I love me some quesadillas! Whenever I go to a Mexican restaurant, a chicken and cheese quesadilla is what I always order. Something about that golden, crunch of the flour tortilla, gooey, melted cheese and tender chicken….so simple yet so divine.
Isaac loves them too and for the past week it’s what I’ve been making for lunch. They are so easy to whip up which is always a plus when it comes to lunch. I vary the fillings so that we don’t get bored. So far this week we’ve had spinach, gouda and chicken, roasted tomato and cheese, and this smoked chicken and cheese, all super delish!!!
You can use any kind of cheese with this really, but smoked cheeses really sets this one apart from your regular ol’ chicken and cheese quesadillas
Watch me make me these Smoked Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas from start to finish!
The Recipe
Smoked Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla
By Divas Can Cook
Serves
8-10
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cilantro
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ t. black pepper
- Pinch of cumin (optional)
- 1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
- 8-10 (8 inch) flour tortillas
- Mexican cheese blend
- Smoked Cheddar. finely shredded
- Smoked Gouda, finely shredded
- guacamole, salsa, sour cream (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the seasonings together.
- Season chicken thighs generously with the seasoning (you may not need all of it)
- Heat a buttered skillet over medium heat.
- Cook thighs about 6-8 minutes per side or until juices run clear.
- Drain on a plate lined with paper towels and let cool.
- Cut or shred the chicken into small pieces and place in a large bowl.
- Toss in the diced tomatoes.
- Add butter to a grill pan over medium heat and place a tortilla in the center.
- On one side of the tortilla, add an even layer of mexican cheese blend, followed by a layer of chicken mixture and then a layer of smoked cheddar and smoked gouda.
- Fold the other half of the tortilla over to cover the cheese and chicken. Press down on the quesadilla with a spatula.
- Let cook until cheese has melted. Reduce heat if needed.
- Serve hot with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.
Notes
~TIPS~
Mexican Cheese Blend is just a bag of assorted cheeses tossed with mexican spices. You can get it at most grocery stores.
Feel free to jazz it up more with chopped bacon, jalepenos, minced red or green onions!
You can also use chicken breast if you are not a fan of chicken thighs.
I lightly butter my pan after each quesadilla. It really adds a nice buttery, crunch to the outside of the tortilla.
Thnx for sharing this we’re making it right now!!! I bet it tastes gr8 but you dont HAVE to use thighs, right? cuz we have a mixture of thighs and legs:)
Thanks girl…I can’t wait to try this recipe…It looks so good!
I love you!!! You really make me feel like I can cook! Thank you for making it so easy. Keep up the good work.
mmmmm-good all i can say i cooked these everyone loved these i almost didn’t get one keep up the good cooking and sharing
This was a great meal ate it tonight with my mom yum!!!
Hey Monique! I Have A Question, Where Did You Get Your Grill Pan? I Want One Just Like Yours. PLEASE REPLY!!!!
Hi, Monique! I just whipped up this good-looking quesadilla for my family reunion. They all were wolfing down this quesadilla like crazy! Thanx so much for sharing this recipe with others!
I’ve bought boneless thighs from Walmart and Krogers.
I am probably your newest biggest fan. I love all your recipes. My husband and kids loved this recipe. I did add bacon in but that all I changed . Thanks Mo. Keep up the good work and recipes coming!
Hi Monique, where do you purchase boneless chicken thighs? I have never grilled chicken on the stove. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Can’t wait to try it.