Delicious and Easy Quesadilla Recipe
Fast, delicious, and simple! What could be better?
A friend of mine was making quesadillas at work the other day and since then I haven't been able to get them out of my head!! So I decided to make them for a quick dinner. The fun thing about quesadillas is that you can mix and match your cheese, meat, and even your tortillas. You can go for a traditional cheese quesadilla or go crazy with tons of meat, cheese and maybe even BACON!!! Yes, I said bacon!!! Why not!! Live a little, have some fun!!
This recipe can be a great snack or dinner, Make it as a finger food to watch the game, celebrate Cinco de Mayo, or just because you don't feel like cooking a big dinner! The recipe below is just a basic recipe and really more about the technique than anything. Once you know how to make a quesadilla you can really put any kind of filling you like. Get creative, the sky is really the limit here!
This is a traditional Mexican food and it's name is derived from the word "queso" meaning cheese. It is traditionally made with flour or corn tortillas. So, technically in order for it to be a quesadilla it must at least have those two ingredients. Below you will find my very simple chicken quesadilla recipe.
So after a long day at work and not wanting to cook a big dinner my husband and I decided we wanted to have quesadillas for dinner! I decided to use some left over chicken that I had but I didn't think it would be enough. So I took a chicken cutlet, sprinkled it with some Adobo seasoning and put it in the microwave to cook (this worked great since I had less mess and didn't have to babysit it on the stove). I used my ceramic bacon cooker or what is really known as a ridged ceramic baker! If you've never used one it makes the best bacon in the microwave in minutes and no mess to clean up on the stove, I love that!! It also cooks chicken in the microwave fast and it keeps it juicy which is what I like! If you don't have left over chicken or cutlets hanging around pick up some of those chicken short cuts. They would work here too.
Cook Time
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: approximately 10
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- flour or corn tortillas (1 tortilla makes 1 quesadilla so for 4 servings you need 4 tortillas)
- left over chicken (approximately 2 cups; or 1 chicken cutlet with Adobo seasoning as prepared below)
- Four Cheese blend shredded cheese (1 1/2-2 cups)
- Olive Oil to coat the pan
- salsa and sour cream for dipping
Instructions
- If you have left over chicken start by quickly reheating just to get the chill off in the microwave for 30 seconds or so. It will get nice and warm as it grills up. If using a chicken cutlet, grill or prepare as follows: Using a ridged ceramic baker place chicken on ceramic baker. Sprinkle generously with Adobo seasoning on both sides. Place in microwave and cook approximately 5 minutes (all microwave ovens vary so your microwave may take more or less time). Make sure chicken is cooked thoroughly before slicing. Once chicken is cooked, slice into bit size pieces and set aside.
- Add approximately 1-2 teaspoons of oil to a pan or griddle, enough to coat the entire bottom of the pan. Allow pan to heat up while preparing your tortilla.
- Place a tortilla on your work surface open faced.
- On one half of the quesadilla add approximately 1/4 cup of shredded cheese.
- Add chicken on top, as much as you wish.
- Fold the tortilla in half.
- Place the tortilla in the preheated oil. Use a grill press to weigh down the quesadilla
- Cook until golden brown on one side. Then flip and weigh down again using the grill press. Cook until this side is golden brown.
- Remove when golden brown or until your liking and place on a cutting board.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut the quesadilla. Cut in half, and then cut each half in half again. You will end up with 4 pieces total.
- Serve with salsa and sour cream for dipping.
Preparing the Quesadilla
Get that crunch!
Tools of the Trade
To get the best tasting quesadillas you have to have the right tools. The one thing for sure I wouldn't pass up on is the grill press. It really makes a difference in my opinion and gives the quesadilla a super crunch and great texture.
Give it a twist...
So you want to be extravagant?? Shake it up a little?? I say go for it! Here are some alternative suggestions for your quesadillas:
Fillings:
Steak
Chilli
Beans
Grilled Vegetables
Swiss cheese
goat cheese
grilled onions
red onions
whole wheat tortillas
spinach tortilla
sun-dried tomato tortilla
They even make gluten free tortillas for my friends who suffer from celiac disease!
The possibilities are truly endless. Use your creativity and go wild!
Fun Twists on Your Quesadillas
Looking for more great recipes?
Check out some of my other recipes on squidoo.
- Best Pressure Cooker Recipe ~ Super Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese
Need a quick side dish? Try this awesome macaroni and cheese in the pressure cooker. You will not be disappointed! - Best Apple Crumb Pie Recipe
Perfect for Thanksgiving or an end to any meal. This apple crumb pie will have you coming back for more...guaranteed! - Baked French Toast
A delicious make ahead baked french toast perfect for Easter, New Years day or a special morning. This is one of my favorite go to make ahead brunch ideas!
