Chicken and Chive
menu icon
search icon
×

Homemade Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken recipe

Published: · By:

Jump to Recipe

This homemade Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken recipe is a zesty, cheesy, and flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for a Tex-Mex-inspired meal! Juicy lime-marinated chicken is baked to perfection and topped with a creamy salsa ranch sauce, melted cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips. Serve it with rice, pico de gallo, or a side salad for a delicious restaurant-quality meal at home.

Homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken topped with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. The chicken is on a white plate with Mexican rice. The plate is on a white counter with chips and an additional plate of chicken.

Why I Love This Recipe

I’ve always been a fan of Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken, and after my cousin raved about making it from scratch, I had to try it myself.

The bold lime marinade, creamy ranch salsa sauce, and melty cheese create the perfect combination of flavors. Now, this crispy, cheesy Tex-Mex chicken dish is one of my go-to meals when I’m craving something satisfying and easy to make! And when I say easy, I mean it. Just a handful of steps are all you have to follow to make it. 

Homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken topped with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. The chicken is on a white plate with Mexican rice. The plate is on a white counter with chips.

Ingredients

Here's everything you'll need to make this fiesta lime chicken:

For the Marinated Chicken:

  • 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

For the Topping & Sauce:

  • 4 slices sharp Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
  • ¼ cup ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup mild salsa
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro (plus more for serving)

Optional Toppings:

  • Crushed tortilla chips
  • Pico de gallo

An overhead shot of several bowls in various sizes containing ingredients to make homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken including chicken breasts, lime, salsa, sour cream, slice cheese, and seasonings.

How to Make Fiesta Lime Chicken

Again, just a handful of steps are all you have to follow to make this homemade Applebees fiesta lime chicken recipe.

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Whisk together avocado oil, lime juice, soy sauce, honey, taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl.

A white bowl with a fiesta lime marinade. The bowl is on a white counter with a white cloth napkin.

Coat the chicken breasts, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

A white bowl with four uncooked chicken breasts marinating in a fiesta lime marinade. The bowl is on a white counter with a white cloth napkin.

Step 2: Bake the Chicken

Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange marinated chicken in a baking dish, letting excess marinade drip off. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until fully cooked (165°F internal temp).

A glass baking dish with four pieces of marinated chicken breasts. The dish is on a white counter with a white cloth napkin.

Step 3: Prepare the Salsa Ranch Sauce

In a bowl, mix ranch dressing, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, remaining lime juice, and salt until smooth.

A small bowl with a spoon stirring a fiesta lime sauce. The bowl is on a white counter with a white cloth napkin.

Step 4: Add the Cheese and Sauce

Brush each baked chicken breast with salsa ranch sauce and top with a slice of Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes until melted.

A glass baking dish with four pieces of baked chicken breasts topped with a fiesta lime sauce and sliced cheese. The dish is on a white counter with a white cloth napkin.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Serve the Fiesta Lime Chicken over crushed tortilla chips, garnished with extra salsa ranch, pico de gallo, and fresh cilantro. Pair with Mexican rice or a fresh salad for the full Applebee’s experience!

A fork cutting a slice of homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken topped with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. The chicken is served on a white plate with Mexican rice.

My Expert Tips

  • Marinate for Extra Flavor: Let the chicken sit in the marinade for up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
  • Use Freshly Grated Cheese: It melts better than pre-shredded cheese.
  • Make It Spicy: Add hot sauce or diced jalapeños to the salsa ranch.
  • Air Fryer Option: Cook at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, then top with cheese and melt for 2 more minutes.
  • Crispy Finish: Broil for 2 minutes after melting the cheese for a slight crispiness.

Homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken topped with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. The chicken is on a white plate with Mexican rice.

FAQ's About This Copycat Applebee's Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe

What is Fiesta Lime Chicken?

Fiesta Lime Chicken is a zesty, cheesy Tex-Mex chicken dish from Applebee’s, featuring a lime-marinated chicken breast topped with a creamy salsa ranch sauce, melted cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips.

Can I grill the chicken instead of baking it?

Yes! Grill it over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals.

What sides go well with Fiesta Lime Chicken?

Pair it with Mexican rice, refried beans, grilled corn, or a fresh avocado salad for a complete meal.

A fork taking a bite of homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken topped with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. The chicken is served on a white plate with Mexican rice.

My Final Thoughts

This copycat Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken recipe is the perfect zesty, cheesy, and creamy chicken dish for any Tex-Mex lover.

It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and even better than the restaurant version.

Serve it with rice, tortilla chips, or your favorite sides for a meal the whole family will love!

Homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken topped with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. The chicken is on a white plate with Mexican rice. The plate is on a white counter with chips and an additional plate of chicken.

More Chicken Recipes to Try Next

Yield: 4 servings

Homemade Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken recipe

Homemade Applebee's fiesta lime chicken topped with pico de gallo and fresh cilantro. The chicken is on a white plate with Mexican rice. The plate is on a white counter with chips and an additional plate of chicken.

This homemade Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken recipe is a zesty, cheesy, and flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for a Tex-Mex-inspired meal! Juicy lime-marinated chicken is baked to perfection, topped with a creamy salsa ranch sauce, melted cheese, and crunchy tortilla chips. Serve it with rice, pico de gallo, or a side salad for a delicious restaurant-quality meal at home.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 small chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 limes, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 4 slices sharp Cheddar or Colby Jack cheese
  • ¼ cup ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup mild salsa
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro plus more for serving

Optional Toppings:

  • Tortilla chips
  • Pico de gallo

Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

    2. Pound chicken breasts with a meat mallet until they are 1-inch thick.

    3. Whisk together avocado oil, 2 tablespoons lime juice, soy sauce, honey, taco seasoning, 

    4. Worcestershire sauce, and ½ teaspoon salt in a large bowl.

    5. Marinate the chicken in the mixture, ensuring it’s well coated. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then flip and continue marinating for another 15-45 minutes.

    6. Arrange the chicken in a 13x9-inch baking dish, allowing space between each piece. Let excess marinade drip off before placing it in the dish.

    7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.

    8. Prepare the sauce by whisking together ranch dressing, salsa, sour cream, cilantro, the remaining ½ tablespoon lime juice, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.

    9. Brush each chicken piece with 1-2 tablespoons of the sauce, then top with a slice of cheese.

    10. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

    11. Serve Fiesta Lime Chicken over crushed tortilla chips with extra salsa ranch, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, and Mexican rice.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 Breast
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 514Total Fat: 29gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 139mgSodium: 1771mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 46g
© Brendan Cunningham
Cuisine: Mexican / Category: Copycat recipes
«
»

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Skip to Recipe