Smoky Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
Elevate your quesadilla game with these Smoky Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas! Crafted from perfectly seared, spicy chicken and a delightful blend of smoked cheddar and Mexican cheeses, this simple yet flavorful dish will become a family favorite. The sweet, caramelized onions add a touch of sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the smoky flavors. With just three filling ingredients and a handful of spices, these quesadillas are quick to prepare and deliciously satisfying. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauces like sour cream, salsa, or guacamole, and enjoy the enhanced tastes of a classic Mexican dish!
N/A
Servings
600
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Burrito size flour tortillas
4 (large, whole)
Smoked cheddar cheese
3/4 lb (shredded)
Mexican blend cheese
1 lb (shredded)
Boneless skinless chicken breast
1 lb (sliced thin)
Onion
1 (peeled and sliced thin)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Mexican oregano
1 tsp (for seasoning)
Cumin
1 tsp (for seasoning)
Garlic powder
1 tsp (for seasoning)
Olive oil
4 tbsp (for cooking)
Butter
as needed (for grilling the tortillas)
Instructions
1
Slice the chicken breast into thin pieces and season with salt, pepper, Mexican oregano, cumin, and garlic powder. Toss to coat and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
2
While the chicken marinates, peel and thinly slice the onion. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Caramelize the onions for about 10-15 minutes until they turn golden brown, stirring occasionally.
3
In a separate skillet (preferably cast iron), heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the marinated chicken pieces and sear on both sides until cooked through and slightly blackened, approximately 5 minutes.
4
To assemble the quesadillas, butter one side of each flour tortilla. Place the tortilla, butter side down, on the skillet or griddle set to medium-high heat.
5
Sprinkle 1/3 to 2/3 cup of Mexican blend cheese over half of the tortilla, followed by 1/4 cup of smoked cheddar cheese. Be careful not to overdo the smoked cheddar, as its flavor is quite strong.
6
Add a handful of the cooked chicken pieces on top of the cheese, followed by a generous portion of the caramelized onions.
7
Fold the tortilla over to form a half-moon shape and press down gently. Cook until the underside is lightly browned and crispy, then carefully flip the quesadilla to brown the other side.
8
Once both sides are crispy and golden brown, remove from the skillet and let cool slightly before slicing into wedges.
9
Serve warm with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for dipping.
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
50g
Carbs
35g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Smoky Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas?
They are flavorful quesadillas made from seared spicy chicken, a blend of smoked cheddar and Mexican cheeses, and sweet caramelized onions.
How long should the chicken marinate?
The chicken should be seasoned and refrigerated for about 30 minutes before cooking.
What seasonings are used for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with salt, black pepper, Mexican oregano, cumin, and garlic powder.
How do you caramelize the onions for this recipe?
Thinly slice the onion and cook in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
A combination of Mexican blend cheese and shredded smoked cheddar cheese is used.
Is there a caution regarding the smoked cheddar cheese?
Yes, its flavor is quite strong, so be careful not to overdo it when filling the tortillas.
What type of tortillas are used?
The recipe calls for 4 large, whole burrito-sized flour tortillas.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are approximately 600 calories per serving.
What is the protein content?
Each serving contains 35g of protein.
How much fat is in these quesadillas?
There are 30g of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate count?
The dish contains 50g of carbohydrates per serving.
How do you prepare the chicken before cooking?
The boneless skinless chicken breast should be sliced into thin pieces.
What is the best way to cook the chicken?
Sear the chicken in a hot skillet, preferably cast iron, for approximately 5 minutes until blackened and cooked through.
How do you ensure the tortillas are crispy?
Butter one side of each tortilla and place it butter-side down on a medium-high heat skillet or griddle.
How do you assemble the quesadilla?
Layer Mexican blend cheese, smoked cheddar, cooked chicken, and caramelized onions on half of the tortilla, then fold it over.
What dipping sauces are suggested?
They are best served with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
How much Mexican blend cheese is needed?
The recipe requires 1 lb of shredded Mexican blend cheese.
How much smoked cheddar cheese is required?
You will need 3/4 lb of shredded smoked cheddar cheese.
What is the measurement for the spices?
The recipe uses 1 tsp each of Mexican oregano, cumin, and garlic powder.
How much olive oil is used in total?
A total of 4 tablespoons of olive oil is used: 2 for the onions and 2 for the chicken.
What shape should the finished quesadilla be?
The tortilla is folded over the filling to form a half-moon shape.
How long do you cook the assembled quesadilla?
Cook until the underside is lightly browned and crispy, then flip to brown the other side.
When should you slice the quesadilla?
Remove from the skillet and let it cool slightly before slicing into wedges.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is described as a quick-to-prepare and satisfying dinner option.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 total ingredients including the seasonings and oil.
Can I use regular oregano?
The recipe specifies Mexican oregano for its unique flavor profile, but regular oregano can be a substitute.
Is butter necessary for the tortillas?
Butter is used to grill the tortillas to achieve a golden-brown, crispy texture.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 1 onion, peeled and sliced thin.
What are the main flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish features smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors due to the cheese, chicken seasoning, and caramelized onions.
What is the total weight of the chicken?
The recipe uses 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken breast.