Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

Combine base

Place the shredded or diced cooked chicken in a medium mixing bowl.

Add diced red bell pepper, chopped yellow onion, chopped cilantro, and minced jalapeño to the bowl with the chicken.

Sprinkle ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper over the mixture. Pour in the lime juice and toss everything until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasoning (add more salt, lime, or jalapeño if desired).

Stir in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, mixing just enough to distribute the cheese throughout the chicken mixture. The cheese will melt during cooking, so don’t overwork the filling.

Heat a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of butter or oil and swirl to coat. Keep the remaining butter or oil nearby.

Lay one flour tortilla flat on a work surface. Spoon about 3/4 cup of the filling evenly over half of the tortilla, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge to prevent overflow.

Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling and press gently to flatten into an even layer.

Transfer the folded quesadilla to the heated skillet. Cook for 2–3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt. Add an additional 1/2 teaspoon butter or oil to the pan if the tortilla is browning too slowly.

Carefully flip the quesadilla using a spatula and cook the second side for 1.5–3 minutes until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and the filling is hot. Reduce heat slightly if the tortilla is browning too quickly before the cheese melts.

Transfer the cooked quesadilla to a cutting board and let rest for 1 minute to allow the cheese to set slightly, then slice into 3 or 4 wedges. Repeat the assembly and cooking process with the remaining tortillas and filling, adding butter or oil to the pan as needed.

Arrange quesadilla wedges on a plate and serve immediately with optional sour cream, salsa, and guacamole on the side.

If desired, garnish with extra chopped cilantro and a squeeze of lime over the top before serving.