By Becky Hardin
Updated Feb 19, 2025
Almost every time I visit Applebee’s, I get their Fiesta Lime Chicken. It’s served on a bed of Mexican rice and topped with tangy lime ranch, fresh pico de gallo, and crispy tortilla strips. It makes a flavorful meal on a hot summer night and my copycat version tastes even better than the restaurant’s!
5-Star Review
“My family really gobbles this up. It’s quick and tasty and I almost always have the ingredients on hand. I have four picky kids who all enjoy this recipe.” -Steph
Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe
If you grew up enjoying the Fiesta Lime Chicken or the Tequila Lime Chicken from Applebee’s, you’ll love this copycat version. This recipe requires minimal prep and uses mostly pantry staples for an easy weeknight meal.
This no-fail fiesta lime chicken takes Grilled Chicken and tops it with zesty lime ranch and Colby Jack cheese. The Tex-Mex flavor combination is a hit with both kids and adults!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ▢ seasoning salt and pepper
- ▢ 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- ▢ 1/4 cup greek yogurt
- ▢ 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ▢ 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- ▢ 1 clove garlic
- ▢ 4 slices Borden Colby & Monterrey Jack Cheese
- ▢ Pico de Gallo fresh cilantro, and tortilla strips for garnish
- ▢ Mexican rice for serving
Instructions
- Heat grill to 400°F.
- Pat dry the chicken breast and brush each chicken breast with olive oil. Then sprinkle with seasoning salt (I like Lawry’s) and pepper to taste. 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, seasoning salt and pepper
- Grill for approximately 10 minutes per side or until chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Set aside. Note: Use a cooking thermometer to know the internal temperature of the chicken (it should be 165°F).
- While chicken is cooking, combine the ranch, yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and garlic in a blender and blend until fully combined and smooth. Set aside. 1/4 cup ranch dressing, 1/4 cup greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1 clove garlic
- Once chicken breasts are grilled, place 1 tablespoon of the ranch mixture on each chicken breast and then top with a slice of cheese. The cheese should melt down onto the chicken, but to make it extra creamy pop it back on the grill for a minute or two until it’s melted to your liking. 4 slices Borden Colby & Monterrey Jack Cheese
- Top each breast with fresh Pico de Gallo, cilantro, and tortilla strips. Serve with Mexican Rice for extra flavor. Pico de Gallo
Becky’s Tips
- I use homemade ranch , Cilantro Lime or Chipotle Ranch would also be delicious!
- Instead of Colby Jack Cheese use baby Swiss, Pepper Jack, or even a mix of cheeses.
- If you want things extra spicy, use Pepper Jack cheese and Rotel tomatoes instead of pico de gallo.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts are perfect as they are tender and moist once cooked. Skinless boneless chicken thighs will also work.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oven-Baked Version
No grill? I’ve got you covered with my oven-bake version. Instead of grilling, bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes in total (5-6 min each side) at 350°F. Use a cooking thermometer to know the internal temperature of the chicken (it should be 165°F).
How to Store
Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30 second intervals or in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 mins.
Freeze And Make Ahead . After grilling once the chicken breasts are at room temperature, transfer them to freezer-friendly bags and freeze for 3-5 months. Thaw overnight, reheat, top with cheese and serve.
Serving Suggestions
This Fiesta Lime Chicken goes well with Cilantro Rice , Corn Pasta Salad and Grilled Corn Salad . If you don’t like Pico De Gallo , try a different salsa like Mango Salsa or Italian Salsa or Corn Salsa .
An outdoor grilled meal is incomplete without a Cocktails or Mocktails . Pair this meal with my Pineapple Agua Fresca or Margaritas .
If you want more easy grilled dinners this Summer, you’ve come to the right place! Be sure to check out all of our other favorite Chicken Recipes , including our Caesar Chicken and Baked Fried Chicken .
More GRILLED dinner recipes to try
Mexican Corn on the Cob (Mexican Grilled Corn)
Mind Blowing Grilled Corn Salad Recipe
Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken
Grilled Peach Salad
Fiesta Lime Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- seasoning salt and pepper
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 4 slices Borden Colby & Monterrey Jack Cheese
- Pico de Gallo fresh cilantro, and tortilla strips for garnish
- Mexican rice for serving
Instructions
- Heat grill to 400°F.
- Pat dry the chicken breast and brush each chicken breast with olive oil. Then sprinkle with seasoning salt (I like Lawry’s) and pepper to taste. 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 2 tablespoons olive oil, seasoning salt and pepper
- Grill for approximately 10 minutes per side or until chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink. Set aside. Note: Use a cooking thermometer to know the internal temperature of the chicken (it should be 165°F).
- While chicken is cooking, combine the ranch, yogurt, lime juice, cilantro, and garlic in a blender and blend until fully combined and smooth. Set aside. 1/4 cup ranch dressing, 1/4 cup greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, 1 clove garlic
- Once chicken breasts are grilled, place 1 tablespoon of the ranch mixture on each chicken breast and then top with a slice of cheese. The cheese should melt down onto the chicken, but to make it extra creamy pop it back on the grill for a minute or two until it’s melted to your liking. 4 slices Borden Colby & Monterrey Jack Cheese
- Top each breast with fresh Pico de Gallo, cilantro, and tortilla strips. Serve with Mexican Rice for extra flavor. Pico de Gallo
Notes
- I use homemade ranch , Cilantro Lime or Chipotle Ranch would also be delicious!
- Instead of Colby Jack Cheese use baby Swiss, Pepper Jack, or even a mix of cheeses.
- If you want things extra spicy, use Pepper Jack cheese and Rotel tomatoes instead of pico de gallo.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts are perfect as they are tender and moist once cooked. Skinless boneless chicken thighs will also work.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
