Hen Fajita Quesadilla - Barefeet within the Kitchen

Crisp heat tortillas crammed with hen, bell peppers, and loads of melting cheese present a terrific dinner, or a wonderful means to make use of up only a little bit of leftovers. Who would flip down piping sizzling Hen Fajita Quesadillas for lunch or dinner? (Not me!)

stacked quesadillas on board next to blue and white napkin

These quesadillas are one thing else, my good friend. And, the most effective half is that they make use of my slow cooker chicken fajitas. These fajitas are a “quick crockpot meal,” which means you can begin them when you’ve a spare second within the afternoon they usually’ll be prepared by the point everyone seems to be hungry within the night. Tuck these fajitas in a tortilla with melted cheese, and I’m one completely happy camper.

Hen Fajita Quesadillas

My sister taught me the best way to make absolutely irresistible quesadillas a few years in the past and ever since then, they’ve been an everyday breakfast, lunch, and dinner possibility in our dwelling.

Quesadilla fillings are endlessly enjoyable to play with, they usually’re a terrific means to make use of up leftover substances that may be within the fridge. I wish to make hen fajitas in bulk (which is why I’ve a sluggish cooker recipe), in order that I can throw collectively lunches like these hen fajita quesadillas, the place it feels a bit of extra deliberate out than simply plain cheese.

stacked quesadillas on cutting board over blue and white checked napkin

Substances and Substitutions

Tortillas – For quesadillas, I desire flour tortillas, for his or her taste. In addition they have a tendency to carry up higher underneath warmth. However, corn tortillas will work if that’s your choice.

The Cheese – Any melty cheese with gentle taste will work. My go-tos are cheddar, Monterey jack, or Pepper Jack.

Hen & Greens – If you happen to’re not utilizing leftover fajitas, you’ll be able to nonetheless make this quesadilla. Simply use pre-cooked hen, and fast saute some yellow onion and bell pepper.

Butter – Butter helps preserve the tortillas from sticking to the pan whereas crisping the sides, and including only a trace of wealthy taste too.

sauteeing peppers and onions in nonstick skillet

Notes on Tools

12-inch nonstick skillet – I’ve been by way of about 1,000,000 skillets over time. Nicely, possibly not fairly that many. However, I’ve tried just about all the things, together with some loopy costly fashionable model names. And, for the previous a number of years this All-Clad 12″ Frying Pan has been my on a regular basis champ. It crisps the tortillas evenly and lets the quesadilla slide proper out.
Flexible turner – I attain for this nylon versatile turner nearly each single day. It’s skinny sufficient to slip cleanly underneath eggs and pancakes, but sturdy sufficient to deal with a full burger flip with out bending. And, the nylon is light on my nonstick pans. It slips proper underneath the quesadilla for a clear flip.
Chef’s knife
Slicing board

Learn how to Make Hen Fajita Quesadillas

Warming the Skillet: You’ll must set a big non-stick skillet over medium warmth on the range for a few minutes to warmth it up absolutely.

Buttering the Tortilla: I evenly butter one aspect of the tortilla with about ½ teaspoon of butter. Then I place it within the sizzling pan butter aspect down.

adding chicken to tortilla for quesadilla

Layering the Substances: I sprinkle about half of the cheese throughout one aspect of the tortilla. Then, I prime with the chicken fajitas, the remaining cheese, and a sprinkling of cilantro.

adding final layer of cheese to tortilla for quesadilla

Folding the Tortilla: As soon as all of the filling substances have been added to the quesadilla, you’ll need to fold the tortilla over on itself and let prepare dinner for 2-3 minutes, till the cheese has begun to soften and the underside tortilla is golden brown.

Flipping the Quesadilla: I fastidiously flip the folded quesadilla over to prepare dinner the opposite aspect for an extra 2-3 minutes.

Serving: After the quesadilla is golden brown on each side, you need to use a spatula to switch it to a slicing board. Slice it into wedges and serve heat.

golden brown folded quesadilla in skillet

Knowledgeable Tip

For the previous few years, I’ve had quesadillas for lunch extra usually than the rest. Over these years, I’ve discovered that crucial a part of the method is temperature management and endurance. To make a terrific quesadilla, the cheese must be absolutely melted in the identical time it takes for the tortilla to crisp. So, if the tortilla is browning too quick, I cut back (and even take away the pan from) the warmth and canopy the pan with a lid to assist soften the cheese.

No Fajitas, No Drawback – If you happen to don’t occur to have leftover fajitas readily available, a little bit of cooked hen and sauteed peppers and onions will do the trick properly. Toss them along with a sprinkling of taco seasoning and also you’ll have a tasty improvised hen fajita combine to your quesadillas.

golden brown quesadilla in skillet, spatula lifting and showing cheese pull

Serving Recommendations

These quesadillas flip into an actual feast with a number of sides on the desk. I set out southwestern po’dunk sauce for dipping and pile a scoop of sweet and spicy coleslaw alongside for crunch. To make it a full plate, spherical it out with a serving to of cajun rice. Preserve it as easy or as fancy as you want!

Make Forward & Storage

Learn how to Retailer: Leftovers may be refrigerated in an hermetic container for 1-3 days.

Learn how to Reheat: To maximise crispiness, I wish to reheat leftover quesadilla wedges in a skillet on the range, or within the air fryer.

chicken, peppers, and onions in a cheesy quesadilla

Extra Fajita Impressed Recipes

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

How can I make these fajitas with what I’ve readily available?

You’ll need to heat a big non-stick skillet on the range over medium-high warmth. Whereas the pan warms, chop the onion and bell pepper. Saute with 1 tbsp of olive oil till softened and evenly charred. Then add in some pre-cooked hen till heat.

Can I take advantage of one other protein supply, as an alternative of hen?

I’ve discovered that beef is a superb alternative, as is leftover pulled pork. If you wish to strive a vegetarian fajita possibility, do this with some black beans within the combine.

Why is my cheese not melting quick sufficient?

It could appear odd, however often the warmth is simply too excessive. It’s good to decrease the warmth in order that the tortilla will crisp extra slowly, giving the cheese time to soften. You can too cowl the pan with a lid to assist the cheese steam and soften. There are extra notes about managing temperature management and melting the cheese within the suggestions part.

Preheat a big non-stick skillet to medium warmth. Evenly butter one aspect of the tortilla with ½ teaspoon of butter and place the tortilla butter aspect down within the sizzling pan.
Sprinkle about half the cheese over the tortilla and prime with the cooked hen, bell peppers, and onions. High with the remaining cheese and sprinkle with cilantro.
Fold the tortilla over on itself and let prepare dinner for 2-3 minutes, till the cheese has begun to soften and the underside tortilla is golden brown.
Fastidiously flip the folded quesadilla over to prepare dinner the opposite aspect for an extra 2-3 minutes. After the quesadilla is golden brown on each side, use a spatula to switch it to a slicing board.
Slice it into wedges and serve heat. Repeat as desired for extra servings.