Description
This Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat brings all the zesty, cheesy, smoky goodness of the restaurant favorite right to your kitchen. With a tangy lime marinade and creamy cheese topping, it’s a flavorful, fuss-free meal that’s perfect for weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Marinade:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 4–5 limes)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp honey or agave (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
For the Topping:
- 1 cup shredded Colby Jack cheese (or Monterey Jack)
- 1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeños (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp reserved marinade (cooked, see instructions)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and honey (if using). Place the chicken breasts in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal or cover, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
- Prepare the Cheesy Topping: While the chicken marinates, mix the shredded Colby Jack, Mexican blend cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, and chopped jalapeños in a bowl. Set it aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat your grill or a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off, but reserve about a teaspoon of the marinade. Discard the rest. Grill the chicken for 6–8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and grill marks appear.
- Add the Topping and Finish: Right before the chicken is done, spread the cheese mixture evenly over each breast. If grilling, move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill, close the lid, and let the cheese melt for 1–2 minutes. If using a grill pan, you can pop it under the broiler for a minute to bubble and brown the topping. Stir the reserved teaspoon of marinade into any leftover topping for an extra flavor boost, then drizzle over the cooked chicken. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Don’t marinate for more than 4 hours as the lime juice can break down the chicken texture. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after cooking before slicing to keep it juicy. For a lighter version, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and light mayo.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with topping
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg