Description
Spicy chicken quesadillas bring Mexican street food magic right to home kitchens. Crispy tortillas packed with zesty chicken, melted cheese, and fresh salsa promise a quick, satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 (about 1 pound) chicken breast, boneless and skinless
Cheese and Tortillas:
- 4 (8-10 inches) flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced thinly
- 1 medium onion, sliced thinly
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, juiced
Optional Add-Ins:
- sliced jalapeños
- black beans
- corn
- avocado
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a skillet at medium temperature, gently sautéing diced onions and bell peppers until they become translucent and tender.
- Introduce shredded chicken to the skillet, generously coating with cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly mix and allow to simmer for approximately 3-4 minutes until flavors meld.
- Prepare a separate griddle or large skillet at medium heat, positioning the first tortilla as a base layer.
- Sprinkle a generous portion of cheese across the tortilla, creating an even foundation for the chicken mixture.
- Distribute the seasoned chicken evenly over the cheese, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Crown the chicken with an additional layer of cheese to enhance melting potential.
- Carefully position a second tortilla atop the cheese layer, creating a complete quesadilla structure.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, monitoring the tortilla’s color transformation to a rich golden brown and ensuring complete cheese melting.
- Transfer the quesadilla from heat, slice into triangular wedges for elegant presentation.
- Accompany with preferred garnishes such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Adjust the heat level by increasing or decreasing chili powder, or swap with different spices like smoked paprika for a unique flavor profile.
- Easily substitute chicken with shredded beef, pulled pork, or plant-based alternatives like black beans or tofu for vegetarian options.
- Try different cheese blends like pepper jack, queso fresco, or a mix of cheddar and monterey jack to create your signature quesadilla taste.
- Use a non-stick skillet or griddle and press down gently with a spatula while cooking to ensure even browning and crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg