Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
15 mins
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Servings
4 Quesadillas
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Calories
549 kcal
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Course
Side Dish, Main Course, Appetizer, Lunch
Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla
Description
The recipe begins by marinating boneless skinless chicken breasts with lime juice, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, paprika, dried parsley, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. After an hour of marinating, the chicken is cooked in a skillet until fully done, then shredded into pieces. Flour tortillas are then buttered and lightly toasted in a pan where shredded cheddar cheese is layered over the whole tortilla.
Half of the tortilla is topped with the shredded chicken and salsa, then folded over to form the quesadilla. Cooking until the cheese melts and the exterior is golden and crisp creates a mix of textures: a crunchy exterior with a cheesy, juicy inside from the chicken and melted cheese. Additional salsa, guacamole, and sour cream are served alongside for dipping and contrast.
This quesadilla makes for a filling, flavorful meal or snack combining seasoned chicken with melted cheese and complementary condiments. The use of fresh lime juice in the marinade adds a slight acidity to balance the richness.
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade:
- 4 chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon parsley dried
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Quesadilla:
- 4 10- inch flour tortillas
- 2 cups chicken shredded, cooked
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons salsa
- guacamole for serving
- sour cream for serving
- salsa for serving, additional
Instructions
Chicken Marinade:
- In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, salt, paprika, pepper, cayenne pepper, parsley, lime juice, and olive oil.
- Pour the marinade over chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag.
- Marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove chicken from the pan and chop into small pieces.
Quesadilla:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
- Place a tortilla in the pan on top of the melted butter and sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese evenly over the entire tortilla.
- Add 1/2 cup of cooked and shredded chicken on top of one half of the cheese and spread 1 tablespoon of salsa on the other half.
- Allow the cheese to melt for about 3-4 minutes, then fold the tortilla in half.
- Cook for another minute, then flip the quesadilla to ensure the other side browns to your liking and the cheese melts thoroughly.
- Repeat steps 2a-2e with the remaining tortillas and ingredients, adding more butter as needed.
- Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and cut into wedges.
- Serve with guacamole, sour cream, and additional salsa on the side.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Quesadillas
Amount Per Serving
Calories 549 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 549kcal | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 26g | 52% |
| Fat | 42g | 65% |
| Saturated Fat | 21g | 105% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 129mg | 43% |
| Sodium | 825mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 232mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 1072IU | 21% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 457mg | 46% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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