Taco Bell’s chicken quesadillas are a fan favorite menu item featuring melted cheese and chicken between two tortillas. But what really takes this dish to the next level is Taco Bell’s secret quesadilla sauce. Keep reading to learn all about this delicious creamy sauce and how to make it yourself!
An Overview of Taco Bell Quesadillas
Taco Bell first introduced quesadillas to their menu in the early 1990s. Since then, they have become one of the most popular items. Customers love the gooey melted cheese and sauce wrapped up in a grilled flour tortilla.
The traditional Taco Bell chicken quesadilla contains chicken, a three cheese blend, and their creamy jalapeno sauce. The chicken provides a nice meaty texture contrasted with the oozy melted cheese. The sauce is really the star of the show tying all the components together with its unique sweet yet spicy flavor.
Over the years, Taco Bell has expanded its quesadilla selection to offer steak, shredded beef, or veggie varieties. However, the original chicken quesadilla with that signature sauce remains a top seller. Fans just can’t seem to get enough of it!
The Creamy Jalapeno Sauce – What Makes It Special
Taco Bell quesadilla sauce has developed quite a cult following over the years. This creamy concoction features a perfect blend of flavors resulting in a sauce that is sweet, spicy, and tangy. It has just the right amount of heat to keep you coming back for more.
While Taco Bell has kept most of the exact ingredients a secret, foodies have been able to identify some of the main components. These include mayonnaise, sour cream, cumin, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and of course jalapenos.
It’s the combination of the cool and creamy mayo and sour cream with the zippy pickled jalapenos that really makes this sauce special. The spices add depth of flavor while also providing a subtle heat.
This versatile sauce not only tastes great on quesadillas but can also be used on tacos, burritos, nachos, and more. Its addicting flavor makes it hard to stop after just one bite!
Recreating the Sauce at Home
Luckily for Taco Bell fans, copycat recipes allow you to recreate this magical quesadilla sauce in your own kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a spot-on copycat.
This homemade version combines mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, onion powder, jalapeno slices, and jalapeno juice. Mix everything together until nice and smooth.
For best results, allow the sauce to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before using. This allows the flavors to really come together.
The resulting sauce is so close to the Taco Bell original, you may even find yourself liking it more! It can be customized to your preferred spice level by adjusting the amount of jalapenos.
Uses for Homemade Quesadilla Sauce
A batch of this creamy and tangy sauce is great to have on hand. Here are just a few ways to put it to use:
- Spread it in a quesadilla before grilling for tons of flavor
- Use as a dip for chicken tenders or fries
- Drizzle it over tacos or burritos for a flavor boost
- Toss with rice and veggies for a spicy stir fry
- Mix with mac and cheese or baked potatoes for a tasty twist
- Use as a creamy salad dressing or veggie dip
The possibilities are endless! The sauce also keeps well for 4-5 days refrigerated so you can enjoy it all week long.
Quesadilla Sauce Copycat Recipe
To make about 1 cup of this delicious copycat sauce, you’ll need:
- 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise
- 1⁄2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno juice
- 2-3 tablespoons pickled jalapenos, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder
- Pinch of salt and pepper
Simply combine everything in a bowl and mix well until fully incorporated. Allow to chill before serving for best results. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.
So there you have it – an inside look at the secret sauce that makes Taco Bell’s chicken quesadillas so crave-worthy! With this copycat recipe, you can recreate the magic at home anytime.
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Wondering how to make the perfect creamy and just spicy enough Copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce? Look no further! I can show you how to make the perfect homemade quesadilla sauce recipe.
Taco Bell’s quesadilla sauce is creamy, full of flavor, a little tangy, and just spicy enough (not to mention downright delicious). Even better, it’s so easy to make with standard pantry ingredients. This copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce comes together in just a few minutes, so it’s easy to fit in while you’re making the rest of your meal.
We make a batch of this quesadilla sauce whenever we meal prep any kind of Mexican food. It’s also just as delicious on burrito bowls and it makes an amazing creamy taco sauce recipe.
This has become such a favorite addition to so many meals, and my husband requests it all the time. If you’ve got any sauce lovers in your love, this is bound to be a huge hit with them.
You can spread this Taco Bell chicken quesadilla sauce recipe inside the quesadilla before cooking. You could also do what I like to do and use it as a quesadilla dipping sauce.
How to make Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce:
It’s really so simple. Just measure out the different ingredients into a bowl, and stir to combine. I find that the sauce is the best when you take the time to evenly dice the pickled jalapenos, but roughly chopped will also work. The sauce will also taste better after it’s had some time to let the flavors mingle in the fridge.
Looking for more copycat Taco Bell recipes? Check out this post by Taco Bell where they list some of their favorite copycat recipes.
Looking for more delicious sauce recipes? Try my Creamy Green Sauce. It’s amazing and you can put it on just about anything!
If you’re reading this recipe, you’re probably as much of a quesadilla fiend as I am. I mean, really, is there any better meal than melted cheese, crispy carbs, and protein? If you love quesadillas, this affordable kitchen tool will up your quesadilla game. I love mine and use it all the time.
This copycat Taco Bell Quesadilla Sauce comes together in just a few minutes. Its creamy, full of flavor, a little tangy, and just spicy enough (not to mention downright delicious).
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 3 Tablespoons pickled jalapeno juice (from a jar of pickled jalapenos)
- 3 Tablespoons pickled jalapenos (diced)
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together.
Nutrition information isnt always accurate.
Copycat Taco Bell Chicken Quesadilla – So Easy!
FAQ
What sauce goes in a chicken quesadilla?
A classic chicken quesadilla typically includes a creamy sauce made with a base of mayonnaise and/or sour cream, often with added spices. Common additions include taco seasoning, garlic powder, cumin, and hot sauce. Some recipes also incorporate jalapeno juice or diced jalapenos for a tangy, spicy kick.
What does Taco Bell put on chicken quesadillas?
The classic Taco Bell quesadilla is made with a flour tortilla, a hearty layer of melted cheese, grilled chicken, and a creamy quesadilla jalapeño sauce.
What’s in the bell sauce at Taco Bell?
Water, Tomato Puree (Water, Tomato Paste), Vinegar, Contains Less Than 2% Of Salt, Chili Pepper, Spices, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Potassium Chloride, Maltodextrin, Yeast Extract, Datem, Natural Flavors.
What is Taco Bell creamy jalapeno sauce made of?
What is creamy jalapeno sauce made of? This creamy jalapeno sauce is made with pickled jalapenos, a yogurt base, and a blend of spices such as onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin.