesta lime chicken copycat recipe that skips the extra calories while keeping all the flavor. My version starts with a simple tequila lime marinade, then the chicken breasts cook on the grill in just 20 minutes!
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Lighter Ingredients
To keep this Applebee’s copycat recipe light, I use thin slices of Colby Jack and a lite ranch dressing. It results in that same creamy-tangy bite without weighing things down, and tastes just like my restaurant favorite!
Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe (Applebee’s Copycat)
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (*)
- 4 slices ultra-thin Colby Jack cheese
- ½ cup Kraft Lite Three Cheese Ranch Salad Dressing (**)
For the Tequila Lime Marinade:
- ½ cup tequila
- ¾ cup lime juice (from 6 limes)
- ½ cup orange juice (from 2 oranges)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend (***)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix tequila, lime juice, orange juice, garlic, fiesta lime seasoning blend, pepper, and cilantro.½ cup tequila, ¾ cup lime juice, ½ cup orange juice, 2 cloves garlic , 1 tablespoon Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Place the chicken into 2 gallon-sized resealable bags (2 per bag) and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and marinate in the fridge for 6-8 hours.4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- After marinating, take the chicken out of the bags and discard excess marinade. Grill chicken on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Brush each chicken breast liberally with the ranch.½ cup Kraft Lite Three Cheese Ranch Salad Dressing
- Then top each with a slice of cheese. Allow the cheese to melt over the chicken before taking off the grill.4 slices ultra-thin Colby Jack cheese
- Serve with rice, fresh pico de gallo, and lime slices.
Notes
- I recommend marinating tequila lime chicken in the fridge for 6-8 hours for maximum benefit. You can marinate overnight for convenience. Or if you’re short on time, a quick 30 minutes will give it a flavor boost.
- I like to make this using a grill pan on my stovetop, but it works on an outdoor grill too. You can also follow the same instructions using a skillet on the stovetop.
- After marinating, let chicken come to room temp before grilling. I set it on the counter top while the grill preheats.
- Cooked chicken breasts should reach an internal temp of 165°F.
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
Watch me make this on Youtube!
This chicken sounds pretty juicy to me.
The Perfect Tequila Lime Chicken Marinade
My secret to nailing that restaurant-style fiesta lime chicken lies in the marinade balance. Lime juice alone can make chicken tough if it sits too long, but pairing it with orange juice and tequila changes everything. The natural sugars in the orange juice and the enzymes in tequila work together to tenderize the meat, locking in juiciness while layering in flavor.
Most of the alcohol in this tequila lime chicken marinade burns off on the grill, leaving just a subtle depth that makes the chicken taste extra rich. If you’re not a drinker, you can skip the tequila and use more orange juice with a pinch of kosher salt. The key is always balancing acidity with sweetness for perfectly tender grilled chicken every time.
How to Make Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Step by Step
Make the Tequila Lime Marinade: Mix together ½ cup of tequila, ¾ cup of lime juice, ½ cup of orange juice, 2 minced cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend, 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper, and ½ cup of chopped fresh cilantro.
Marinate the Chicken: Place 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 2 separate resealable bags, then pour the tequila lime marinade evenly over the chicken in each bag. Marinate for 6-8 hours in the fridge. You can do this in the morning or the night before, so it’s ready to cook at dinner time.
Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (375-450°F). Remove the marinated chicken from the bags and shake off any excess. Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes per side, or until cooked through to 165°F.
Add Ranch: Brush the grilled chicken breasts evenly with ½ cup of Kraft Lite Three Cheese Ranch Salad Dressing. Feel free to use any brand or type of ranch you have on hand.
Melt the Cheese: Next, top each piece of chicken with 1 slice of ultra-thin Colby Jack cheese. Allow the cheese to melt, about 1-2 minutes, then remove chicken from the grill.
Serve: Serve copycat fiesta lime chicken with rice, fresh pico de gallo, and lime slices, if desired.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Store leftover fiesta lime chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven or Air Fryer for about 15-20 minutes, or until warmed all the way through.
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