By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 3, 2021
Nothing screams Summer grilling season like Grilled Tequila Lime Chicken–tasty, cheesy, and simple. This copycat Applebee’s recipe is SO FLAVORFUL. Grill season here we come!
Tequila Lime Chicken Recipe
This easy grilled chicken is a perfect main dish for summer but you can really eat it any time of the year by cooking it indoors.
The secret to Tequila Lime Chicken (besides the tequila marinade…can’t go wrong with that!) is the three-cheese ranch dressing that adds a blast of amazing flavor.
Oh yes, it’s a summer BBQ miracle!
Why you’ll love this Tequila Lime Grilled Chicken:
- Grilled: Succulent, perfectly grilled chicken…perfect for summer BBQs
- Citrusy: A delicious and fresh citrus lime marinade.
- Sauced: Brushed in an addictive three cheese ranch sauce.
Ingredients
- Chicken breast – Boneless and skinless. Ideally, opt for organic or free-range.
- Tequila – I love Camarena– it’s smooth and adds a lovely, subtle smokiness.
- Fruit juice – fresh lime and orange juice.
- Garlic – minced.
- Lime seasoning blend – I like Mrs. Dash’s Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend. But you can make your own with 1 tps. paprika, 1 tsp. cumin, and 1 tsp. salt.
- Cheese – I like ultra-thin Colby jack cheese.
- Ranch dressing – Three Cheese Ranch from Kraft is great.
Trademark note: In the spirit of transparency, please note that some of these ingredients are trademarked products. Applebee’s, Camarena, Mrs. Dash and Kraft are proprietary brands that I want to acknowledge and give credit to.
How to Make Tequila Lime Chicken
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a plastic bag and add the chicken pieces. Refrigerate.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for 8-10 minutes per side.
- Brush chicken with the ranch dressing and a slice of cheese; allow to melt.
- Serve and enjoy!
Why marinate chicken?
Marinating the chicken is super important and it’s what takes this chicken to the next level. Not only does it add a ton of flavor, but it helps keep the chicken juicy and tender!
If you have time, I always recommend marinating the chicken for 6-8 hours or overnight but you can leave it for 2 hours if you’re pushed for time. Even a short marinating time makes a difference!
How Do You Tell When the Chicken is Cooked?
If you are unsure the chicken is cooked through, then you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast and make sure it reaches 165F. If it doesn’t, cook it for a few minutes longer.
What Do You Serve with Tequila Lime Chicken?
I love to serve this chicken dish with rice and Pico de Gallo or tomatillo avocado salsa . It’s simple, easy, and incredibly delicious.
Other sides that would work well are green beans, salad, noodles or grilled veggies.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
72+ Chicken Dinner Recipes
See our Chicken Guide for all the best chicken recipes plus tips and tricks for juicy chicken every time.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes You Might Like:
- Easy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
- Salsa Verde Chicken
- Grilled Bruschetta Chicken Caprese
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Creamy Swiss Chicken Bake
- Tuscan Chicken
- Mexican Street Corn Chicken
- Baked Seasoned Chicken Breast
- Chicken Wings
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- ▢ 1/2 cup tequila I love Camarena
- ▢ 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
- ▢ 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ▢ 1 T. Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend If you don’t have access to this, use 1 tps. Paprika, 1 tsp. cumin, and 1 tsp. salt
- ▢ 1 tsp. fresh black pepper
- ▢ 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ▢ 4 slices Colby Jack Cheese ultra-thin if possible
- ▢ 1/2 cup Lite Three-Cheese Ranch dressing I used Kraft
Video
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix tequila, lime juice, orange juice, garlic, fiesta lime seasoning blend, pepper, and cilantro. Place the chicken into 2 gallon-sized ziplock bags (2 pieces per bag) and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.
- After marinating, take the chicken out of the bags (discarding the marinade) and grill on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Brush each chicken liberally with the ranch dressing, and top with a slice of cheese. Allow the cheese to melt over the chicken before taking off the grill.
- Serve with rice, fresh pico de gallo, and lime slices.
Becky’s Tips
- Leave the chicken to marinate for as long as possible (overnight is best).
- Any good melting cheese will work with this recipe; you could also use Cheddar, Gruyere or mozzarella
- To be sure the chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer and check it reaches 165 degrees F.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tequila Lime Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1/2 cup tequila I love Camarena
- 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 T. Mrs. Dash Fiesta Lime Seasoning Blend If you don’t have access to this, use 1 tps. Paprika, 1 tsp. cumin, and 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. fresh black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 4 slices Colby Jack Cheese ultra-thin if possible
- 1/2 cup Lite Three-Cheese Ranch dressing I used Kraft
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix tequila, lime juice, orange juice, garlic, fiesta lime seasoning blend, pepper, and cilantro. Place the chicken into 2 gallon-sized ziplock bags (2 pieces per bag) and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal and refrigerate for 6-8 hours.
- After marinating, take the chicken out of the bags (discarding the marinade) and grill on medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Brush each chicken liberally with the ranch dressing, and top with a slice of cheese. Allow the cheese to melt over the chicken before taking off the grill.
- Serve with rice, fresh pico de gallo, and lime slices.
Video
Notes
- Leave the chicken to marinate for as long as possible (overnight is best).
- Any good melting cheese will work with this recipe; you could also use Cheddar, Gruyere or mozzarella
- To be sure the chicken is cooked, use a meat thermometer and check it reaches 165 degrees F.
- Leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days
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
