Applebee's Tequila Lime Chicken

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It's one of Applebee's top-selling signature dishes. This tasty dish combines the tangy flavor of the tequilla lime marinade with creamy southwestern-style dressing, and tops it all off with a melted cheese blend. Make sure you don't marinate the chicken for more than 3-4 hours, or the citric acid in the lime juice may toughen the chicken. Serve this dish with your choice of rice, along with some pico de gallo or salsa on the side.

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Ingredients

  • Marinade:
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp mesquite liquid smoke flavoring
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp tequilla
  • 4 chicken breast fillets
  • Mexi-Ranch Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup mayo
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 tbsp minced tomato
  • 1 1/2 tsp white vinegar
  • 1 tsp minced canned jalapeno slices
  • 1 tsp minced onion
  • 1/4 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/4 tsp Tabasco pepper sauce
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1/8 tsp paprika
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/8 tsp cumin
  • 1/8 tsp chili powder
  • dash garlic powder
  • dash ground black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar/monterey jack cheese blend
  • 2 cups crumbled corn chips or fried tortilla strips

Preparation

Step 1

Prepare marinade by combining marinade ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the chicken to the bowl, cover and chill for 2-3 hours.

Make the mexi-ranch dressing by combining all the ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix well until smooth, then cover dressing and chill it until needed.

When you are read to prepare the entree, preheat the oven to high broil. Also, preheat your barbecue or indoor grill to high heat. When the grill is hot, cook the marinated chicken breasts for 3-5 minutes per side, or until they are done.

Arrange the cooked chicken in a baking pan. Spread a layer of mexi-ranch dressing over each piece of chicken (you'll have plenty left over), followed by 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese blend. Broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes, or just until the cheese has melted.

Spread a bed of 1/2 cup of the tortilla strips or crumbled corn chips on each plate and serve with your choice of rice, and pico de gallo or salsa.

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