Taco Bell Quesadilla Copycat Recipe (Chicken)
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A Taco Bell Quesadilla with chicken is just the thing you need to warm up at the end of the day! Save this easy copycat Taco Bell chicken quesadilla recipe for when you want something totally cheesy, super saucy, and ridiculously scrumptious for dinner.
I’m all about the melty cheese and simple ingredients to make this simple recipe.
It just so happens to be one of my favorite copycat recipes and something that I used to order off the Taco Bell menu all the time.
The best part about making chicken quesadilla recipes at home is that they taste so much better than fast food!
All that melted cheese paired with the tender chicken has me craving more each time!
You’ll love the flavor and ease of this one – trust me!
Taco Bell Quesadilla
I can’t resist a good Taco Bell® copycat recipe. Why go to the drive thru when you can just as easily make it in your own kitchen?
And it just doesn’t get easier than this meal right here. If you have tortillas, chicken, cheese, and a little bit of time, then you have a tasty dinner just waiting to be made!
Taco Bell recipes are always ridiculously delicious, and this one is no exception.
Savory and spicy seasoned chicken, ooey gooey Mexican cheese, and a zesty copycat Taco Bell creamy jalapeno sauce tucked inside of soft flour tortillas.
My favorite copycat recipe is the Black Bean Quesarito, it is so full of flavor! It can all be whipped up in no time flat!!
Who doesn’t love a great Mexican recipe? My personal favorites are my crazy easy carnitas recipe and Mexican red rice. In fact, I like to eat them together!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Shredded Chicken – For me, the easiest (and most delicious!) way to get good shredded chicken is by making crockpot shredded chicken.
You could also get a rotisserie chicken and shred that, or use any other cooked chicken.
And if you really wanted to live on the wild side, you could use other meat ingredients and make this into a steak quesadilla as well. - Tex Mex Seasoning – A garlicky, oniony, peppery, and earthy blend that’s almost too easy to make at home!
You can also just use garlic powder, chili powder, and a bit of jalapeno juice for flavor. - Pickled Jalapeño Brine – You can find pickled jalapeños in any Mexican market or down the international foods aisle.
And if you find jalapeños too overpowering in Taco Bell quesadilla sauce, swap them out with pickled banana peppers instead! - Grated Cheese – I like using Colby Jack because it’s a bit sweet, a bit sharp, and super smooth.
If you can, grate it fresh! It really makes a difference in both the flavor and texture of your homemade Taco Bell chicken quesadilla. - Tortillas – You want large, “burrito” size tortillas to make substantial quesadillas that can hold all of the meat and cheese we’re piling on.
Stick with flour tortillas for the right texture.
How to Make Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce
Simply whisk together mayo, sour cream, Tex Mex seasoning, and jalapeno brine until you get a nice, smooth consistency. That’s it!
Give it a taste test and see if you want to make any adjustments to your Taco Bell creamy jalapeno sauce.
More sour cream will make it a bit thicker, while more mayo will mellow things out.
Add extra seasoning for spicy flavor or more brine for heat. And if you want flavor and heat, you can stir in a dash or two of your favorite hot sauce.
Tips for Making a Chicken Quesadilla like Taco Bell
- Wrap and microwave before serving.
Don’t skip the final step of wrapping the copycat chicken quesadilla from Taco Bell in a damp paper towel to microwave it.
Not only does this melt the cheese, but it will get the wrap super soft! In fact, this is a great rule for reheating any burrito or quesadilla.
- Want vegetarian quesadillas?
Chicken and cheese quesadillas are so customizable! You can swap the meat for any veggies of your choice.
Mushrooms, bell peppers, and jalapeños are the first choices that come to mind to help fill you up and add some texture.
Or, use lentils or another meat-free protein if you prefer!
- Fry them for a crunchy exterior.
Some people prefer a quesadilla with a crisp outer shell. If this is you, then lay your Taco Bell quesadilla in a lightly oiled pan on medium heat.
Cook for just a couple of minutes on each side, until browned and crispy!
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Each ingredient — meat, cheese, and Taco Bell quesadilla sauce — is best stored individually and assembled as desired.
In this case, you should microwave the chicken until warmed and then proceed with the steps as normal.
You can also reheat your Taco Bell quesadilla whole if you prefer.
Do so the same way that you made them: wrap them up in a moist paper towel and microwave until the cheese is nice and melty.
Or, if you prefer the crispy texture, give them a few minutes in a pan on the stove.
Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla FAQ
Believe it or not, not a whole lot! You just need some Tex Mex seasoning, shredded cheese, sour cream, mayo, and some jalapeño juice.
And, of course, your favorite tortilla.
But this homemade Taco Bell chicken quesadilla recipe is super easy to make and only takes 15 minutes — not even! Much quicker than going to buy one from the restaurant.
Don’t let the jalapeño brine fool you — this sauce is not at all overwhelmingly spicy.
The sour cream and mayonnaise do an excellent job of cooling things down while also giving the sauce that smooth, creamy texture.
If you want it to be spicy, then you can add a bit of hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or plain black pepper.
For a chicken quesadilla like Taco Bell, I recommend Colby Jack or a Mexican blend — purely because of the way these cheeses work with the flavors at hand here!
But you can always use cheddar or Monterey Jack as well.
The key is to pick a cheese that melts easily and won’t make the tortilla soggy.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Taco Bell Copycat Recipes
Taco Bell Quesadilla Copycat Recipe (Chicken)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Tex-Mex seasoning
- 1 tablespoon pickled jalapeno brine
- 8 flour tortillas, burrito-size
- 4 cups freshly grated colby jack cheese, or Mexican blend
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast, (See Notes)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, Tex Mex seasoning, and jalapeno brine to make the Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce.
- Place one flour tortilla on a microwave-safe plate. Sprinkle with a cup of grated cheese and ½ cup of shredded chicken.
- Drizzle with desired amount of quesadilla sauce – ¼ cup is a good starting point. Top with a second flour tortilla.
- Wrap the quesadilla lightly in paper towels and place in the microwave. Cook on high power for an initial 60 seconds, then for 30-seconds at a time until the cheese completely melts.
- Serve while hot, and enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
Adjust the amounts of the fillings to taste. This recipe calls for a generous amount of cheese, for an extra cheesy quesadilla. This can be reduced for a more health-friendly quesadilla. Wrapping the quesadilla in paper towels before microwaving helps retain moisture in the tortilla and prevents them from drying out or getting crispy at the edges.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published August 2022, updated and republished September 2024
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Much better than Taco Bell. I love being able to put a lot of chicken in mine. Taco bell’s are always flat and have barely anything in them.
I have question not related to this recipe.
Do you have any recipes for liver sans onion that tastes really good?
donna and chad always come through with the best recipes! This Taco Bell Quesadilla is a 5-star winner!
Hi Ella!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
OMG, this Taco Bell Quesadilla was so delicious and easy to make. I’m loving Donna and Chad’s recipes!
Hi Noah!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn