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Restaurant-Style Tequila Lime Chicken (Just Like the Restaurant)

Restaurant-Style Tequila Lime Chicken

Spicy tequila-lime marinated chicken topped with creamy Mexi-Ranch sauce, melted cheese, and served over crunchy tortilla chips — just like the restaurant.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Summer Grilling
Cuisine: American, Mexican-American, Southwestern, Tex-Mex
Calories: 1030
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken Marinade
  • 1 cup water
  • ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon tequila
  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
  • Mexi-Ranch Dressing
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 teaspoons minced tomato
  • 1½ teaspoons chopped green chile peppers
  • 1 teaspoon minced onion
  • ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 pinch dried dill weed
  • 1 pinch paprika
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch ground cumin
  • 1 pinch chili powder
  • 1 pinch ground black pepper
  • Toppings
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar-Monterey Jack cheese blend
  • 2 cups crumbled corn chips or tortilla strips

Method
 

  1. In a glass bowl, mix water, teriyaki sauce, lime juice, garlic, liquid smoke, salt, ginger, and tequila.
  2. Add chicken breasts, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate 2–3 hours.
  3. Mix all Mexi-Ranch dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Cover and chill.
  4. Preheat oven broiler (or grill to medium-high).
  5. Remove chicken from marinade and discard marinade.
  6. Grill or broil chicken 3–5 minutes per side until cooked through (165°F).
  7. Place chicken in a baking dish. Spread Mexi-Ranch dressing on each piece and top with cheese.
  8. Broil 2–3 minutes until cheese melts.
  9. Serve each chicken breast over crushed corn chips.

Notes

  • Tortilla strips can be fried from corn tortillas if desired
  • Great with pico de gallo or cilantro-lime rice
  • Can substitute grilled chicken thighs