Oven Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Delicious and easy to make, these cheesy, crispy oven baked chicken quesadillas are packed with flavorful chicken and colorful veggies, making them perfect for lunch, dinner, or a snack.
Ingredients
For the filling
- 400 g 400 g chicken (cut into small bite-size pieces) Thigh, breast, or tenderloin can be used.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp 1 tsp garlic powder Or substitute with onion powder.
- ½ tsp 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper Adjust to taste.
- 1 tsp 1 tsp paprika powder
- ½ tsp 1/2 tsp salt Plus black pepper to taste.
- 1 tbsp 1 tbsp olive oil For cooking.
- ½ small 1/2 small onion (diced) Brown, white, or yellow.
- 1 clove 1 garlic clove (minced)
- 1 red capsicum 1 red capsicum / bell pepper (diced)
- 1 green capsicum 1 green capsicum / bell pepper (diced)
- 4 pieces 4 flour tortillas (20cm/8”)
- 1 spray Olive oil spray
- 1 cup 1 cup grated cheese Add more to taste; options include tasty, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or other melting cheese.
Instructions
Preparation
- Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and mix in cumin, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt, and pepper to coat the chicken evenly.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the diced red and green capsicum, and cook for 2 more minutes until they start to soften. Transfer this mixture into the bowl with the chicken.
- Return the skillet to the stove and add the marinated chicken. Cook until browned. Add this to the same bowl and let it cool. For faster cooling, cover and refrigerate or spread it out on a plate.
- Preheat your oven to 220C / 430F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan/convection).
Assembly and Baking
- Lightly spray a baking tray with olive oil. Heat this tray in the oven while you assemble your quesadillas.
- Divide the chicken and vegetable filling between the tortillas, covering half of each. Top with whichever grated cheese you prefer.
- Fold the tortillas in half and press down gently.
- Carefully remove the baking tray from the oven. Place the folded quesadillas on the tray (you should hear a soft sizzle).
- Bake for 8 minutes. Then turn the quesadillas over (flipping on the folded edge) and press down with a spatula. Bake for another 8 minutes or until the surface is crispy.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately!
Notes
Serve hot with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa on the side. A fresh salad or some chopped cilantro can also add a nice touch. Let the filling cool before assembling to help the tortillas stay crispy. Experiment with different vegetables or cheeses based on preference. Don’t overcrowd the baking tray to ensure even cooking.