Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla

Ever found yourself craving that perfectly crafted Taco Bell quesadilla at midnight? You’re not alone. What sets Taco Bell’s version apart isn’t just the seasoned chicken or the blend of melted cheeses – it’s their signature creamy jalapeño sauce that makes it irresistible. This copycat recipe nails that distinctive taste while letting you control the quality of ingredients and spice level.

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What makes the Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla so irresistible?

The warm and soft tortilla, the savory chicken, the melty cheese, and the tangy sauce all come together to create a delicious and satisfying bite. Perfect for a snack or the central part of your meal one bite makes this Mexican-inspired treat hard to put down.

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

• Perfect for feeding a crowd
• It tastes incredibly close to the original
• Made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients
• Prep the sauce and chicken ahead for quick assembly
• More economical than takeout
• Customizable to your taste preferences

The real secret to this quesadilla is the Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce

There are many chicken quesadilla recipes out there, but it is the Taco Bell-inspired sauce that makes this one so delicious. The sour cream and seasonings bring plenty of spice to the dish, while the mayonnaise helps tame the heat. Feel free to use your favorite taco seasoning instead of the one listed in the recipe. This quesadilla sauce makes a good dip for french fries and turns a standard hamburger into a Mexican burger.

Check out more of our Taco Bell recipes on YouTube!

Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Recipe Ingredients

For the Creamy Jalapeño Sauce:

• Sour cream – Provides creamy base and tang
• Mayonnaise – Creates rich, smooth texture
• McCormick taco seasoning – Adds authentic Tex-Mex flavor
• McCormick chili powder – Provides depth and mild heat
• Tabasco green jalapeño sauce – Brings signature spicy kick

For the Quesadillas:

• Burrito-size flour tortillas – Creates the crispy exterior
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts – Main protein component
• Vegetable oil – For cooking chicken and crisping tortillas
• Monterey Jack cheese – Provides melty texture
• Cheddar cheese – Adds sharp flavor
• Salt and pepper to taste – Enhances overall flavors

How to Make Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla

1. Place sour cream, mayo, taco seasoning, chili powder, and green sauce in a bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined.

2. Slice chicken breasts in half horizontally and pound them out thin.
3. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken breasts.

4. Cook the chicken with vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until both sides have browned.
5. Slice the chicken into thin strips.

6. Place a tortilla in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
7. Top with Monterey jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and chicken strips.
8. Drizzle some sauce over the cheese and chicken.

9. Once the cheese blend begins to melt, fold over the tortilla and flip over. Make sure both sides are browned.
10. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut the quesadilla into pieces.

Serve these delicious chicken quesadillas with additional creamy jalapeño sauce. You can also serve them with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chopped tomatoes, Pico de Gallo, onions, or pickled jalapeños if desired.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

Q: Why isn’t my tortilla crispy? A: Ensure skillet is hot before adding tortilla; avoid using oil

Q: Can I make the sauce ahead? A: Yes, stores well in refrigerator for up to 3 days

Q: My cheese isn’t melting properly? A: Use freshly grated cheese and lower heat for better melting

Dietary Modifications & Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Use corn or gluten-free tortillas
• Vegetarian: Replace chicken with grilled peppers and onions
• Lighter Version: Use light sour cream and mayo
• Spicier Version: Add extra jalapeño sauce or fresh diced jalapeños

Scaling the Recipe

• Double sauce recipe for dipping
• Prep extra chicken for quick meals
• Scale up for parties by keeping finished quesadillas warm in 200°F oven

Make this Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Your Own

Quesadillas are very versatile. Try using the same recipe and replace the chicken with ground beef or even thinly sliced steak! If someone in your house home doesn’t eat meat, use vegetarian refried beans instead.

Serve these quesadillas with separate bowls of toppings and let people add whatever they want. Don’t forget to include salsa, sour cream, sliced avocados, guacamole, shredded lettuce, and different heat levels of hot sauces.

Tips for Making and Serving Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla

• For a bit of variety, substitute wraps for tortillas. Although they are meant for making sandwiches, wraps are just flavored tortillas and come in various flavors such as sun-dried tomato and spinach.
• Save time and use store-bought rotisserie chicken. You can often pick up cooked chickens for half price just before the grocery store closes.
• Store any extra quesadilla sauce for about three days in a covered bowl in the fridge.

Tips on Cooking Quesadillas

You don’t have to have much experience in the kitchen to make quesadillas. It is an excellent dish to teach someone new to cooking to make on his own. As straightforward as it is, a few tricks can significantly improve the results.

1. Use the largest flour tortilla that will fit flatly on the bottom of your skillet. Most manufacturers label them as burrito-sized.
2. Start with a hot cooking surface. Heat a dry skillet or, better yet, a griddle pan over medium-high heat. Don’t put the tortilla on a cold cooking surface, or it is much more likely to stick.
3. Cook the tortilla on the first side until it slides easily, then turn it over. Add an eighth of the shredded mixed cheese to the bottom half of the tortilla. Lay the chicken on top of the cheese and cover it with another eighth of the cheese mixture.
4. Let the cheese starts to melt before spreading the quesadilla sauce on the top portion of the tortilla and folding it over the melting cheese and chicken.
5. Flip over and cook until slightly browned on both sides.

Recipe variations

This chicken quesadilla is true perfection, but if you desire, you could make a couple of alternations to this recipe you could:

• Swap the chicken for seasoned ground beef
• Swap the chicken for grilled peppers and onions if you want a vegetarian version
• You could swap the cheese blend for Cheddar if you desire.

How can you store leftover quesadillas?

If you have leftover quesadillas, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to three to four days. To store the quesadillas, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It is important to wrap them tightly to prevent air from getting in and causing the quesadillas to dry out or become stale.

What is the best way to reheat a quesadilla?

When you are ready to reheat the quesadillas, you can heat them up in a microwave or in a pan on the stovetop. If you choose to use a microwave, heat them in short intervals, and if you use the stovetop, be sure to heat them over low heat to prevent burning or overcooking. It is important to note that leftover quesadillas may not taste as good as fresh ones, so you may need to adjust the seasoning or add some fresh toppings to enhance the flavor.

Did you love this copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla recipe? Try these copycat recipes!

• Mild Taco Sauce
• Quesadilla Dipping Sauce
• Taco Bell Cinnamon Twists
• Taco Bell Crunchwrap Recipe
• Taco Bell Frutista
• Taco Bell Potatoes
• Taco Bell Taco Seasoning

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