I have never prided myself on being a chef, or a creative cook… but once in a while, I come up with a good idea. Yay, me! When we were first married, my husband and I ate at chain restaurants a lot. (Like, before we discovered what good food was.) I’m the kind of girl who tends to order the same dish every time I visit a restaurant. Once upon a time at Applebees, that was the Fiesta Lime Chicken. However, after playing around in the kitchen, I realized I could make it myself and it tasted a whole lot better. (See ya, Applebees!)
For years now, I have been making this simple chicken dish for parties and family get togethers. Everyone always loves it and asks how to make it for themselves. I am telling you, this dish is ridiculously easy! With just a few simple steps, you can share this with your loved ones for your next fiesta.
To make Jenn’s Super Easy Fiesta Lime Chicken, here’s what you’ll need:
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- lime vinaigrette marinade
- Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch dressing
- pico de gallo
- Mexican blend cheese
Place the desired number of chicken breasts in a large freezer bag and pound them flat with a meat mallet. (This speeds up the cooking time.) Pour in half a bottle of lime marinade and seal the bag shut. I use Kraft Zesty Lime Dressing, but you can sub any similar marinade. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least twenty minutes. Then, grill the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 165. After chicken is cooked thoroughly, place on a plate and top with Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch. (This brand is the best tasting… use no substitutes!) Then, top with pico de gallo. You may use store bought, but I prefer homemade. To make pico, I dice Roma tomatoes, shallot, jalapeno, and cilantro and mix together with a squeeze of lime and pinch of sea salt. Finish off the chicken with a generous helping of Mexican blend cheese. Pop the plate into the microwave for two minutes to melt the cheese. And… Ole! Your dish is done! I usually serve it with homemade guacamole, chips, and refried black beans.
Pour yourself a margarita and enjoy!
Forty Fat and Fabulous 