Quesadilla Explosion Salad (Chili’s Copycat Recipe)
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Make my Quesadilla Explosion Salad when you don’t feel like going out to eat! Inspired by the quesadilla explosion salad from Chili’s, it’s bursting with fresh ingredients and flavors. Toasted cheese quesadillas, flavorful chicken, a spicy dressing, homemade corn salad, and plenty of mixed greens come together to create something totally drool-worthy!!
I could literally gobble up this whole dish! It’s quickly become one of my favorite salad recipes, especially when I’m craving a fresh meal.
This easy recipe is a fun way (and the perfect way) to make salad assembly anything but routine and a bore. Say goodbye to those soggy salad woes, and get ready to love the flavor of this dish.
Copycat recipes like this are a fun way to recreate dishes right at home.
Table of Contents
Quesadilla Explosion Salad
If you love cheesy quesadillas and chicken, you’re going to love this quesadilla explosion salad!
The name really says it all… it’s like a quesadilla exploded all over a big bowl of greens.
I just love a big ol’ loaded salad. Some of my other favorites include my BBQ chicken salad, broccoli salad with bacon, and my taco salad!
I also love this hearty and refreshing Chick Fil A Market Salad Copycat Recipe!
They’re filled with veggies but are so much better than your average garden salad.
This recipe was, of course, inspired by Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Salad.
Crunchy cheese quesadillas, pan-grilled chicken, homemade corn salsa, crispy tortilla strips, shredded cheese, and spicy chipotle ranch dressing come together to create something totally tasty.
At first glance, it looks like this recipe is full of a lot of steps. But trust me, it doesn’t take long to make! Once you get going, it should only take about 35 minutes. Score!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Chicken Breast – I like using chicken breast best because it’s easiest to find and work with! If you want a shortcut, you could use rotisserie chicken instead.
If you do go that route, I still recommend sautéing it in some taco seasoning before adding it to the salad. - Vegetables – You’ll need frozen sweet corn, bell pepper, Roma tomatoes, and red onion to create the homemade corn salsa, plus some mixed salad greens as the base of your quesadilla salad.
- Lime Juice – Also for the corn salsa! I like freshly squeezed lime juice myself, though you can use bottled if you have it on hand.
- Tortillas – We’re making the quesadillas from scratch for our quesadilla explosion salad! Use flour tortillas for the best results.
- Colby Jack Cheese – To add to the cheese quesadillas and on top of the assembled salad.
Feel free to experiment with other cheeses! Pepper Jack and cheddar are some good options. I also think that a Mexican cheese blend in this hot quesadilla sounds pretty amazing.
No matter what kind you use, shred it yourself! Pre-shredded varieties just don’t melt as well.
- Crispy Tortilla Strips – As a garnish for your quesadilla explosion salad. Make your own or buy some from the store!
- Chipotle Ranch Dressing – You can use your favorite brand — there are plenty of options out there.
Make an option using your favorite dressing ingredients or you can even use creamy avocado ranch, a homemade vinaigrette recipe, or a chipotle-ranch drizzle. - Vegetable Oil – To cook the chicken and cheese quesadillas. I like canola best.
- Seasonings – You’ll need taco seasoning, fresh cilantro, salt and pepper.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Perfect Chili’s Quesadilla Explosion Salad
- Assemble the salad just before serving.
This is one of those recipes that is best served fresh.
Once your chicken is cooked and your quesadillas are done, start to assemble them along with the other ingredients in a large bowl.
The corn salsa can be made in advance and stored in the fridge — in fact, it’s even tastier if the flavors have the chance to meld together.
Otherwise, plan to make and serve your quesadilla explosion salad right away!
- Make sure to cook the quesadillas until crispy.
One of the best parts about a quesadilla explosion salad from Chili’s is that the quesadillas are almost always nice and crispy!
Aim to cook your cheese quesadilla wedges until the exterior becomes golden brown and the entire quesadilla is toasted.
Not only will it taste delicious, but the texture will also add a bit of contrast to the other ingredients.
- Upgrade your quesadilla salad.
There are a couple of extra steps you can take to make your Chili’s quesadilla explosion salad even better!
Consider letting the chicken marinate in the taco seasoning for at least 30 minutes before cooking for a more pronounced flavor.
And instead of frozen kernels, you could also use corn on the cob or char the corn before adding it to the homemade salsa.
Both are totally optional, but if you have the time, it’s worth your while!
Prep Ahead
- Defrost and drain corn
- Shred the cheese
- Dice vegetables for salsa
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Skillet – This is my go-to pan that I’ve had for over a decade! It heats evenly and cleans up beautifully with a little baking soda so it still looks brand new.
- Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
Serving Suggestions
Remember to serve your quesadilla explosion salad from Chili’s immediately after assembly for the best, freshest results. You gotta keep those tortilla crunchies fresh!
If you’d like to add some extra toppings, go for it! I love avocado slices, black beans, and jalapenos.
You could also add diced red bell pepper, sour cream, black bean salsa, chopped cherry tomatoes, extra corn kernels or corn relish, and your favorite salad dressing.
This salad makes for a full meal on its own, but it would taste great with some Mexican rice, guacamole, and chips, or some chicken and cheese taquitos on the side!
Don’t forget the dessert! Try my Chili’s Molten Lava Cake recipe for indulgent chocolate and creamy vanilla ice cream!
Storage and Reheating
Make sure to only assemble as many salads as you need. Leftover chicken, corn salsa, and cheese quesadillas can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
If you store them together with your mixed greens, you’ll end up with a mushy mess!
You can use your oven to reheat the chicken and quesadillas. Preheat to 350°F and heat for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Quesadilla Salad Recipe FAQ
Sure! As mentioned, I like using chicken breast to make my quesadilla explosion salad from Chili’s because it’s easiest… I honestly always have a pack in the fridge or freezer. But, you can certainly use whatever chicken or chicken cutlets you prefer or have on hand.
Absolutely! This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover quesadillas you have in the fridge. Note that it’s best to reheat them just before assembling your Chili’s quesadilla explosion salad so they’re nice and crispy.
Yes, you can! Instead of chicken, you can use black beans, chickpeas, or even tofu. Prepare your plant-based substitute with taco seasoning all the same, and you’ll get the same flavors. Alternatively, if protein isn’t a huge priority, simply omit the chicken without replacing it with something else.
Sure! You can use fajita meats or anything else that you want. While I do love the fajita-marinated chicken, the flavors of this dish really do pair well with other various food items. Beef, chicken, or pork are all basic contenders that would pair well.
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Quesadilla Explosion Salad (Chili’s Copycat Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 24 ounces chicken breast cutlets, 4 6 ounce cutlets
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
For the corn salsa:
- 12 ounce bag sweet corn, defrosted and drained
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup diced roma tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- juice of 1 lime
- salt and pepper, to taste
For the cheese quesadillas:
- 4 8 inch flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- vegetable oil, for cooking
For the salad:
- 8 cups mixed salad greens, romaine lettuce and mixed greens
- 1 cup shredded colby jack cheese
- 1 cup corn salsa, recipe below
- 1/2 cup crispy tortilla strips
- 3/4 cup chipotle ranch dressing
- 4 cheese quesadillas, cut into fourths (recipe below)
Instructions
For the chicken:
- Rub the chicken breast cutlets with taco seasoning on both sides.
- In a skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken cutlets and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Remove them from the skillet and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips. Set aside.
For the corn salsa:
- In a medium bowl, combine the defrosted sweet corn, diced red bell pepper, diced roma tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and lime juice.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, mix well, cover, and set aside.
For the cheese quesadillas:
- Place a tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle a quarter cup of shredded colby jack cheese on half of the tortilla.
- Fold the tortilla in half over the cheese to create a half-moon shape.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and lightly coat with vegetable oil.
- Place the filled tortilla in the skillet and cook until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is melting.
- Flip the quesadilla and cook the other side until golden brown and the cheese is completely melted.
- Remove from the skillet and repeat with the remaining tortillas and cheese. Allow the quesadillas to rest for 2 minutes, then cut them into thirds. Set aside.
For salad assembly:
- On a large platter or four individual salad plates, add the mixed green lettuce.
- Top with the corn salsa, followed by the shredded colby jack cheese, and sliced chicken. Arrange the quesadillas around the salad, and top with the crispy tortilla strips.
- Serve with the chipotle ranch on the side or drizzle over top of the salads. Enjoy!
Donna’s Notes
To reheat the chicken and quesadillas, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. You can prepare the corn salsa a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. This allows the flavors to meld together and intensify for a tastier salsa. Feel free to add avocado slices, black beans, or jalapeños to the salad assembly for extra flavor and texture.
Experiment with different cheese varieties such as pepper jack or cheddar for the quesadillas to suit your taste preferences.
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 April 2024, updated and republished March 2025
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We’re Donna and Chad, the dream team behind The Slow Roasted Italian. Our focus is on taking complicated OUT of the kitchen. Life is busy enough, making meals should be fast and easy, to help make your life as simple as possible. Read More >>
This is one of my favorite salads at any restaurant and I was so excited to see you post a copycat! It was worth the work! Oh my goodness it is so good, and I can say it is even better than the one at Chili’s! Thank you Donna, I will be making this all the time and saving money too!
Hi Lindsey!!
We’re so glad you enjoyed the recipe!!
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn
Omg this recipe was an absolute breeze to make! So tasty too!
Hi Cameron!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn