Recipe for quesadillas with chicken and cheddar cheese

Quesadillas with chicken are a really good and family-friendly recipe. If you love Mexican food, you will love the delicious quesadillas with spicy chicken meat and melted cheddar cheese. The recipe for these easy quesadillas should probably be in the "tex-mex" category. A fusion cuisine between Texas and Mexico. Here you will find Mexican-inspired dishes that have become everyday food in the United States. Preferably with lots of melted cheese and a little milder spice than authentic Mexican food. 

TIP: Also try this recipe: carnitas tacos with braised pork cheeks or Mexican lasagna

 Quesadillas with chicken are without a doubt on my hit list of best Tex-Mex recipes. On the list you will also find this burrito bowl and this taco soup, Both are recipes that can be varied endlessly, just like quesadillas. 

What are quesadillas?

Quesadillas are filled tortilla pancakes, often made from cornmeal or wheat. The pancakes are placed together with the filling in the middle. Either two tortillas that are folded together, or a single one that is folded in half before being fried on both sides. This way the pancakes become crispy and the filling is cooked. After frying, the quesadillas are cut into triangles that can be enjoyed a bit like a slice of pizza - preferably dipped in guacamole, sour cream or salsa.   

Quesadilla filling

Chicken quesadillas are just one of the many variations of quesadillas you can concoct. Leftover meat and baked vegetables can make the most delicious filling when accompanied by salsa and grated cheese. 

TIP: Also try these vegetarian tortillas with baked vegetables or use leftover tortillas to make easy pizzas.

Ideas for quesadilla fillings

You can make tortillas with meat (chicken, beef, pork, fish, seafood), but you can also easily make vegetarian or vegan versions. Try experimenting with different meats and/or vegetables, fried in Mexican spice mix, before filling it into the tortilla pancakes.

Some versions of quesadillas with fillings are:

• Chicken: Like here, first fried in Mexican spices, or "pulled" as they do in this Mexican pie. Chicken is incredibly easy to vary, so it never gets boring.
• Beef: You can either use minced beef, which many Danes know from "Mexican pancakes" or prepare a whole cut and make it "pulled" as in this recipe.
• Fish: Fish can also be incredibly delicious in quesadillas. Try seasoning a light fish such as cod or hake in Mexican spices and roasting the fish in the oven until just cooked through. The fish can then be easily cut into large pieces and stuffed into tortillas. You can also use salmon, as is done in this recipe for mexi bowl with salmon.
• Egg: You can also try a "breakfast taco" in quesadilla form, filled with cheese, salsa and scrambled eggs. Only fry your scrambled eggs until they are barely cooked through before filling them into the tortilla pancakes. This way you avoid the eggs becoming too dry.
• East: You can make a very simple version with just salsa and cheese. Also try using different types of cheese. For example, blanched spinach and goat cheese taste wonderful together!
• Lentils and legumes: Instead of meat, you can make the recipe completely vegan by using lentils or legumes. Here you can choose to omit the cheese or you can use a vegan plant-based cheese.

How do you fry quesadillas with chicken?

You can either pan fry your quesadillas or bake them in the oven. Both taste great, so it depends on what you find easiest and also how many you are making. For example, if you are making quesadillas for a lot of people, it is a good idea to cook them in the oven. That way they will all be ready at the same time.

How do you cook quesadillas in the oven?

If you want to bake your quesadillas in the oven, simply place the tortillas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Fill the pancakes before folding another tortilla on top. Brush with a little olive oil, if desired, and then place the baking sheet in the oven until the tortilla pancake is crispy.

How do you flip quesadillas on the pan?

If you are making your quesadillas on a pan, it is a good idea to choose a pan that is roughly the same size as the tortillas. This will give a crispier surface and you will not need to preheat the oven. To easily flip a quesadilla on the pan when it is cooked on one side, use two plates. Carefully slide the quesadilla onto one plate when it is cooked on one side. Place a plate on top and flip it over so that your quesadilla is now on the other plate with the uncooked tortilla at the bottom. Carefully slide the quesadilla onto the pan and let it finish cooking on the other side.