Fiesta Lime Hen (Bake, Air Fry, or Grill!)

Anybody else obsessive about Fiesta Lime Hen from Applebee’s? I can not blame you—it is a plate of grilled taco hen with Mexican ranch, salsa, and gooey spicy cheese in spite of everything! For those who get pleasure from zesty flavors, make sure you try my Baked Salsa Chicken and Cilantro Lime Salmon subsequent.

I wished to recreate the recipe as a result of I used to be all the time craving it. And arising with this copycat fiesta lime hen recipe was surprisingly simple! It has turn out to be a household favourite ever since. When you marinate the hen and blend the Mexican ranch, every part else comes collectively shortly.

Probably the most enjoyable a part of making this home made model was making an attempt out different methods to serve this yummy lime grilled hen. I’ve turned it into quesadillas, nachos, fiesta hen bowls, and different nice meals and snacks. Good for any night time of the week!

The truth is, you should utilize fiesta hen as the primary protein in enchiladas, taco cups, and these 50+ delicious Mexican recipes!

Why You’ll Love Fiesta Lime Hen

Listed here are some the explanation why you will need to make this Applebee’s copycat recipe at dwelling:

• More healthy than takeout: Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Hen tastes nice, but it surely’s full of fats, salt, and energy. Whenever you make it at dwelling, you’ll be able to lighten it up with swaps like yogurt-based ranch, reduced-fat cheese, and decrease sodium—so it’s simply as tasty however higher for you.
• Prepared in half-hour: Restaurant-quality fiesta lime hen in simply half-hour, begin to end! Good for these nights once you need to deal with your self however are usually not within the temper to eat out or order in.
• Fully customizable: You may tweak this fiesta lime hen recipe nonetheless you need, which suggests it’s all the time precisely the way you prefer it.

Substances and Straightforward Swaps

This is every part you should make this home made fiesta lime hen:

• Hen: I take advantage of boneless skinless hen breasts on this recipe. The lean chicken balances the richness of the ranch and cheese, so the dish doesn’t really feel too heavy. For those who’re extra into darkish meat, boneless skinless hen thighs work nice too. 
• Inexperienced salsa ranch: A Mexican-style dressing made from ranch, green salsa, and cilantro to recreate the enduring fiesta lime hen sauce. I am utilizing mild yogurt-based ranch, however any ranch dressing will work.
• Taco seasoning: The “fiesta” a part of fiesta lime hen! You need to use store-bought packets, however I normally discover them too salty with not sufficient taco taste. Homemade taco seasoning offers you extra management over the flavour and makes a ton for affordable!
• Pepper jack cheese: This barely spicy cheese with bits of peppers provides extra Tex-Mex taste to the marinated hen breasts. Mexican cheese mix is a good different, and if you need one thing milder, use Monterey jack, Colby jack, or cheddar cheese.
• Lime zest and juice: The lime-spiked taco marinade is the bottom of this recipe, so I wouldn’t recommend changing it. You need to use lemon if that is all you could have however the dish will style a little bit completely different from the Applebee’s model.
• Olive oil and soy sauce: The oil helps the taco seasoning persist with the hen and prevents it from drying out on the grill, whereas soy sauce provides umami and taste. Tamari or coconut aminos are simple substitutes should you’re gluten-sensitive.
• Chopped cilantro: I like the recent, natural chew this provides the hen! Use parsley should you do not like cilantro or simply depart it out.

The right way to Make Fiesta Lime Hen

Skip the takeout and make Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Hen at dwelling! Comply with these six easy steps:

1. Prep the marinade: In a small bowl, mix lime juice, olive oil, soy sauce, and taco seasoning. For added taste, contemplate including a pinch of cayenne for further kick. Whisk every part collectively till effectively blended.
2. Marinate: Place the hen breasts within the marinade, making certain they’re evenly coated. If the hen is uneven in thickness, use a meat mallet to pound it to a fair stage so it cooks evenly. For greatest outcomes, marinate for not less than half-hour, however in case you are pressed for time, even 10-Quarter-hour will add tons of taste. Don’t neglect to poke the hen with a fork earlier than marinating to assist it take up the flavors.
3. Make the dressing: Whereas the hen marinates, combine ranch dressing, inexperienced salsa, and cilantro to create a tangy, flavorful dressing. You may alter the elements to your style, including extra cilantro or lime juice should you want. If it it too thick, add some extar inexperienced salsa or water. For a thicker consistency, stir in some bitter cream or Greek yogurt. This dressing may be made upfront and saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
4. Grill the hen: Preheat your grill to medium warmth and let the hen come to room temperature earlier than cooking. Grill the hen for 4-7 minutes per aspect, relying on the thickness. To keep away from drying it out, solely flip the hen as soon as. For those who’re utilizing a skillet, cook dinner for 4-6 minutes per aspect on medium-high warmth. A meat thermometer is your greatest buddy right here—make certain the hen reaches an inside temperature of 165°F for secure consuming.
5. Add sliced cheese: Within the final minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese (Monterey Jack works nice) on every hen breast. Cowl the grill or skillet to lure the warmth and soften the cheese completely. This step offers the hen its signature creamy, melty prime layer.
6. Serve: High the grilled hen with recent pico de gallo and drizzle it with the Mexican ranch dressing. For a real Applebee’s expertise, serve with seasoned rice and baked crispy tortilla strips. For those who’re brief on time, store-bought pico de gallo can work simply as effectively. Take pleasure in!

Recipe Ideas and Methods

This fiesta lime hen is all about vivid flavors and juicy meat. Comply with these tricks to nail it each time, from the marinade to different cooking strategies in addition to the grill:

• Do not over-marinate: Lime is tremendous acidic, so don’t depart the hen within the marinade for too lengthy or it’ll flip mushy. Thirty minutes is ideal! For those who’re prepping forward, 1-2 hours is ok, however not more than that.
• Butterfly the hen: In case your hen breasts are notably thick, butterfly them earlier than pounding them with a meat mallet or rolling pin. This helps them cook dinner evenly so that you don’t find yourself with dry edges and undercooked facilities.
• Bake or air fry: The smoky char from the grill actually brings this recipe near Applebee’s model, however you too can use your air fryer or oven. Air fry at 415°F for 10-13 minutes (flipping midway), or bake it at 400°F for 20-25 minutes. You too can qucikly cook dinner it in a forged iron skillet for 4-6 minutes per aspect. 
• Mild issues up: For a lower-calorie possibility, use my yogurt-based Skinny Ranch, Jalapeno Ranch, or Avocado Ranch recipes for the creamy sauce.
• Baste with marinade: Put aside a few of the lime-taco (earlier than including uncooked hen) to make use of as a basting sauce.
• Cowl with foil: Put cheese on prime of the hen then cowl it with foil for a minute or two so it melts. This trick works whether or not you are utilizing the grill, air fryer, or oven.

What to Serve with Fiesta Lime Hen

Applebee’s serves their fiesta lime hen on a mattress of fried tortilla strips or ribbons with a aspect of Mexican rice and recent pico de gallo. However we’re making this at dwelling, so we’re in control of the menu! These are a few of our favourite recipes to serve with fiesta lime hen:

PS. Mojitos or Margaritas optionally available!

Fiesta Lime Hen Recipe Concepts

You need to use this lime fiesta hen recipe as a foundation for a lot of different dishes, corresponding to:

• Burrito bowl: Layer the hen over some rice (or cauliflower rice should you’re reducing carbs or keto). Pile in your favourite burrito toppings like beans, cheese, corn kernels, shredded lettuce, salsa, bitter cream, guacamole, avocado chunks, and an enormous squeeze of lime. Grains like quinoa and couscous additionally work nice right here!
• Fiesta lime hen nachos: Unfold baked tortilla chips on a baking sheet and prime with shredded hen, refried beans, and a beneficiant layer of pepper jack, mozzarella, and nacho cheese sauce. End with home made pico de gallo, jalapeños, bitter cream, and a drizzle of Mexi-ranch for a loaded nacho platter. You too can use fries or for a lighter possibility, make nachos with mini bell peppers as an alternative of chips!
• Salad: For a Mexican fashion salad, prime your favourite greens with sliced fiesta lime hen, chopped tomatoes and onions, bell peppers, avocados, and tortilla chips for crunch. High with shredded pepper jack and cotija cheese.
• Fiesta lime quesadilla: Fill a tortilla with shredded hen, pico de gallo, and pepper jack cheese then fold in half. Grill till the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted.
• Stuffed bell peppers: Hole out a pink bell pepper and stuff with diced fiesta lime hen, cooked rice, black beans, and shredded cheese. Bake till gentle and the cheese is melted. High with recent salsa and further recent lime juice.
• Tacos: Take some gentle tacos or crunchy taco shells, then scoop shredded or sliced fiesta lime hen inside. Garnish with lettuce, pickled red onions, refried beans, a bathe of cheese, and different taco fixings you want.
• Fiesta lime hen tostadas: Unfold refried beans over crispy tostada shells, then pile on shredded hen, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of shredded pepper jack with cotija cheese. Drizzle with Mexi-ranch.

Is Applebee’s fiesta lime hen wholesome?

Probably not, as a result of Fiesta Lime Hen has 1,180 calories in line with Applebee’s. That is lots for one meal! You may simply make a more healthy model at dwelling by utilizing lighter elements (e.g. yogurt-based ranch) and serving it with low-calorie sides like a salad.

Storage and Reheating

Fiesta lime hen remains to be scrumptious the following day and nice for meal prep. This is what to do together with your leftovers:

• To retailer: Retailer your leftovers in an hermetic container and refrigerate it for as much as 3 days.
• To freeze: I do not suggest freezing leftover fiesta lime hen as a result of the feel can get a bit mushy after thawing, particularly with the sauce and cheese. If you wish to make it forward, freeze the marinated uncooked hen for as much as 3 months. To cook dinner, thaw and proceed with the remainder of the recipe.
• To reheat: Reheat in a big nonstick skillet over medium warmth, microwave in 30-second bursts till warmed via, or bake at 350°F for 10-Quarter-hour coated with foil.