Oven Baked Chicken Quesadillas
User Reviews
5
Oven Baked Chicken Quesadillas
Description
This recipe uses small chicken pieces tossed in a spice mix of cumin, garlic powder, cayenne, paprika, pepper, and salt, which are cooked until browned. The filling includes sautéed diced onion, garlic, red and green bell peppers softened in olive oil, combined with the cooked chicken. Cooling the filling ensures less moisture when baked, allowing the quesadillas to crisp evenly.
Flour tortillas are filled halfway with the chicken and vegetable mixture, topped with grated melting cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack, then folded and placed on a hot, lightly oiled baking tray. Baking at a relatively high temperature crisps the tortillas and melts the cheese over about sixteen minutes, flipping halfway and pressing down helps achieve an even golden crust.
These quesadillas serve well as a snack or main dish paired with salsa or sour cream. Using a cheese with good melting and flavor instead of mozzarella enhances taste. The method avoids frying, offering a crispy texture without excess oil.
Practical tips include spraying the baking tray with oil and preheating it to get a soft sizzle on contact, which aids crisping. Cooking two trays at once is possible but requires swapping positions and potentially extending cooking time for the lower tray.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 400 g / 14 oz chicken , cut into small bite size pieces (thigh, breast or tenderloin)
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder or sub with onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (or adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp paprika powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Filling
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 onion diced (brown, white, yellow, small
- 1 garlic minced, clove
- 1 red bell pepper diced, or capsicum
- 1 green capsicum diced, or bell pepper
Quesadillas
- 4 flour tortillas (20cm/8")
- olive oil spray form
- 1 cups cheese tasty, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack or other melting cheese of choice) (Note 1, grated, or more to taste
Instructions
- Place Chicken ingredients in a bowl and mix to coat chicken.
- Heat oil in skillet over high heat. Add onion and garlic, cook for 1 minute. Then add capsicum and cook for 2 minutes until starting to soften. Transfer into bowl.
- Return skillet to the stove. Add chicken and cook until browned. Add to same bowl. Set aside until the filling cools (to speed it up, cover and refrigerate, and/or spread out on plate).
- Preheat oven to 220C / 430F (standard) or 200C/390F (fan / convection).
- Spray baking tray lightly with olive oil. Heat in the oven while you assemble the quesadillas.
- Divide the filling between the tortillas, covering half the surface. Top with cheese. Fold in half and press down gently but firmly.
- Remove baking tray from oven. Transfer quesadillas onto tray (you should hear a soft sizzle).
- Bake for 8 minutes. Then turn the quesadillas (over the folded edge) then press down with the egg flip. Bake for a further 8 minutes or until the surface is crispy.
- Remove from oven and serve immediately!
Notes
- Avoid mozzarella for less flavor; use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack instead for better taste and melting.
- Cool the filling fully before assembling to reduce steam and keep quesadillas crispy during baking.
- Preheat and lightly oil the baking tray to help tortillas crisp upon contact with the hot surface.
- Use a relatively hot oven around 220°C (430°F) for best crispness without over-browning.
- If baking two trays at once, swap positions halfway through and allow extra time for the tray on the bottom.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 448 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 233g | |
| Calories | 448cal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 22.8g | 8% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 24.3g | 37% |
| Saturated Fat | 8.9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15.2g | 89% |
| Cholesterol | 105mg | 35% |
| Sodium | 561mg | 23% |
| Fiber | 3.4g | 14% |
| Sugar | 4.1g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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