Ruby Tuesday's Chicken Quesadillas

Ruby Tuesday’s Chicken Quesadillas (Long, Detailed Copycat Recipe)

These quesadillas are filled with seasoned grilled chicken, a blend of cheeses, sautéed peppers & onions, and a creamy Southwest sauce — crispy on the outside, melty on the inside.

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INGREDIENTS

For the Chicken

• 2 boneless chicken breasts

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp chili powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp cumin

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)

• Salt & black pepper

For the Vegetables

• 1 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• ½ medium onion, thinly sliced

• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Cheese Blend (Restaurant Style)

• 1 cup shredded cheddar

• 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack

• ½ cup pepper jack (optional for heat)

For the Southwest “Sonora” Sauce (important for authentic flavor)

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp sour cream

• 1 tsp lime juice

• 1 tsp chili powder

• ½ tsp cumin

• ½ tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp sugar

• ½ tsp chipotle in adobo OR ½ tsp hot sauce

• Salt to taste

For Assembling

• 6–8 large flour tortillas

• Butter or oil for pan

• Optional: diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, cilantro

For Serving

• Sour cream

• Guacamole

• Salsa or pico de gallo

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⭐ INSTRUCTIONS (LONG & CLEAR)

1. Season & Cook the Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry.

2. Rub with olive oil and all the spices (chili powder, paprika, cumin, garlic, onion powder, cayenne, salt, pepper).

3. Grill, pan-sear, or bake until fully cooked (grill gives best flavor).

4. Slice thinly or chop into small cubes.

5. Set aside.

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2. Sauté the Vegetables

In a large skillet:

1. Melt butter with olive oil.

2. Add onions and peppers.

3. Cook until soft and slightly caramelized, about 6–7 minutes.

4. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds more.

5. Remove from heat.

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3. Make the Southwest Cream Sauce

Stir together:

• mayonnaise

• sour cream

• lime juice

• chili powder

• paprika

• cumin

• sugar

• chipotle or hot sauce

• salt

Taste → adjust brightness with more lime or heat with more chipotle.

This is the signature flavor layer in Ruby Tuesday’s quesadillas.

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4. Assemble the Quesadillas

For each tortilla:

1. Spread a thin layer of Southwest sauce over entire surface.

2. Sprinkle a handful of cheese blend on one half.

3. Add:

   • chicken slices

   • sautéed peppers & onions

4. Add another handful of cheese on top (cheese acts as glue).

5. Fold tortilla in half.

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5. Cook the Quesadillas

Heat a skillet or griddle to medium.

1. Lightly butter or oil the surface.

2. Place quesadilla down, cooking 2–3 minutes per side until:

   • tortilla is golden & crisp

   • cheese is fully melted

3. Press gently with a spatula to seal.

Repeat with remaining tortillas.

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6. Slice & Serve

Cut into wedges with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Serve with:

• sour cream

• salsa / pico

• guacamole

• lime wedges

Garnish with fresh cilantro or extra Southwest sauce.

⭐ OPTIONAL ADD-INS (For an Even Better, Longer Version)

More Restaurant-Level Flavor

• Add roasted corn

• Add black beans

• Use chipotle tortilla wraps

• Add a thin layer of green chiles

• Add smoked bacon bits (Ruby Tuesday sometimes did this regionally)

Extra Melty Cheese Trick

Mix 2 tbsp cream cheese into the cheese blend for a richer melt.

Make It Spicy

Add:

• jalapeño slices

• extra chipotle

• hot pepper jack cheese

Make Them Crispy Like a Restaurant

Brush outer tortilla lightly with melted butter before cooking.

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⭐ Storing & Reheating

• Store fully cooked quesadillas 3 days in the fridge.

• Reheat in an air fryer or skillet for best crispness.

OTHER RECIPES

A nice Ruby Tuesday recipe to try !
Ruby Tuesday Recipe Ingredients:

• 5 oz. chicken breast
• Italian Dressing
• 12 inch flour tortilla
• margarine
• 1 cup shredded monterey jack/cheddar cheese
• 1 Tablespoon tomatoes, diced
• 1 Tablespoon jalapeno peppers, diced
• Cajun Seasoning (to taste)
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• Sour Cream
• Salsa

Ruby Tuesday Recipe INSTRUCTIONS

Place chicken breast in a bowl with enough Italian dressing to coat; allow to marinate 30 minutes, refrigerated. Grill marinated chicken until done in a lightly oiled pan. Cut into 3/4" pieces and set aside.

Brush one side of tortilla with margarine and place in frying pan over medium heat. On one half of tortilla, add cheese, 1 Tbls. tomatoes, peppers, and Cajun seasoning in that order. Make sure to spread to the edge of the half. Top with diced chicken, fold empty tortilla side on top, and flip over in pan so that cheese is on top of chicken. Cook until very warm throughout.

Remove from pan to serving plate and cut into six equal wedges on one side of plate. On the other side put lettuce, topped with 1/4 cup tomatoes, and then topped with sour cream. Serve your favorite salsa in a small bowl on the side. 

The Ruby Tuesday recipe of chicken is ready to serve ! Enjoy it !
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