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

Anybody else obsessive about Fiesta Lime Rooster from Applebee’s? I am unable to blame you—it is a plate of grilled taco rooster with Mexican ranch, salsa, and gooey spicy cheese in spite of everything! For those who get pleasure from zesty flavors, make sure to take a look at my Baked Salsa Chicken and Cilantro Lime Salmon subsequent.

I needed to recreate the recipe as a result of I used to be at all times craving it. And arising with this copycat fiesta lime rooster recipe was surprisingly simple! It has turn into a household favourite ever since. When you marinate the rooster and blend the Mexican ranch, the whole lot else comes collectively rapidly.

Essentially the most enjoyable a part of making this do-it-yourself model was attempting out different methods to serve this yummy lime grilled rooster. I’ve turned it into quesadillas, nachos, fiesta rooster bowls, and different nice meals and snacks. Excellent for any night time of the week!

In reality, you should utilize fiesta rooster as the primary protein in enchiladas, taco cups, and these 50+ delicious Mexican recipes!

Why You’ll Love Fiesta Lime Rooster

Listed here are some the reason why you may need to make this Applebee’s copycat recipe at house:

• More healthy than takeout: Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Rooster tastes nice, but it surely’s full of fats, salt, and energy. Whenever you make it at house, you possibly can 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 rooster in simply half-hour, begin to end! Excellent for these nights whenever you need to deal with your self however aren’t within the temper to eat out or order in.
• Fully customizable: You’ll be able to tweak this fiesta lime rooster recipe nonetheless you need, which suggests it’s at all times precisely the way you prefer it.

Elements and Simple Swaps

This is the whole lot it’s essential to make this do-it-yourself fiesta lime rooster:

• Rooster: I exploit boneless skinless rooster 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 rooster thighs work nice too. 
• Inexperienced salsa ranch: A Mexican-style dressing manufactured from ranch, green salsa, and cilantro to recreate the enduring fiesta lime rooster sauce. I am utilizing gentle yogurt-based ranch, however any ranch dressing will work.
• Taco seasoning: The “fiesta” a part of fiesta lime rooster! 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 reasonable!
• Pepper jack cheese: This barely spicy cheese with bits of peppers provides extra Tex-Mex taste to the marinated rooster breasts. Mexican cheese mix is a superb different, and in order for you 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 might have however the dish will style a bit totally different from the Applebee’s model.
• Olive oil and soy sauce: The oil helps the taco seasoning follow the rooster and prevents it from drying out on the grill, whereas soy sauce provides umami and taste. Tamari or coconut aminos are simple substitutes in the event you’re gluten-sensitive.
• Chopped cilantro: I really like the contemporary, natural chunk this provides the rooster! Use parsley in the event you do not like cilantro or simply go away it out.

Find out how to Make Fiesta Lime Rooster

Skip the takeout and make Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Rooster at house! Observe 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 the whole lot collectively till effectively blended.
2. Marinate: Place the rooster breasts within the marinade, guaranteeing they’re evenly coated. If the rooster is uneven in thickness, use a meat mallet to pound it to an excellent stage so it cooks evenly. For finest outcomes, marinate for not less than half-hour, however if you’re pressed for time, even 10-Quarter-hour will add tons of taste. Don’t neglect to poke the rooster with a fork earlier than marinating to assist it soak up the flavors.
3. Make the dressing: Whereas the rooster marinates, combine ranch dressing, inexperienced salsa, and cilantro to create a tangy, flavorful dressing. You’ll be able to modify the substances to your style, including extra cilantro or lime juice in the event 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 might be made upfront and saved within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
4. Grill the rooster: Preheat your grill to medium warmth and let the rooster come to room temperature earlier than cooking. Grill the rooster for 4-7 minutes per facet, relying on the thickness. To keep away from drying it out, solely flip the rooster as soon as. For those who’re utilizing a skillet, cook dinner for 4-6 minutes per facet on medium-high warmth. A meat thermometer is your finest buddy right here—make sure that the rooster reaches an inside temperature of 165°F for protected consuming.
5. Add sliced cheese: Within the final minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese (Monterey Jack works nice) on every rooster breast. Cowl the grill or skillet to entice the warmth and soften the cheese completely. This step offers the rooster its signature creamy, melty high layer.
6. Serve: Prime the grilled rooster with contemporary 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 rooster is all about vibrant flavors and juicy meat. Observe these tricks to nail it each time, from the marinade to different cooking strategies apart from the grill:

• Do not over-marinate: Lime is tremendous acidic, so don’t go away the rooster 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 rooster: In case your rooster breasts are significantly 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 may also qucikly cook dinner it in a forged iron skillet for 4-6 minutes per facet. 
• Mild issues up: For a lower-calorie choice, 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 rooster) to make use of as a basting sauce.
• Cowl with foil: Put cheese on high of the rooster 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 Rooster

Applebee’s serves their fiesta lime rooster on a mattress of fried tortilla strips or ribbons with a facet of Mexican rice and contemporary pico de gallo. However we’re making this at house, so we’re accountable for the menu! These are a few of our favourite recipes to serve with fiesta lime rooster:

PS. Mojitos or Margaritas non-obligatory!

Fiesta Lime Rooster Recipe Concepts

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

• Burrito bowl: Layer the rooster over some rice (or cauliflower rice in the event you’re slicing 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 rooster nachos: Unfold baked tortilla chips on a baking sheet and high with shredded rooster, refried beans, and a beneficiant layer of pepper jack, mozzarella, and nacho cheese sauce. End with do-it-yourself pico de gallo, jalapeños, bitter cream, and a drizzle of Mexi-ranch for a loaded nacho platter. You may also use fries or for a lighter choice, make nachos with mini bell peppers as a substitute of chips!
• Salad: For a Mexican type salad, high your favourite greens with sliced fiesta lime rooster, chopped tomatoes and onions, bell peppers, avocados, and tortilla chips for crunch. Prime with shredded pepper jack and cotija cheese.
• Fiesta lime quesadilla: Fill a tortilla with shredded rooster, 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 purple bell pepper and stuff with diced fiesta lime rooster, cooked rice, black beans, and shredded cheese. Bake till delicate and the cheese is melted. Prime with contemporary salsa and additional contemporary lime juice.
• Tacos: Take some delicate tacos or crunchy taco shells, then scoop shredded or sliced fiesta lime rooster inside. Garnish with lettuce, pickled red onions, refried beans, a bathe of cheese, and different taco fixings you want.
• Fiesta lime rooster tostadas: Unfold refried beans over crispy tostada shells, then pile on shredded rooster, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a sprinkle of shredded pepper jack with cotija cheese. Drizzle with Mexi-ranch.

Is Applebee’s fiesta lime rooster wholesome?

Not likely, as a result of Fiesta Lime Rooster has 1,180 calories based on Applebee’s. That is quite a bit for one meal! You’ll be able to simply make a more healthy model at house by utilizing lighter substances (e.g. yogurt-based ranch) and serving it with low-calorie sides like a salad.

Storage and Reheating

Fiesta lime rooster continues to be scrumptious the subsequent 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 rooster 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 rooster 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 by, or bake at 350°F for 10-Quarter-hour coated with foil.