Chicken quesadillas are a delicious and satisfying meal that is easy to make. They combine tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and gooey cheese, all wrapped in a crispy tortilla. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a snack, this recipe brings a taste of Mexico to your kitchen and is sure to please everyone.
Why Make This Recipe
Making chicken quesadillas is a fantastic choice because they are quick to prepare and can be customized to suit your taste. You can use leftover chicken or even change the fillings based on what you have at hand. Plus, they are great for gatherings or family meals, offering a fun and interactive dining experience. Enjoy them with your favorite toppings for a tasty treat!
How to Make Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into ¾-inch pieces, about 2 breasts)
- ½ onion (diced)
- 1 bell pepper (any color, diced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade; use ½ packet)
- ¼ cup taco sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Salsa (for serving)
- Guacamole (for serving)
- Jalapeño peppers (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro (for serving)
Directions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until it is no longer pink on the surface but not fully cooked through.
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Continue to cook until the vegetables are softened and the chicken is completely cooked.
- Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and taco sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Wipe out the skillet or use a second skillet and set it over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt.
- While the butter is melting, sprinkle a handful of cheese on one half of a tortilla. Top it with a quarter of the chicken mixture and another handful of cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and place it in the pan.
- Cook until the underside is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Flip it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden on the other side.
- Repeat this process with the remaining quesadillas. Serve with your favorite toppings.
How to Serve Chicken Quesadillas
Serve chicken quesadillas hot from the skillet with a variety of toppings like sour cream, salsa, guacamole, jalapeño peppers, and fresh cilantro. This allows each person to customize their quesadilla to their liking and enjoy a burst of flavors!
How to Store Chicken Quesadillas
To store leftover chicken quesadillas, let them cool down first. Then, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container. You can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you want to store them for longer, consider freezing them. Just make sure to separate them with parchment paper and store them in a freezer-safe bag.
Tips to Make Chicken Quesadillas
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken at the beginning. It will continue to cook when combined with the other ingredients.
- Using a mix of cheeses can add more flavor to your quesadillas. Try including Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese along with the Mexican blend.
- For extra crunch, you can cook the quesadillas a bit longer or use a panini press.
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe by adding different vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or corn. If you want a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken with veggies or beans.
FAQs
1. Can I make chicken quesadillas ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the filling in advance and assemble the quesadillas just before cooking. They make for a quick meal!
2. What if I don’t have taco seasoning?
You can make your own by mixing chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and paprika. This gives you a homemade taco flavor without the need for store-bought seasoning.
3. How can I make my quesadillas spicier?
To add heat, you can include spicy peppers in your filling or top them with spicy salsa or jalapeños.
Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
For the Quesadilla Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil For cooking the chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into ¾-inch pieces, about 2 breasts)
- ½ onion (diced)
- 1 bell pepper (any color, diced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning Store-bought or homemade; use ½ packet
- ¼ cup taco sauce Store-bought or homemade
For Cooking the Quesadillas
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided) For cooking the quesadillas
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend For filling the quesadillas
For Serving
- Sour cream For topping
- Salsa For topping
- Guacamole For topping
- Jalapeño peppers For topping
- Fresh cilantro For garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until it is no longer pink on the surface but not fully cooked through.
- Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Continue to cook until the vegetables are softened and the chicken is completely cooked.
- Stir in the minced garlic, taco seasoning, and taco sauce. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until everything is fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
Cooking Quesadillas
- Wipe out the skillet or use a second skillet and set it over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt.
- While the butter is melting, sprinkle a handful of cheese on one half of a tortilla. Top it with a quarter of the chicken mixture and another handful of cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and place it in the pan.
- Cook until the underside is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. Flip it over and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is golden on the other side.
- Repeat this process with the remaining quesadillas.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
