Applebee’s new Irresist-a-Bowls are showing up every commercial break – and they make me so hungry – I had to try them! Then – I had to make them!
Last week I made Applebee’s Crispy Orange Chicken Irresist-a-bowl – it was REALLY good! (I reviewed the restaurant version too.) This week – I made the other bowl we tried – the Southwest Lime Grilled Chicken Bowl!
What is in Applebee’s Southwest Lime Grilled Chicken Bowl?
This bowl is filled with grilled chipotle lime chicken on mixed greens and cilantro rice with house-made pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa and guacamole. Topped with chimichurri, tortilla strips and a fresh lime wedge. The best part of that is – I can make all of those things!!! You are going to become OBSESSED with this recipe!
It’s not hard to make – it’s just a little bit of a juggling act – but it’s so worth it! I bought a packaged chipotle marinade and put the chicken in that with the juice of a lime and marinated that overnight.
Then when I was ready for dinner – I started cooking the chicken – I just used a grill pan on the stove top. Once the chicken was in the pan – I popped the rice in the microwave. While those were cooking – I made up the guacamole and chimichurri – they took minutes to make. By the time I was done with those – the rice and chicken were done. Then you just put it all together.
If you want to save time – you can use premade guacamole – but I just made my own in about 2 minutes!
Seriously – you can’t look at that and not be ready to dive in!!!! I think that my version has more flavor than the Applebee’s version. I think chain restaurants tend to be bland to please the masses – so this has ZING!
Here’s a couple of my mini-recipes and tips:
– Cilantro Lime Rice – I use Minute Rice and then add Cilantro paste and juice from one lime. I use the paste because fresh herbs go bad so quick. Give it a quick stir and you’re done!
– Guacamole – This is incredibly easy! Take one ripe avocado and scoop it into a bowl – then add some pico de gallo, cilantro paste, coarse sea salt and lime juice. Then you just mash it all together (but still leave the avocado pieces a little chunky).
If you like Copycat “bowl” recipes – I have a bunch! Applebee’s Crispy Orange Chicken Irresist-a-bowl is delicious! Big chunks of juicy chicken and lots of vegetables – so good! The Panera Warm Grain Bowls are also delicious – I love the Mediterranean Bowl and the Baja Chicken Warm Grain Bowl. Frankly – the Baja is very similar to the Applebee’s Southwest Lime Chicken!
Copycat Applebee’s Southwest Lime Grilled Chicken Irresist-A-Bowl
Ingredients
Chipotle Lime Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 packet chipotle marinade
- 2 limes juiced
- oil & water for marinade
CILANTRO LIME RICE INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup Minute rice
- 1 cup water
- 2 tbsp cilantro
- 1 lime juiced
GUACAMOLE INGREDIENTS
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup pico de gallo
- 1 tsp cilantro
- 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
- 1/2 lime juiced
CHIMICHURRI INGREDIENTS
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
- dash salt
- 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
Salad ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup pico de gallo
- 1/2 cup black bean & corn salsa
- tortilla strips
- lime wedges
Instructions
- Marinate chicken overnight in chipotle marinade – add juice from 1 lime2 chicken breasts, 1 packet chipotle marinade, 2 limes, oil & water for marinade
- Prepare chicken* Air fry at 350 for 10 minutes* OR Grill pan on medium high for 10 minutesSet aside to rest
- Prepare cilantro lime rice* I use minute rice – 6 minutes – and then add 2 tbsp cilantro from tube and juice of 1 lime* can also use prepackaged, preseasoned cilantro lime blends of Minute Rice1 cup Minute rice, 1 cup water, 2 tbsp cilantro, 1 lime
- Prepare guacamole by mashing avocado, adding in pico, cilantro, salt and lime juice. cover and refrigerate until ready1 avocado, 1/4 cup pico de gallo, 1 tsp cilantro, dash salt, 1/2 lime
- Prepare chimichurri by stirring together parsley, garlic, evoo, vinegar, salt and red pepper (if using fresh parsley, you’ll need to add more evoo)1/2 tsp coarse sea salt, 3 tbsp fresh parsley, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar, 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
- Assemble ingredients:* place romaine in bottom of bowl* top with 2/3 cup cilantro lime rice* top with 2 Tbsp each of guacamole, pico, corn & black bean salsa* top with 1 chicken breast sliced* spread chimichurri on sliced chicken* sprinkle tortilla strips on top* serve with lime wedge1 head romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup pico de gallo, 1/2 cup black bean & corn salsa, tortilla strips, lime wedges
Plain Chicken says
This looks AMAZING! Definitely going to give this a try!
FoodHussy says
You'll love it- it's my fav!
Sarah says
I made this last night and it was delicious! Thank you so much for putting this together and laying out your mini recipes so clearly. I used dried parsley to make the chimichurri, so I used 2 Tbsp parsley and a little extra olive oil. I used the cilantro paste you recommended and will use it again.
FoodHussy says
Thanks so much for your note! I’m glad you loved it!
Patty Cermak says
I get this every week and love it so much and im definitely making it right now. thanks!!
Pattie Kingston says
Will you be making the new Southwest Chieken bowl recipe?
FoodHussy says
I’ll check it out!
Knitawit says
How do you make the black bean and corn salsa?
FoodHussy says
I bought it – but you can just take regular salsa and mix in a couple spoonfuls of black beans and corn (from a can). if you’re making a bunch – it’s worth it to make it – but if you’re just using a little for your salad – it’s more affordable to just buy it premade or use regular salsa. I like the Newman’s Own brand.
Jackie says
Yummy! I love this recipe! It’s so good that my picky kid loves it
Jared says
I CANNOT wait to try this! Once again you know I’m here for the amazing Mexican / Tex-mex recipes you post! Hahah! 🙂
FoodHussy says
Check out my recipes for Carlos O Kellys copycats! https://www.thefoodhussy.com/?s=carlos