Chicken Quesadillas Golden Crispy Tortillas (Printable version)

Golden tortillas stuffed with spiced chicken, bell peppers, and melted cheese. Ready in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
03 - 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
06 - 2 tablespoons jalapeño, finely chopped (optional)

→ Dairy

07 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or Mexican blend)

→ Staples

08 - 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
12 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ To Serve (Optional)

15 - Salsa
16 - Sour cream
17 - Guacamole
18 - Lime wedges

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine the cooked chicken, bell peppers, onion, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices.
02 - Place a large skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of olive oil or butter to coat the surface.
03 - Lay one tortilla flat in the skillet. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese evenly over half the tortilla, then spoon 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture over the cheese. Add cilantro and jalapeño if desired.
04 - Fold the tortilla over to enclose the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
05 - Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute before cutting into wedges.
06 - Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and filling mixture.
07 - Serve hot with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under thirty minutes including prep work
  • The filling possibilities are endless so you never get bored
02 -
  • Low and slow heat prevents burning while ensuring the cheese melts completely
  • Letting them rest before cutting keeps the cheese from oozing out everywhere
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one for the crispiest tortillas
  • Do not overfill or you will never get the tortilla to close properly