Fiesta Lime Chicken (Applebees Copycat): Juicy chicken topped with melty cheese and spicy pico. The most delicious thing you can do with chicken in 30 minutes!
A wise blogger once said:
Related: Best Carne Asada Fries
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are a blank canvas. And they totally are! You can bake them, fry them, grill them ,you name it! They also go great in the slow cooker!
This is one of the MOST flavorful things you can do with chicken. The chicken features a tangy marinade, flavorful sauce,and spicy pico! It is a fiesta in your mouth! Looking for chicken inspiration? Instant Pot Crack Chicken is another family favorite.
I like making this on the outdoor grill, but if it is getting chilly where you are no worries! A grill pan, or even a cast iron skillet will do just fine. Prefer baking? Consider my ritz chicken instead.
More Restaurant Copycat Recipes
Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp
Fiesta Lime Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 Cup Water
- ⅓ Cup Teriyaki Sauce
- 3 Teaspoons Garlic
- ½ Lime Juiced
- 1 Tablespoon Tequila Optional
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Ground Ginger
For the Sauce
- ¼ Cup Mayonnaise
- ¼ Cup Sour Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Salsa
- 1 Tablespoon Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Cajun Seasoning
- ¼ Teaspoon Parsley Dried
- ¼ Teaspoon Hot Sauce If Desired
- 2 Cups Colby Jack Cheese Shredded
For the Pico De Gallo
- 3 Roma Tomatoes Seeded and Roughly Chopped
- ½ Red Onion Finely Chopped
- 1 Jalapeno Pepper Stems/Seeds removed, Finely Chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Lime Juice Freshly Squeezed
- Salt To Taste
Instructions
For the Chicken
- In a plastic baggie combine water, teriyaki sauce, lime juice, garlic, tequila,Worcestershire sauce, and ginger. Place chicken into baggie and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Lightly grease outdoor grill or grill pan. Heat to medium high. Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
- During the last few minutes or cooking, spread chicken with sauce and top with shredded cheese.
For the Sauce
- In a medium bowl combine mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, milk, cajun seasoning, parsley, and hot sauce. Refrigerate until needed.
- For the Pico De Gallo
- In a medium bowl combine tomatoes, red onion, and jalapeno. Add lime juice, and salt. Mix until well combined.
- Top chicken with pico de gallo right before serving.
Nutrition
Fiesta Lime Chicken adapted via Blog Chef
Fiesta Lime Chicken Tips:
- Adjust the heat in this recipe by adding more or less cajun seasoning and hot sauce. I also like to enjoy with a dollop of sour cream on the top to cool things down.
- You can sub Greek Yogurt for the sour cream in the sauce.
- Be sure to throw away and unused marinade.
Craving more easy chicken dinners?
Winner winner chicken dinners from blogs I Heart:
Southwest Chicken Chowder via Shugary Sweets
Baked Buffalo Chicken Nuggets via Fake Ginger
Southern Smothered Chicken via Grandbaby Cakes
What do you think of this fiesta lime chicken recipe? What if your favorite thing to do with chicken breasts?
Love this recipe! I usually buy the pico (Aldi’s is actually really good!) and sometimes bake the chicken but it always turns out great. It is definitely one of our family favorites – thank you!
Yay thanks so much for letting me know. I’ve never tried Aldi’s Pico, will have to change that!
Fabulous! I went to Applebee’s for lunch, had this and wanted to serve it to the family. I used your recipe with alterations. It was snowing so I didn’t grill the chicken, I baked it after marinading it.. I really enjoyed the sauce but couldn’t find a gluten free teriyaki sauce so I skipped that and tequila. My family said it was exceptional and to please make it again.
Yay sounds like a delicious variation. Thanks for letting me know Hannah!
I used to work at Applebee’s (for 6 years!) and this recipe is absolutely delicious! Honestly, it’s better than Applebee’s!
I made this tonight with my boyfriend and on a tight schedule, we didn’t have the two hours to let the chicken marinade. So instead, we cooked the chicken in it on low! We also diced the chicken and added some rice 🙂 it was amazing just very salty! I think the reason for that may have been the hot sauce. Either way still great 🙂
That is such a high compliment, thank you kindly Cassie!
Too many ingredients.
So worth it! But you might also like this 5 ingredient chicken recipe I posted this week 🙂
https://www.bakingbeauty.net/ritz-cracker-chicken/
Are you serious?? You obviously don’t cook!! I laughed when I saw your comment ” too many ingredients ” lmfao!!!!!!!
Okay, the fiesta lime chicken is the bomb!! My husband hates “white chicken” and he loved this recipe. It was super delicious. I made the rice on the stove top and it worked great.
Job well done!
Yay so glad you could convert your husband with this one Laura! Job well done to you too!!
This recipe was great the family loved it, and in my husbands opinion way better than the restaurant version!!
So glad to hear that K! 🙂
Wow, this sounds like such a flavorful meal! Yum!
This. Looks. Amazing. WAAAAY better than the restaurant version, that’s for sure! That melty cheese and fresh pico has me hooked!