Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese
Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese balances bright lime and smoky tequila notes with savory garlic and a hint of ginger. Juicy grilled-style chicken is draped in a creamy, tangy ranch flecked with chiles, then topped with melted Cheddar-Jack over a crunchy corn chip base. It’s a crowd-pleasing dinner for game nights, casual gatherings, or whenever you crave bold restaurant-inspired flavor at home.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook20 mins
- Serves4
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 50 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 2 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 50 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 13
- Heart Health
- 27
- Metabolic
- 31
- Digestive
- 40
- Inflammatory
- 56
- Performance
- 31
- General Wellness
- 1
In a medium nonporous glass bowl, combine water, teriyaki sauce, lime juice, garlic, liquid smoke, salt, ginger, and tequila, and stir to blend. Add chicken and turn to coat; cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
- 2
Meanwhile, for the Mexi-Ranch Dressing, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, tomato, peppers, onion, parsley, hot pepper sauce, salt, dill weed, paprika, cayenne pepper, cumin, chili powder, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl and mix until smooth. Cover the bowl and chill until needed.
- 3
Position an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the broiler, or preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
- 4
Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard any remaining marinade. Grill or broil the chicken for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until it is cooked through and the juices run clear.
- 5
Place the cooked chicken in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread a layer of Mexi-Ranch dressing over each piece, then add 1/4 cup of cheese blend on top. Broil in the preheated oven for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until the cheese melts.
- 6
On each of 4 plates, make a bed of about 1/2 cup crumbled corn chips or tortilla strips. Place a chicken breast onto the chips on each plate and serve.
- Calories 1026.41 kcal High 51%
- Protein 73.28 g Good Source 147%
- Carbohydrate 54.33 g 20%
- Total Fat 57.58 g High 74%
- Saturated Fat 16.53 g High 83%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 204.72 mg High 68%
- Sodium 1593.61 mg High 69%
- Dietary Fiber 4.07 g Moderate 15%
- Total Sugars 8.87 g --
- Added Sugars 6.49 g Moderate 13%
- Calcium 472.06 mg Good Source 36%
- Iron 1.84 mg Moderate 10%
- Potassium 186.21 mg Low Source 4%
- Vitamin A 5.82 mcg Low Source 1%
- Vitamin C 2.96 mg Low Source 3%
- Vitamin D 0.1 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Caffeine ☕
- Citrus 🍊
- Milk 🥛
- Soy 🌱
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Sulfites
- Corn 🌽
- Tomatoes 🍅
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
- Alcohol 🚫🍷
About This Recipe
Tequila Lime Chicken with Mexi Ranch and Cheese is made with 25 ingredients and serves 4. It takes about 50 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, and Chili Powder. Each serving provides about 1026.41 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese made of?
- The main ingredients are Black Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Chicken Breast, Chili Powder, Corn Chips. The full list of 25 is above.
- How long does it take to make Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese?
- About 50 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 20 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 1026.41 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 25 ingredients and 6 steps.
- Is Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese healthy?
- Tequila-Lime Chicken with Mexi-Ranch and Cheese has an easyChef Pro health score of 37/100. Per serving, it provides 1026.41 calories and 73.28 g of protein, or 147% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1593.61 mg (69% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 16.53 g (83% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 6.49 g (13% of the Daily Value). It contains Caffeine, Citrus, Milk, Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Sulfites, Corn, Tomatoes, Garlic, Onions and Alcohol, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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The calculation evaluates nutrients, calorie density, processing level, and how well the food supports your selected health goal. Protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients can strengthen the score. High amounts of sodium, saturated fat, added sugar and other nutrients may lower it.
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