Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Recipe
This Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla recipe recreates the iconic cheesy, spicy quesadilla with tender chicken and a flavorful jalapeno-based sauce. It combines a crispy flour tortilla with a melty blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and American cheeses, and a zesty homemade sauce for an irresistible Tex-Mex treat you can easily make at home.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 quesadillas (serves 2-4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Scale
Quesadilla Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
- 2 Tsp Minced Pickled Jalapenos
- 2 Tsp Pickled Jalapeno Juice
- 2/3 Tsp Sugar
- 1/2 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1/8 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/8 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Dash Salt
Quesadilla
- 1 Chicken Breast
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese Blend (or 1/2 cup each of Cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 1 Slice American Cheese
- 2 Flour Tortillas (Burrito size)
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil (for cooking)
- Salt and Pepper (to taste for chicken)
Instructions
- Prepare Quesadilla Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced pickled jalapenos, pickled jalapeno juice, sugar, ground cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and a dash of salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended. Set the sauce aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breast evenly with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breast and cook until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and slice it thinly.
- Assemble Quesadilla: Place one flour tortilla flat in the hot skillet. On one half of the tortilla, sprinkle 1/4 cup of the shredded cheese blend and place half a slice of American cheese on top. Add half of the sliced chicken over the cheese layer.
- Add Sauce and Fold: On the other half of the tortilla, spread about 1.5 tablespoons of the prepared quesadilla sauce evenly. Fold the tortilla over to cover the filling, pressing gently with a spatula to seal.
- Cook Quesadilla: Cook the folded quesadilla for 2 to 4 minutes on each side in the skillet over medium heat, until the cheese inside melts and the tortilla turns golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and use a pizza cutter to slice it into four equal pieces. Serve warm with extra sauce if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno and cayenne pepper in the sauce for more or less heat.
- Use burrito-sized flour tortillas to get the authentic Taco Bell quesadilla size and fold easily.
- Make sure the skillet is hot enough before cooking to get a crispy tortilla.
- Serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for additional dipping options.
Keywords: Taco Bell quesadilla recipe, copycat quesadilla, chicken quesadilla, Tex-Mex recipe, homemade quesadilla, jalapeno sauce quesadilla
