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chicken quesadillas

Chicken Quesadillas: The 10 Ultimate Steps for Cheesy Perfection

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Crispy golden tortillas stuffed with seasoned chicken and gooey melted cheese, these chicken quesadillas are quick, customizable, and perfect for weeknight dinners or crowd-pleasing appetizers.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 quesadillas 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 large flour tortillas

1/2 cup bell peppers, thinly sliced

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt and black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon butter or oil for cooking

Optional: 1/4 cup corn or black beans

Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, guacamole, chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine the cooked chicken with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in bell peppers, onions, and optional corn or beans.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.

3. Lightly butter one side of a tortilla and place it butter-side down in the skillet.

4. Sprinkle a thin, even layer of Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese over the tortilla.

5. Spoon the seasoned chicken mixture evenly over one half of the tortilla.

6. Top the chicken with an additional sprinkle of cheese to help seal the quesadilla.

7. Carefully fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling and press gently with a spatula.

8. Cook for 2–4 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.

9. Flip carefully and cook another 2–4 minutes until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted.

10. Transfer to a cutting board, rest for 1 minute, slice into wedges, and serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.

Shred your own cheese for smoother melting and better texture.

Keep heat at medium to prevent burning before the cheese melts.

For extra crispiness, lightly spread mayonnaise on the outside of the tortilla instead of butter.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in a skillet for best results.

  • Author: Jessica Lupone!
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 24g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg