Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

Experience a burst of flavor with this creamy chicken quesadilla featuring succulent shredded chicken, melted cheese and zesty chicken quesadilla sauce. An Easy Recipes Dinner Chicken favorite, this home-cooked delight offers fun new dinner ideas and beginner friendly recipes. Enjoy a truly satisfying meal redefining dinner with uniquely simple tortillas.

I love making this Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla because it’s a great mix of tasty and healthy too. I start with 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breasts that I cook, shred and mix with the filling.

The protein in the chicken is a good source to help keep your energy up. Then I layer on 4 6-inch flour tortillas filled with 1.5 cups shredded cheese blend made of cheddar and Monterey Jack, which melts perfectly and brings both flavour and calcium.

I mix in 1/2 cup sour cream and minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, along with 1 teaspoon lime juice and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder to give a tangy, spicy kick. I like adding 1/4 cup diced red onions for crunch and season with salt and pepper.

A splash of cooking oil is used for a quick sauté and I finish it off by garnishing with fresh cilantro. This dish is an easy dinner recipe thats simple to make and nutritionally balanced.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe cause it’s super easy to make and brings back memories of my favorite fast food without having to leave home. The chipotle sauce mixed with sour cream and lime juice gives it a kick that makes it so flavorful it always surprises me. I also love how the melted cheese and crispy tortilla create this awesome texture contrast with the tender chicken that makes each bite really satisfying. Plus, it’s fun to throw in a little extra spice if im in the mood, so it keeps things interesting every time I make it.

Ingredients

• Chicken: lean, protein-packed meat that offers a hearty, savory base for the quesadilla.
• Flour tortillas: mild, carbohydrate-rich wraps that hold all the fillings and flavors well.
• Shredded cheese blend: melty, creamy, rich mix that enhances taste though a tad fatty.
• Sour cream: cool, tangy dollop balancing the spicy and smoky flavors wonderfully.
• Chipotle peppers: smoky, spicy, slightly tangy additions that inject a fiery kick.
• Red onions: crisp, sweet crunch providing fibre and a bold flavor punch.
• Fresh cilantro: aromatic, zesty leaves that brighten and freshen every bite.
• Lime juice: offers a sharp sour note that sparks the spicy blend.
• Garlic powder: mild, aromatic spice adding extra warmth to the overall heat.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 4 6-inch flour tortillas
• 1.5 cups shredded cheese blend (cheddar and Monterey Jack work great)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onions
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A splash of cooking oil for sautéing
• Fresh cilantro for garnish if you like it extra fresh

How to Make this

1. In a small bowl, mix the sour cream, minced chipotle peppers, lime juice and garlic powder to create a smooth sauce.

2. Make sure your shredded chicken is seasoned with salt and pepper. If it isn’t already seasoned, toss it in some salt and pepper.

3. Heat a splash of oil in a skillet over medium heat and gently sauté the diced red onions until they soften.

4. Warm your 6-inch flour tortillas for about 20-30 seconds in the microwave or on another skillet so they’re more pliable.

5. Spread a generous spoonful of the chipotle sauce on each tortilla all over.

6. Evenly distribute the shredded chicken on the sauced tortilla, then sprinkle the shredded cheese blend over the top.

7. Add the sautéed red onions and if you like, a little extra chipotle sauce on top of the cheese.

8. Fold your tortilla in half, pressing down slightly to help all the fillings stick together.

9. Place the folded quesadilla into the skillet over medium heat; cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is lightly crispy.

10. Remove from the skillet, garnish with some fresh cilantro if desired, and serve hot. Enjoy your homemade Taco Bell style Chicken Quesadilla!

Equipment Needed

1. Small bowl for mixing the sour cream, chipotle peppers, lime juice, and garlic powder
2. Measuring spoons for the chipotle peppers, lime juice, and garlic powder
3. Non-stick skillet for sautéing the diced red onions and cooking the quesadilla
4. Microwave or a second skillet to warm the tortillas
5. Knife and cutting board for dicing the red onions
6. Spatula for flipping and pressing the quesadilla during cooking
7. Optional: Tongs for safely handling the hot quesadilla when removing it from the skillet

FAQ

Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have boneless chicken, try using turkey breasts or even shredded rotisserie chicken since they work good in a pinch
• If you cant find chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, a pinch of smoked paprika mixed with a bit of diced jalapeño can give you a similar smoky flavor
• If sour cream is scarce, plain Greek yogurt makes an awesome replacement with a tangy taste
• If the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese blend isnt available, a Mexican blend or even mozzarella mixed with a bit of provolone will do the trick
• Instead of 6-inch flour tortillas, you could use whole wheat tortillas or soft taco shells to mix things up

Pro Tips

1. Try warming your tortillas directly in a pan for a few seconds on each side if you want them extra pliable yet lightly crispy; the microwave works, but the stovetop gives you that extra hint of char.
2. Give the red onions extra time if you like ’em super soft and caramelized, but keep an eye on them cause they can go from perfect to burnt real quick.
3. Mix your chipotle sauce a little earlier so the flavors have time to marry together, and adjust the chipotle peppers if you want it milder or extra spicy – experimenting here can really make the quesadilla your own.
4. Season the chicken after shredding if you feel it needs a flavor boost; a pinch more salt and pepper or even a squeeze more lime juice can really step up the taste in every bite.