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The Ultimate 40-Minute Applebee’s Copycat Fiesta Lime Chicken with Creamy Salsa-Ranch Topping

Close-up of a cooked Fiesta Lime Chicken breast covered in white sauce, crushed tortilla chips, and fresh cilantro.
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Make this restaurant-style Fiesta Lime Chicken at home in under 40 minutes. This recipe features zesty lime marinated chicken breasts, topped with a creamy salsa-ranch glaze and melted cheese, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup prepared ranch dressing
  • 1/4 cup salsa (mild or medium)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/4 cup crushed tortilla chips, for garnish
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 Celsius). Lightly grease a baking dish.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, teriyaki sauce, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
  3. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes while you prepare the topping.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the ranch dressing, salsa, smoked paprika, and garlic powder until well combined. This is your salsa-ranch topping.
  5. Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off excess liquid, and place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish.
  6. Bake the chicken for 15 minutes.
  7. Remove the dish from the oven. Spread the salsa-ranch topping evenly over each chicken breast. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of the sauce.
  8. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Remove from the oven. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
  10. Garnish the Fiesta Lime Chicken with crushed tortilla chips and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately with Mexican rice or your favorite Tex Mex sides.

Notes

  • For an extra restaurant touch, serve this chicken over a bed of crispy tortilla strips.
  • If you prefer grilling, cook the marinated chicken over medium-high heat until done, then top with the salsa-ranch and cheese mixture and briefly place under the broiler until the cheese melts.
  • You can substitute the Monterey Jack cheese with Pepper Jack for a little extra heat.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kingscook.com/fiesta-lime-chicken-recipe-copycat/