Who doesn’t love Taco Bell, right?
One of my absolute fav from them is the cheesy spicy Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas. So today I’ll show you how to whip up your own at home using ingredients you probably already have in your fridge. Let’s get started!
A Quick And Easy Dish To Satisfy Those Fast-Food Cravings Without Having To Go Out.
Plus, they are super simple to make. All you need are some tortillas, chicken, and cheese in chipotle sauce. You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken for this recipe, talk about the convenience.
I hope you enjoy this Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas as much as I do! Now let’s get cooking! 🌮🧀🤤
To Make This Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas, You Will Need:
Chicken breast: Choose a boneless, skinless chicken breast that is fresh and has no off-putting odor. Look for a pinkish color with no discoloration or excessive moisture.
Taco seasoning: Use a quality taco seasoning mix, which can be store-bought or homemade. Ensure it’s not expired and suits your preferred spice level.
Cayenne pepper: Select cayenne pepper for added heat. Adjust the quantity to your personal spice preference. Make sure it’s not too old; it should have a vibrant red color and a strong aroma.
Taco Bell creamy Chipotle sauce: Use Taco Bell’s creamy chipotle sauce or a similar brand for authentic flavor. Check the expiry date and ensure the sauce is not spoiled.
Mozzarella cheese: Choose shredded mozzarella cheese. Check for freshness, and it should have a mild, milky aroma.
Monterey Jack cheese: Opt for shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Ensure it’s fresh and has a slightly tangy, creamy taste.
Cheddar cheese: Select shredded cheddar cheese for a sharp and rich flavor. Look for freshness and a smooth texture.
Flour tortillas: Use medium-sized flour tortillas. Look for tortillas that are soft, pliable, and not past their expiration date.
Cooking spray or cooking oil: If using cooking spray, ensure it’s not expired and works correctly. If using cooking oil, choose a neutral oil like canola or vegetable oil.
How To Make The Best Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas?
Prepare the chicken: Butterfly the chicken breast and hammer it out a bit. Then fry it on a griddle with taco seasoning and cayenne.
Cook the seasoned chicken: Cook the seasoned chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side or until it’s fully cooked and has a nice char. Remove the chicken from the heat, let it rest for a minute, then dice it into small pieces.
Mix the diced chicken: Mix the diced chicken with Taco Bell’s creamy chipotle sauce; set aside.
Assemble the Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas: Lay out one flour tortilla. Scoop the chicken, then sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on top.
Fold and cook: Fold the other half of the tortilla over the toppings, creating a half-moon shape.
Place the filled tortilla on the griddle or skillet over medium heat and cook until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Serve and enjoy: Remove the quesadilla from the heat and let it cool slightly. Slice it into wedges, serve hot, and enjoy your delicious Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas with side dishes of your choice!
Estimate Nutritional Information:
Serving: 1 serving (1 quesadilla)
Calories: 350kcal | Total Fat: 40g | Sodium: 1480mg | Carbohydrates: 53g | Dietary Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Protein: 58g
Recipe Notes And Helpful Tips:
Seasoning: Feel free to adjust the amount of seasoning and cayenne pepper to suit your preferred level of spiciness. You can make it milder or spicier according to your taste.
Chicken cooking: Be sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy. Cooking it for 3-4 minutes per side should be sufficient, but the exact time may vary based on the thickness of the chicken.
Folding technique: When folding the tortilla, press down gently to ensure the ingredients stick together. You can also use a spatula to help flip the quesadilla.
Even cooking: To ensure even cooking, use a medium heat setting on your griddle or skillet. Cooking too fast or too slow can affect the texture of the quesadilla.
Toppings and sides: Customize your quesadillas with your favorite toppings, such as diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or fresh cilantro. Serve with sides like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream for a complete meal.
Serving fresh: Quesadillas are best enjoyed hot and fresh from the griddle, so serve them immediately for the ultimate cheesy, melty experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FQAs):
1. Can I Use Pre-Cooked Chicken For This Recipe?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked chicken, such as leftover rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken. Simply dice it and then sauté it with the taco seasoning and cayenne pepper for a few minutes to infuse the flavors.
2. Are There Any Alternatives To The Taco Bell Brand Creamy Chipotle Sauce?
If you can’t find Taco Bell’s sauce, you can use other creamy chipotle sauces available at your local grocery store or make your own by mixing mayonnaise or sour cream with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
3. Can I Make These Quesadillas In Advance And Reheat Them Later?
While they are best when served fresh, you can make these quesadillas in advance and reheat them in an oven or on a griddle. Just be cautious not to overcook them during reheating to maintain their texture.
4. What Side Dishes Pair Well With Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas?
These quesadillas go great with sides like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or a simple side salad. You can also serve them with rice and beans for a heartier meal.
5. Can I Freeze These Quesadillas For Later?
Yes, you can freeze assembled but uncooked quesadillas. Place parchment paper between each quesadilla to prevent sticking, then wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. When ready to eat, cook them from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
6. What Are Some Possible Variations For This Recipe?
You can customize this recipe by adding ingredients like sautéed bell peppers, onions, or even black beans for extra flavor and texture. Experiment with different cheese blends and spice levels to suit your taste.
7. How Do I Prevent The Quesadilla From Falling Apart When I Flip It?
To prevent the quesadilla from falling apart when flipping, use a spatula to support the folded side while turning it over. Press down gently to ensure the tortilla sticks together.
8. Can I Use Whole Wheat Or Gluten-Free Tortillas?
Yes, you can use whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas to make this dish healthier or suitable for dietary preferences. Just ensure they’re of good quality and don’t overstuff them.
Let’s Make The Easy Cheesy Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas!
And there you have it – these cheesy Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas are ready to take its place on your table. If you decide to give it a shot, make sure to snap a photo and share it with us on Facebook and Pinterest.
Be sure to follow us for more yummy recipes in the future. Until next time, happy cooking!
Easy Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 chicken breast
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp Taco Bell creamy Chipotle sauce
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 medium-sized flour tortillas
- cooking spray or a small amount of cooking oil
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the chicken:
Butterfly the chicken breast by cutting it horizontally, creating two thinner halves.
Place the chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper.
Gently pound the chicken with a meat mallet or rolling pin until it’s even in thickness, about 1/2 inch thick.
Step 2: Season and cook the chicken:
In a small bowl, mix the taco seasoning and cayenne pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken.
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly grease the griddle with cooking spray or a small amount of cooking oil.
Cook the seasoned chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side or until it’s fully cooked and has a nice char.
Remove the chicken from the heat, let it rest for a minute, then dice it into small pieces.
Step 3: Assemble the quesadillas:
Lay out one flour tortilla. Scoop the chicken, then sprinkle a generous amount mixture of mozzarella, Monterey Jack, and cheddar cheese.
Step 4: Fold and cook:
Fold the other half of the tortilla over the toppings, creating a half-moon shape.
Place the filled tortilla on the griddle or skillet over medium heat.
Cook until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 2-3 minutes per side.
Step 5: Serve and enjoy:
Remove the quesadilla from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Slice the quesadilla into wedges. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas!
Notes
Optional serving suggestions: Serve with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or additional chipotle sauce for dipping. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or diced tomatoes for extra flavor and presentation.
