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The appetizer, From around the world

Chicken quesadillas

Chicken quesadillas are tortillas filled with spiced chicken, peppers, and melted cheese, served as an appetizer for 6 people. They take 30 minutes of active work, the filling is made ahead in the morning, and you only need to pan-fry the tortillas once guests arrive. Easy and budget friendly at €1.90 per person, the trick is cheese both under and over the filling to hold everything together.

Golden, gooey tortillas packed with chicken and peppers, cut into small wedges, the kind of thing that brings Mexican night energy to any party.

Chicken quesadillas
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
40 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.90
Calories per person
330 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Chicken seasoned with paprika and cumin, soft sweet peppers, and cheese that stretches between two golden tortillas, that is what makes these quesadillas such a reliable party starter. The crisp outside meets a soft, melty inside, and every wedge disappears in one bite, drink in hand.

This is the kind of dish to bring out for a casual dinner with friends, a relaxed get-together, or a family meal where kids dig in too. Pair it with a couple of dips and a fresh salad for a laid back, Mexican-inspired spread that does not demand hours in the kitchen.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps, 27 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 10 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step, 12 min

In the morning, cook the chicken, then the vegetables, mix them together, and let the filling cool before refrigerating. Just before guests arrive, fill the tortillas with cheese and filling, fold them, and let them wait flat. At serving time, pan-fry the quesadillas two to three minutes per side and cut them into wedges.

The ingredients

6 people

Pantry

  • Large flour tortillas 6
  • Paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Butcher

  • Chicken breasts 400 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Red bell pepper 1
  • Green bell pepper 1
  • Onion 1

Dairy

  • Cheddar or Swiss cheese, shredded 250 g

Allergens Gluten, Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Slice the chicken into thin strips and sauté it in oil with the paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. 10 min

    Cut against the grain, the chicken stays tender even when reheated.

  2. Cook the sliced peppers and onion separately until soft, then mix them into the chicken. 12 min

    Cook the vegetables covered at first, they soften without burning.

  3. Let the filling cool completely before storing it in the fridge. 5 min

    A warm filling softens the tortilla, better to wait until it is fully cooled.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Fill half of each tortilla with cheese, filling, and more cheese, then fold it over. 10 min

    Put cheese both underneath and on top, it binds the filling like glue.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Pan-fry each quesadilla dry in a hot skillet two to three minutes per side, then cut into wedges. 12 min

    Press down with a spatula while cooking, the crust browns more evenly and stays crisp.

Our tips to get it right

  • Grate the cheese yourself instead of buying pre-shredded, it melts better and binds the filling more tightly.
  • Keep the filled tortillas flat in the fridge, separated by parchment paper, so they do not come apart before cooking.
  • Use a wide, hot but not scorching pan, the tortilla browns evenly while the cheese melts all the way through.

The variations

  • Swap the chicken for black beans and corn for a vegetarian version that is just as satisfying.
  • For a quicker take, use leftover roast chicken and skip straight to assembling the quesadillas.
  • For kids, leave out the paprika and cumin and stick to a pinch of salt, the melted cheese already does the heavy lifting.

What to serve it with

  • Guacamole and fresh salsa
  • Corn and avocado salad
  • A cold beer or lime soda

Storage

The cooked filling keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Filled but uncooked quesadillas freeze well and can go straight from freezer to a low heat pan. Reheat already cooked quesadillas for a few minutes in a pan to keep them crisp.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Yes, but they are more fragile and tend to crack when folded. Warm them for a few seconds before filling so they stay pliable.

How do you keep the filling from spilling out while cooking?

Fill only half of the tortilla without overloading it, and press the edge with a spatula at the start of cooking. The melted cheese acts like glue and naturally seals the edges.

Can cheddar be replaced with another cheese?

Mozzarella or a cheddar and mozzarella blend both work well, the key is choosing a cheese that melts easily. Avoid drier cheeses that will not stretch when cooked.

How many quesadillas should you plan per person as an appetizer?

Count on one whole tortilla per person, about 4 wedges, if serving alongside other bites. Double the amount if the quesadillas are the main part of the meal.

Can chicken quesadillas be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make chicken quesadillas?

Allow 40 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in chicken quesadillas?

About 330 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does chicken quesadillas cost?

About €1.90 per person, that's €11.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

To round out your menu

Build a menu
Tres leches cake The dessert

From around the world

Tres leches cake

  • 35 min of work
  • Prepared the day before
  • Easy, €1.50 per person

480 kcalcalculated by Kiloach

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