Cheesy Chicken quesadillas with corn and spinach
The word "quesadilla" is derived from the Spanish word "queso," meaning cheese. They have been a part of Mexican cuisine for centuries.
In Mexico, quesadillas are typically made by filling a tortilla with cheese (often a type of melting cheese like Oaxaca cheese) and then cooking it on a griddle or skillet until the cheese melts and the tortilla becomes crispy. They can be served plain or filled with additional ingredients such as cooked meats, beans, vegetables, or salsa.
These chicken quesadillas make a satisfying meal or snack, perfect for lunch, dinner, or any occasion. Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients or add extra spices for extra flavor.
ingredients
- - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- - 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
- - 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped
- - 4 large flour tortillas
- - 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
- - Salt and pepper to taste
- - Optional toppings: salsa, sour cream, guacamole
directions
- 1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken breast, shredded cheese, thawed corn kernels, and chopped spinach. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- 2. Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place one flour tortilla flat on the skillet.
- 3. Spoon a quarter of the chicken, cheese, corn, and spinach mixture onto one half of the tortilla, leaving some space around the edges.
- 4. Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press down gently with a spatula to flatten the quesadilla slightly.
- 5. Cook the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted. Use a spatula to carefully flip the quesadilla halfway through cooking.
- 6. Remove the cooked quesadilla from the skillet and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow it to cool for a minute before slicing it into wedges using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- 7. Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and filling mixture to make three more quesadillas.
- 8. Serve the chicken quesadillas hot, garnished with your choice of toppings such as salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.