Description
Craving Taco Bell’s legendary chicken quesadilla? Spice up your kitchen with this irresistible copycat recipe that brings Mexican-inspired comfort right to your plate. Melted cheese, creamy sauce, and seasoned chicken await you.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Cheese:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Tortilla and Base:
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
Creamy Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp jalapeño juice
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together mayonnaise, jalapeño juice, white vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl to create the signature creamy sauce, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly blended and set aside.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, preparing to crisp the tortillas to golden perfection.
- Place one flour tortilla in the hot skillet, quickly spreading a thin layer of the creamy sauce across the entire surface.
- Sprinkle a generous blend of monterey jack and cheddar cheese over half of the tortilla, creating a rich, melty base.
- Distribute shredded chicken evenly over the cheese, ensuring complete coverage for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Fold the tortilla in half, pressing gently with a spatula to seal the edges and promote even cooking.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla turns a deep golden brown and the cheese melts completely, creating a crispy exterior and gooey interior.
- Remove from skillet, let rest for a minute, then slice diagonally into triangular sections.
- Repeat the process with remaining tortillas, chicken, cheese, and creamy sauce.
- Serve immediately while warm and cheese is at its melted peak, optionally garnishing with additional sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Sauce Consistency Matters: Whisk the creamy sauce ingredients thoroughly to prevent separation and ensure a smooth, even coating on the tortilla.
- Oil Temperature Control: Use medium-high heat to achieve a golden, crispy tortilla without burning, allowing the cheese to melt perfectly.
- Cheese Distribution Technique: Spread cheese evenly to create a uniform melt and prevent dry or overly cheesy spots in the quesadilla.
- Alternative Diet Adaptations: Swap flour tortillas with gluten-free options, use plant-based cheese for vegans, or substitute chicken with tofu or shredded jackfruit for vegetarian versions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 684
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg