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Chicken quesadilla recipe showing golden crispy tortillas with melted cheese oozing out, topped with sour cream and fresh cilantro

Family Favorite Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

4 from 1 vote
Aliana Recipes
There's something absolutely magical about the sizzle of a perfectly golden chicken quesadilla hitting a hot pan on a busy evening. This recipe transforms tender, seasoned chicken and melted cheese into the most satisfying meal that feels both comforting and exciting - restaurant-quality results using simple ingredients you already have in your fridge.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings:4 people
Course:Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine:American, Mexican, Tex-Mex
Calories:485kcal
Cost:$8.50
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch) Work best for folding and filling
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded Can use rotisserie chicken for convenience
  • 1½ cups Mexican cheese blend shredded For authentic flavor
  • ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded Ensures smooth melting
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced Any color works well
  • ½ medium red onion, finely diced Small uniform pieces cook better
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter For cooking the quesadillas
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder For seasoning the chicken
  • ½ teaspoon cumin Adds authentic Mexican flavor
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder For depth of flavor
  • to taste salt and pepper For seasoning

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet or griddle For cooking quesadillas to golden perfection
  • 1 Mixing bowl To season chicken and prep ingredients
  • 1 Sharp knife or pizza cutter For clean, neat slicing into wedges
  • 1 Cutting board For dicing vegetables and cutting quesadillas

Method
 

  1. Perfect Seasoning Blend Mix shredded chicken with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. This step adds incredible flavor depth to every bite and transforms basic chicken into restaurant-quality filling.
  2. Uniform Cuts for Even Cooking Dice bell pepper and red onion into small, uniform pieces about ¼-inch in size. Smaller pieces cook faster and distribute more evenly throughout the quesadilla, ensuring every bite has perfect balance.
  3. Layer for Maximum Flavor Lay tortilla flat and add half of the Mexican cheese blend to one half of the surface. Top with seasoned chicken, diced vegetables, Monterey Jack cheese, then remaining Mexican cheese. Fold tortilla over to create half-moon shape.
  4. The Secret to Crispy Outside, Melty Inside Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Cook quesadilla 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is completely melted. Don't rush - medium heat ensures perfect browning without burning.
  5. Patience Creates Perfect Slices Let quesadillas rest for 2-3 minutes before cutting. This allows the cheese to set slightly, preventing all the filling from spilling out when you slice. This step is crucial for clean presentation.
  6. Restaurant-Style Presentation Cut into triangular wedges using a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Serve immediately while the cheese is still perfectly gooey and hot. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa.

Nutrition

Serving: 285gCalories: 485kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 32gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 920mgPotassium: 380mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 520IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 380mgIron: 2.2mg

Notes

The secret to perfect chicken quesadillas is using medium heat and not overfilling them. The combination of Mexican cheese blend and Monterey Jack creates that perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes this taste like restaurant takeout at home.