Chicken Quesadilla Mexican Style (Printable)

Golden tortillas stuffed with seasoned chicken, veggies, and melted cheese for a quick, satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ For the Filling

01 - 2 cups cooked grilled chicken breast, sliced or shredded
02 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 small onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
08 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - ¼ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ To Assemble

11 - 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
12 - 1 tablespoon butter or additional olive oil for cooking

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced bell pepper and onion; sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside.
02 - Wipe the skillet clean for the next step.
03 - Place a tortilla on a flat surface. On one half of the tortilla, layer ½ cup grilled chicken, ¼ of the sautéed peppers and onions, ¼ cup cheddar, and ¼ cup Monterey Jack cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the filling. Repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings.
04 - Melt a little butter or drizzle olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
05 - Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 1 minute, then slice into wedges. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack creates that perfect cheese pull that makes quesadillas so satisfying
  • Seasoning the vegetables first adds layers of flavor most people skip entirely
  • These come together in under 30 minutes but taste like they took all afternoon
02 -
  • Low and slow heat produces the crispiest tortilla without burning the cheese inside
  • The vegetables must be cooled slightly before assembling or they will make the tortilla soggy
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one for the crispiest exterior
  • Let the pan get properly hot before adding your first quesadilla
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