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Fiesta Lime Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 81 reviews

Fiesta Lime Chicken is a vibrant and flavorful baked chicken dish marinated in a zesty lime and taco seasoning blend, topped with melty Colby Jack cheese and a creamy salsa ranch sauce. Perfectly paired over crunchy tortilla chips and pico de gallo, it brings a festive Mexican-inspired taste to your dinner table.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 1 ¼ pounds chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 2 ½ tablespoons lime juice (from 2 limes)
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce or Tamari
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

Toppings and Sauce

  • 4 slices Colby Jack cheese
  • ¼ cup ranch dressing
  • ¼ cup mild salsa
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for serving)

To Serve

  • Tortilla chips
  • Pico de gallo
  • Mexican rice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
  2. Prep chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into four equal pieces. Cover them with plastic wrap and gently pound each piece with a meat mallet until they are about 1 inch thick. This ensures even cooking and tenderness.
  3. Season chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together avocado oil, 2 tablespoons lime juice, soy sauce or Tamari, honey, taco seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add the chicken pieces and toss so they are fully coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes, flipping once and continuing to marinate for an additional 15 to 45 minutes for deeper flavor.
  4. Bake chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Place the pieces evenly spaced in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
  5. Finish chicken: While chicken bakes, whisk together ranch dressing, mild salsa, sour cream, finely chopped cilantro, the remaining ½ tablespoon lime juice, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. After baking, remove chicken and brush each piece with 1-2 tablespoons of this salsa ranch sauce. Top each piece with a slice of Colby Jack cheese. Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
  6. Serve: Serve the Fiesta Lime Chicken over a bed of crushed tortilla chips. Spoon any leftover salsa ranch sauce and pico de gallo on top, garnish with extra cilantro, and accompany with Mexican rice if desired for a complete and festive meal.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken overnight will enhance the flavors even more.
  • You can substitute Colby Jack cheese with Monterey Jack or cheddar for variation.
  • For a gluten-free option, ensure the taco seasoning and soy sauce/Tamari are certified gluten-free.
  • Use low-fat or light ranch dressing and sour cream to reduce calories.
  • Serve immediately after melting cheese for best texture and flavor.

Keywords: Fiesta Lime Chicken, baked chicken, lime chicken, Mexican chicken recipe, taco seasoned chicken, Colby Jack, salsa ranch chicken

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/fiesta-lime-chicken-recipe/