Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla (Printer-Friendly Version)

Crispy chicken quesadillas with cheese blend and zesty sauce, done in 20 minutes for a quick, tasty meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Cheese Blend

02 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
04 - 1/2 cup shredded American cheese

→ Sauce

05 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
06 - 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeños
07 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Tortillas

09 - 4 large burrito-sized flour tortillas

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, chopped pickled jalapeños, cayenne pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir thoroughly and set aside to develop flavors.
02 - If using fresh chicken, cook until fully done and tender. If using leftover or rotisserie chicken, warm slightly to maintain juiciness.
03 - Preheat a cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until hot to ensure even browning without burning tortillas.
04 - Place one tortilla in the skillet. Spread half the cheese blend evenly on one half, layer with the chicken, then top with remaining cheese. Spread the prepared sauce on the empty half before folding the tortilla over the filling.
05 - Cook until the bottom is golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes.
06 - Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side until golden and the cheese melts.
07 - Remove from skillet and let rest approximately 1 minute to prevent cheese burns. Slice into wedges and serve warm.

# Additional Tips:

01 - Use medium heat to avoid burning tortillas while allowing cheese to melt fully.
02 - Prepare the sauce ahead of time to intensify the flavor.
03 - Rest quesadillas briefly before cutting for easier handling and improved texture.