Choose my culinary requirements for those who should, however the Hen Quesadilla is among the nice dinner standbys of our time. Tacky, crispy, and prepared in a flash, what’s to not adore?
A plain cheese quesadilla of the white tortilla + prebagged cheese + microwave-until-melted selection will be made a little bit of a joke when describing somebody’s capacity to “prepare dinner,” however this juicy rooster quesadilla is well-above fundamental.
Sauteed, seasoned rooster thighs (or rooster breasts if that’s your desire), fajita-style greens, and sure CHEESE make this the perfect rooster quesadilla recipe.
Whereas simple, it is going to be appreciated by cooks of all ranges.
I’ve taken to creating the rooster vegetable filling in bulk, portioning and freezing it (I like these containers), then pulling one portion out to thaw in a single day.
Come meal time, all I have to do is pile it onto a tortilla with freshly shredded cheese and pan fry it to golden perfection.
We now have dinner prepared in 10 minutes!
Even for those who haven’t made the filling forward, this tacky rooster quesadilla is quicker than supply or preheating your oven for frozen pizza.
It tastes a lot brisker and is best for you too!
Tips on how to Make a Hen Quesadilla
A rooster quesadilla is perhaps simple, however that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to’t make it the last word.
For the perfect rooster quesadilla that’s crispy exterior and melty inside with simply the fitting filling-to-cheese ratio, observe the following tips:
- Be sparing with the oil. Should you use an excessive amount of oil within the pan when cooking, it’s going to make your quesadilla greasy. I often make my quesadillas in a nonstick pan with both no oil (the tortilla doesn’t often want it) or a little bit of nonstick spray.
- Grate your individual cheese. Ever questioned why your quesadilla cheese isn’t as easy and melty as your favourite eating places? Doubtless you have been utilizing prebagged cheese which, whereas handy, is coated with a powdery substance to maintain it from clumping. Sadly, that powder means the cheese doesn’t soften as easily.
- Be affected person. I do know you wish to crank up the warmth and simply get on with it already, however in case you have the pan too scorching, the outsides of the tortilla will burn earlier than the cheese is melted inside.
- Let a few of the cheese soften out of the tortilla. Or, even add somewhat further cheese on prime of the tortilla a couple of minutes earlier than flipping. That oozy cheese will turn out to be snackably golden and crispy.
Limitless Filling Choices
I’ve instructed my favourite mix of rooster, bell peppers, and pepper Jack cheese right here, however upon getting a melty cheese, you’ll be able to put absolutely anything inside a quesadilla that you simply like!
- Add totally different veggies like zucchini or mushrooms (do that Mushroom Quesadilla too).
- Change up the protein by utilizing beans (like on this Breakfast Quesadilla) or pork like this Pulled Pork Quesadilla.
- Use a distinct form of melty cheese like white cheddar.
- Or, perform a little of every to create the customized quesadilla of your goals!
The Substances
- Hen. Tender, protein-packed rooster breast (or thighs) helps make this quesadilla filling, flavorful, and nutritious. Hen is wealthy in iron and minerals.
Tip!
Minimize this recipe time even additional by swapping in precooked rooster, made with one in every of these simple strategies (and even retailer purchased rotisserie rooster):
- Cheese. The gooey, tacky inside is a big a part of what makes this quesadilla so fantastic. It helps maintain the filling collectively and tastes completely delicious.
- Veggies. To make this rooster quesadilla wholesome, I packed it with scrumptious veggies. Bell peppers and onions add taste, nutritional vitamins, and antioxidants.
- Spices. Chili powder, salt, and garlic powder add simply the correct quantity of taste to the quesadilla.
- Sizzling Sauce. Whereas non-compulsory, you’ll be able to kick it up with a splash of scorching sauce for those who please.
- Complete Wheat Tortilla. Complete wheat tortillas have extra fiber than common tortillas, making them a more healthy various. They crisp up simply as nicely and style delish!
- Toppings. Salsa, guacamole, queso, and bitter cream (plain Greek yogurt works nicely too) are our go-to toppings. You could possibly additionally add pico de gallo, recent cilantro, or shredded lettuce.
The Instructions
- Add the rooster to a bowl, then stir in half of the spices.
- Sauté the greens with spices.
- Assemble the quesadillas by piling the fillings onto one half of a tortilla.
- Fold the empty tortilla half excessive. Repeat.
- Prepare dinner the quesadillas two at a time in a skillet.
- Flip after about 4 minutes, cooking on the opposite aspect for a couple of minutes. Let cool, slice, and DIG IN!
Storage Suggestions
- To Retailer. Refrigerate leftover quesadilla in an hermetic storage container for as much as 3 days.
- To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low warmth or within the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze the quesadilla in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
Put together the rooster and vegetable filling as much as 1 day prematurely. Assemble and prepare dinner the quesadillas as directed whenever you’re prepared to complete the recipe.
What to Serve with a Hen Quesadilla
Really helpful Instruments to Make this Recipe
The Greatest Non-Stick Skillet
Whereas this set is an funding, these non-stick skillets are made to final. They’re high-quality and simple to scrub.
Whether or not you name it in as a pinch-hitter or make it a part of your common meal plan, this hearty rooster quesadilla is a house run!
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Whereas we get pleasure from this quesadilla with rooster, you could possibly strive swapping in cooked and shredded (or diced) pork, beef, or turkey. For a vegetarian choice, strive including black beans.
Should you’d wish to bulk up your quesadilla somewhat extra, you could possibly add further veggies, beans (Prompt Pot Black Beans or Prompt Pot Refried Beans), avocado slices, tomatoes, or every other filling elements you get pleasure from.
I like to recommend utilizing complete wheat tortillas for the additional well being advantages, however you’ll be able to swap common flour tortillas for those who choose. Corn tortillas would additionally work for this recipe, however they’re usually a lot smaller than flour tortillas and tricker to carry collectively throughout cooking.
For individuals who are gluten free and luxuriate in utilizing almond flour tortillas, these are one other good choice for this recipe.
For the Quesadillas:
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 cups cooked diced or shredded rooster about 2 medium breasts or 2 to three thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 1 crimson bell pepper diced
- 1 orange, yellow, or inexperienced bell pepper diced (or 1 cup chopped veggies of selection: child spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and so on.)
- Sizzling sauce non-compulsory
- 1 1/4 cups shredded pepper Jack or Monterey Jack cheese divided
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided (or further pepper/Monterey Jack)
- 4 medium complete wheat tortillas
- Oil, butter, or nonstick spray non-compulsory for cooking the quesadillas
For Serving:
- Ready salsa
- Guacamole
- Bitter cream or plain Greek yogurt
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In a small bowl, stir collectively the chili powder, salt, and garlic powder. Place the rooster in a separate, medium bowl and sprinkle with half of the spice combination. Stir to coat. Put aside.
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In a big skillet over medium warmth, warmth the oil till it’s scorching and shimmering. Add the onion and bell peppers, and every other greens you might be utilizing (wait so as to add spinach, nonetheless). Sprinkle the remaining spice combination excessive and stir to coat. Sauté, stirring sometimes, till the onion is popping translucent and brown and the opposite greens are crisp-tender, 6 to eight minutes. If utilizing spinach, stir it in a couple of handfuls at a time till it wilts. Should you’d just like the filling spicy, add a couple of dashes of scorching sauce to style. Switch the greens to the bowl with the rooster and stir to mix.
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Assemble the quesadillas: For every, prime half of a tortilla with an eighth of the pepper Jack (about 2 1/2 tablespoons) and an eighth of the cheddar (about 1 1/2 tablespoons). Unfold one-quarter every of the greens and rooster evenly on prime of the cheese (it’s going to look like so much, however go along with it). High with one-eighth further pepper Jack (2 1/2 tablespoons) and one-eighth further cheddar (1 1/2 tablespoons).
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Fold the empty tortilla half over the toppings, urgent gently. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
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Prepare dinner the quesadillas: With a paper towel, rigorously wipe out the skillet you used for the greens. Warmth over medium to medium-low warmth, including somewhat butter or oil to the skillet for those who’d just like the tortillas crisper. Place 1 quesadilla within the pan with the folded edge working down the middle and the open edge going through outward. Lay a second quesadilla down beside it going through the other way so it matches within the skillet properly. With the again of a spatula, frivolously press down on the tops so that they flatten (don’t fear if a few of the cheese oozes out; it’s going to turn out to be crispy and DELISH). Prepare dinner on the primary aspect till golden and crisp, adjusting the warmth as wanted so the quesadillas crisp however don’t burn, about 4 or so minutes relying upon your range.
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Rigorously flip and prepare dinner the opposite aspect for about 2 extra minutes, till either side are a yummy, frivolously crisp golden brown.
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Let the quesadillas cool on a slicing board for a couple of minutes (or switch to a 200 levels F oven to maintain heat whereas ending remaining batches). When able to serve, with a pointy knife or pizza cutter, slice into three pie-shaped wedges. Take pleasure in scorching with toppings.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate leftover quesadilla in an hermetic storage container for as much as 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a skillet on the stovetop over medium-low warmth or within the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze the quesadilla in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1(of 4) quesadillasEnergy: 523kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 40gFats: 27gSaturated Fats: 13gPolyunsaturated Fats: 2gMonounsaturated Fats: 8gLdl cholesterol: 112mgPotassium: 394mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 2658IUVitamin C: 77mgCalcium: 517mgIron: 3mg
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