A chicken quesadilla is a Tex-Mex dish that typically consists of a flour tortilla filled with a mixture of shredded chicken, melted cheese, and other ingredients such as diced tomatoes, onions, and spices. The tortilla is then grilled or baked until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. Chicken quesadillas are a quick and easy meal that can be made with minimal ingredients and can be served as a main dish or as a appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small strips
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 8 (6-inch) flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Method
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic, and saute until onion is tender. Add chicken, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper, and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies and cilantro.
3. Place tortillas on a baking sheet. Spoon chicken mixture evenly over tortillas. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes.
Potential changes & improvements
There are many potential changes and improvements that can be made to this recipe. For example, you could use different types of cheese such as cheddar or pepper Jack. You could also add other ingredients to the chicken mixture such as beans, corn, or bell peppers. If you want a bit of a crunch, you could try adding some chopped up bacon or crumbled up sausage. Finally, if you want a bit more of a kick, you could add some hot sauce or jalapeno peppers.
What other food it works well with
Chicken quesadillas go well with a variety of sides such as rice, beans, salad, or potato wedges. They can also be served with dipping sauces such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Common Mistakes
One common mistake when making chicken quesadillas is using too much chicken mixture, which can make the quesadillas difficult to eat. Another mistake is not chopping the chicken into small enough pieces, which can make the quesadillas difficult to eat. Finally, some people make the mistake of not preheating the oven, which can result in the tortillas not being crispy.
Nutritional Information
Chicken quesadillas are a high in protein and fat. One quesadilla contains about 500 calories.
Allergens
Chicken quesadillas may contain allergens such as wheat, soy, milk, eggs, and chicken.