Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat Recipe You’ll Love

Have you ever craved that zesty, cheese-topped Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken but didn’t want to leave the house? You’re not alone – this dish is ordered over 800,000 times monthly across their restaurants! I first attempted this Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat recipe after a particularly hectic Tuesday when takeout wasn’t in the budget but my craving wouldn’t quit.

The first bite transported me straight to my favorite booth at Applebee’s – except I was in my PJs at my kitchen table! This restaurant-quality meal comes together in under 30 minutes, costs a fraction of the restaurant price, and honestly? It might taste even better than the original. Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or impressing dinner guests, this recipe delivers restaurant flavor with home-cooked love.

Ingredients for Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat

Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat starts with simple, fresh ingredients you might already have in your kitchen. The secret to this dish’s addictive flavor lies in the marinade and that signature mayo-based sauce that gives it that authentic restaurant taste.

For the Chicken and Marinade:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
• 1/4 cup lime juice (fresh is best!)
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

For the Fiesta Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 2 teaspoons taco seasoning
• 1 teaspoon minced jalapeño (optional for extra kick)

For Topping:

• 1 cup shredded Colby-jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons pico de gallo
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

Don’t eat dairy? Swap the cheese for dairy-free alternatives and use vegan mayo and plant-based sour cream. The zesty lime and honey flavors still shine through beautifully!

Timing for Your Fiesta Lime Chicken

• Prep time: 15 minutes (including marinating)
• Cook time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 30 minutes

This Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat comes together in half the time it takes to drive to the restaurant, wait for a table, and get your order!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat

Let me walk you through creating this restaurant favorite at home with simple, foolproof steps:

1. Marinate the Chicken

In a large zip-top bag, combine lime juice, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and cilantro. Add chicken breasts, seal the bag, and massage to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator if you’re planning ahead).

2. Prepare the Fiesta Sauce

While the chicken marinates, whisk together mayo, sour cream, milk, lime juice, taco seasoning, and jalapeño (if using) in a small bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use. Pro tip: make this sauce a day ahead for even better flavor development!

3. Cook the Chicken

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 5-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Don’t have a grill? A regular skillet works perfectly too – just add a touch more oil to prevent sticking.

4. Add the Toppings

Transfer the grilled chicken to an oven-safe dish. Spread each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of the fiesta sauce, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

5. Garnish and Serve

Top your Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat with fresh pico de gallo and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately with your choice of sides.

Warning: Don’t overcook the chicken! It continues cooking slightly when you broil the cheese topping. Remove it from the grill when it’s just reached 165°F for the juiciest results.

Nutritional Information for Fiesta Lime Chicken

Each serving of this Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat contains approximately:

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 39g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fat: 28g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sodium: 680mg

This protein-packed dish makes for a satisfying meal that’s actually more nutritionally balanced than many restaurant versions. The lime juice provides a boost of vitamin C, while the lean chicken breast delivers essential protein without excessive calories.

Equipment Needed for Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat

You don’t need fancy kitchen gadgets to recreate this Applebee’s favorite:

• Grill, grill pan, or skillet
• Small mixing bowl for the sauce
• Zip-top bag for marinating
• Meat thermometer (highly recommended for perfectly cooked chicken)
• Broiler-safe dish
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk

The beauty of this Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat is that it works with whatever cooking equipment you already have on hand!

Why You’ll Love This Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat

This recipe has become a weekly staple in my home, and here’s why it’ll become one in yours too:

• Budget-friendly – make four restaurant-quality servings for less than the price of one at Applebee’s
• Customizable heat level – adjust the jalapeño and taco seasoning to make it as mild or spicy as you prefer
• Quick enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests
• Kid-approved flavor with grown-up appeal
• Works beautifully for meal prep – the flavors actually improve overnight!

My husband, who typically orders this dish every time we visit Applebee’s, now requests my homemade version instead. That’s how good this copycat recipe is!

Healthier Alternatives for the Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat

Want to make this fiesta lime chicken fit your specific dietary needs? Try these smart swaps:

For a lower-calorie version:

• Use light mayo and Greek yogurt instead of regular mayo and sour cream
• Reduce the cheese to 1/2 cup or use a reduced-fat variety

For a keto-friendly option:

• Replace the honey with a sugar-free sweetener
• Serve over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice

For a dairy-free alternative:

• Substitute vegan mayo for regular mayo
• Use coconut cream instead of sour cream
• Top with dairy-free cheese alternatives or skip the cheese and add extra pico de gallo

The marinade’s bright lime flavor and savory spices ensure this Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat tastes amazing even with these modifications!

Serving Suggestions for Fiesta Lime Chicken

Turn your Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat into a complete meal with these perfect pairings:

• Serve over cilantro-lime rice for an authentic restaurant experience
• Add a side of black beans or refried beans for extra protein and fiber
• Include a simple green salad with avocado and a lime vinaigrette
• Wrap leftovers in tortillas for next-day chicken tacos
• For a lighter option, serve atop a bed of romaine with extra pico as a fiesta chicken salad

For a fun family dinner, set up a “build your own” station with the chicken as the star and bowls of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced avocado, sour cream, and extra cheese. My kids love this interactive approach to dinner!

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Your Fiesta Lime Chicken

Even experienced cooks can trip up when making this Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat for the first time. Here’s how to avoid the most common pitfalls:

• Skipping the marinating time: Even 15 minutes makes a huge difference in flavor and tenderness
• Overcooking the chicken: Dry, tough chicken ruins the experience – use a meat thermometer to hit 165°F exactly
• Using bottled lime juice: The artificial taste can overpower the dish; fresh limes make all the difference
• Forgetting to bring chicken to room temperature before cooking: Cold chicken straight from the fridge cooks unevenly
• Being stingy with the sauce: That creamy, zesty sauce is what makes this dish special – be generous!

I learned the hard way about the room temperature tip after serving guests chicken that was charred outside but undercooked inside. Now I always let the chicken sit out for 10-15 minutes before it hits the grill.

Storing Tips for the Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat

This recipe works wonderfully for meal prep or leftovers. Here’s how to keep it fresh:

• Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight!
• Freezing: You can freeze the marinated raw chicken for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
• Make-ahead components: Prepare the fiesta sauce up to 3 days ahead and store separately.
• Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 325°F oven covered with foil until warmed through (about 10-15 minutes). Microwave works in a pinch but may make the chicken a bit rubbery.

Pro tip: If meal prepping, slightly undercook the chicken initially so it doesn’t dry out when reheated.

Conclusion

This Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat recipe brings the vibrant flavors of your favorite restaurant dish right to your kitchen table, without the wait or the bill! The tangy lime marinade, creamy sauce, and melty cheese topping create a perfect harmony that might just make you forget about the original version. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, meal prepping for the week ahead, or impressing guests, this versatile recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Next time that Applebee’s craving hits, save yourself the trip and whip up this copycat version instead. Your wallet (and your taste buds) will thank you! Have you tried making other restaurant favorites at home? Share your experience in the comments or tag us in your fiesta chicken creations on social media!

For more restaurant-inspired recipes you can easily make at home, check out HarmonyMeal’s restaurant copycat collection.

FAQs About Easy Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Copycat

Print

Follow & Join the Harmony Meal Community

📌 Love indulging in rich and cheesy comfort food?
Get inspired with more crave-worthy breakfasts, comforting dinners, and irresistible desserts.
👉 Follow us on Pinterest for easy-to-save recipes and meal ideas you’ll actually want to make.

📘 Let’s be foodie friends!
Join our community of passionate home cooks and flavor chasers.
👉 Follow Harmony Meal on Facebook to share your own dishes, get exclusive content, and connect with others who love to eat and create.