Copy Cat Chow
The infamous copy cat recipe. Why dine out when you can dine in…on the same food and for less! Plus, creating restaurant favorites at home is a great adventure. It’s akin to being a detective. You ask yourself questions like “What taste is that?” and later on, “Wonder how much of this I add?” I have crafted some copy cat recipes from my favorite restaurants to share with you. How do you create your restaurant favorites at home? Experimentation, dedication, and a positive attitude (this is serious business). Applebee’s Fiesta Lime Chicken
Applebee’s is not my favorite restaurant, but I have to admit I love their Fiesta Lime Chicken dish. It’s a tangy marinated grilled chicken breast topped with a zesty lime sauce and gooey melted cheese. I don’t want to burst their bubble, but my neighborhood is just as good as theirs and I can feed four neighbors for the price they charge one neighbor.
What you’ll need:
Fiesta Lime Chicken
4 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 cup water
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
3 teaspoons chopped garlic (can use dried)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ginger
1/4 cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons salsa
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
¼ teaspoon hot sauce
2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
2 cups tortilla strips
First, prepare your marinade. Combine 1 cup water, 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce, 3 teaspoons chopped garlic, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon ginger in large bowl. Add chicken. Cover and marinate for at least one hour.
Next, prepare your sauce. Combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons salsa, 1 tablespoon milk, 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, and ¼ teaspoon hot sauce in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate (you'll see the sauce later on)
Grill chicken until cooked through. I use a cast-iron griddle, but you could use an outdoor grill, broiler, or just a regular pan.
Brush chicken with sauce throughout grilling process.
Cover medium size baking sheet with aluminum foil (just shorten clean-up time). Place chicken on sheet. Cover each piece of chicken with sauce (see sauce below) and then cheese. Broil chicken until cheese is melted.
Serve on a bed of tortilla strips and top with lime garnish (I squeeze my lime over the top). I also serve red skinned mashed potatoes on the side.