Tequila Lime Fiesta Chicken

Tired of the same old boring chicken recipes? This chicken dish is anything but boring! It's marinated with tequila and lime for a deeply juicy, flavorful chicken and covered in a creamy, tangy sauce served over a bed of tortilla strips.

Ingredients:

Chicken:

• 3-4 boneless chicken breasts (just under 2 pounds)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper

Marinade:

• 1/4 cup tequila

• 1/2 cup of lime juice (about two limes freshly squeezed)

• 5 cloves of garlic minced

• 2 tsp of ground cumin

• 2 tsp of ground coriander

• 2 tsp of onion powder

• 1/2 tsp of smoked paprika

• 2 tsp salt

• 1 tsp pepper

• 1/2 cup of olive oil

Topping:

• 1/2 cup of ranch dressing

• 1/2 cup of salsa

• a few dashes of hot sauce (optional)

• 1 tsp of ground cumin

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp of ground coriander

• 1 tsp of onion powder

• 1/4 tsp of smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp pepper

• 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

Garnishes:

• tortilla strips

• pico de gallo (you can buy it or make your own by mixing 4 diced plum tomatoes, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1/2 minced red onion, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 minced jalapeño (seeded), the juice of 1 lime, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper

• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro (use parsley or another fresh herb if you don't like cilantro)

• jalapeno slices

• 1 lime sliced into wedges

• avocado slices (optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare the chicken by rinsing it, and seasoning with salt and pepper.

2. Mix all ingredients for marinade and place the chicken in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (no longer than 8 hours). Note: I only marinated mine for 20 minutes and it was wonderful!

3. Grill chicken on grill or oiled cast iron skillet for 5-8 minutes per side (depending on the thickness of your chicken).

4. While the chicken is cooking mix all ingredients for the topping except the cheese.

5. After the chicken is finished cooking place in broiler safe dish (or leave it in the pan you cooked it in if you cooked it stove top and the pan can go under a broiler) pour the topping over the chicken and top each piece with shredded cheese.

6. Place under broiler until cheese melts and bubbles.

7. To serve put a handful of tortilla strips on each plate, top with a piece of chicken, and garnishes of your choice.

8. Goes well with cilantro-lime or Spanish rice or a side of pinto or black beans.

9. Enjoy!