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A stack of Chicken Quesadillas on a white plate with a dollop of sour cream on top.
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Chicken Quesadillas

These Chicken Quesadillas are filled with seasoned chicken, onions, peppers, and hot melted cheese. They're loaded with restaurant quality flavor. Don't forget the salsa and sour cream!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 427kcal
Author: Stephanie

Ingredients

Quesadillas

  • 1 boneless skinless chicken breast just under ¾ lb.
  • 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil can cub olive oil
  • 1 splash chicken broth or dry white wine
  • 1 small yellow onion diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced. I use red and green.
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon cilantro roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 4 (8-inch) flour tortillas burrito size
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 2 ¾ cups Mexican blend cheese see notes

Seasonings

  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon EACH: onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, dried oregano, chili powder
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine the seasonings and set aside.
  • Slice the chicken in half to create 2 thinner slices. Cover with plastic wrap and use the textured side of a meat tenderizer to pound it ½ inch thick. Pat completely dry and rub each side with 2 teaspoons of the combined seasoning. Reserve the remaining seasoning for the vegetables.
  • Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 4-5 minutes per side, until a golden crust has developed. Set aside and let rest for 5 minutes, then finely dice.
  • Add a splash of chicken broth or white wine over medium heat and use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom and sides of the skillet, this will add more flavor to the filling.
  • Increase heat to medium-high heat and add the diced onions and peppers. Soften for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic, cilantro, lime juice, hot sauce, honey, and remaining seasoning and stir to combine and heat through for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  • Turn the heat off and wipe the skillet clean. Brush a little melted butter over one side of each tortilla. (This will make the outside crispy and golden.)
  • Add a tortilla to the skillet, butter-side-down, over medium-low heat. Sprinkle a heaping ½ cup cheese evenly over the surface.
  • Sprinkle one-quarter of the chicken and vegetable filling on one half of the tortilla. Allow the cheese to melt and the bottom of the tortilla to turn golden brown. Once browned, fold it in half to make a half moon shape and press down gently with a spatula. Remove and set aside, repeat for all. Make slight adjustments to the heat (up/down) if/as needed throughout cooking.
  • Cut into each piece in half and serve with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream!

Notes

Pro Tips:
  • Add-on options include: Black beans, mushrooms, jalapenos, bacon, avocado, and corn. 
  • Cheese Options Include: Any blend of Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Cheddar Jack, and Colby Jack. I like to shred it from a block for this but you can use packaged shredded cheese as well. 
  • Veggies: I like to dice the veggies for easy eating! Strings of veggies tend to slide out of the quesadilla as you're eating! 
  • Be sure to serve this with Salsa and Guacamole, and try my Chicken Enchiladas, Beef Enchiladas, and Beef Fajitas next! 
Storage:
  • Store in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Leftovers do freeze well!
  • To Freeze: Cool completely, place on a plate or baking sheet, and flash freeze for 1 hour. Remove and transfer to an airtight freezer bag. (This way you can stack them without them sticking to each other.)
  • To reheat:
    • Stove: Reheat in a skillet over low heat until hot and melted, flipping halfway through.
    • Oven: Bake on a baking sheet at 300° for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the surface is hot. If frozen, bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes. 
Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. There are 4 servings in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 427kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1340mg | Potassium: 348mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1724IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 945mg | Iron: 2mg