Best 7 Chicken Pesto Quesadillas Recipes

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Chicken pesto quesadillas are a delicious and easy to make meal that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Made with a combination of grilled chicken, pesto sauce, cheese, and tortillas, this dish is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. The succulent chicken, flavorful pesto, gooey cheese, and crispy tortillas come together to create a mouthwatering experience. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a tasty appetizer, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHICKEN-PESTO QUESADILLAS



Chicken-Pesto Quesadillas image

Whip up a satisfying snack or light meal in just 20 minutes. Use Old El Paso flour tortillas and prepared pesto for a fast dash to the table.

Provided by By Inspired Taste

Categories     Entree

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 5

8 Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for soft tacos & fajitas (6 inch; from 8.2-oz package)
1/4 cup basil pesto
1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1 cup packed fresh baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 oz)

Steps:

  • For each quesadilla, spread 1 tortilla with 1 tablespoon of the pesto. Top with 1/4 cup of the chicken, 1/4 cup of the spinach and 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Top with a second tortilla.
  • Heat heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 1 quesadilla to skillet. Cook about 2 minutes until bottom is lightly browned. Carefully turn; cook 2 minutes longer until second side is lightly browned and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
  • To serve, cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving

CHICKEN QUESADILLAS



Chicken Quesadillas image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

12 large flour tortillas
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 1/2 cups grated cheese (Monterey Jack is the best)
2 pounds skinless chicken breasts
Pico de Gallo, for serving, recipe follows
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons taco or Cajun seasoning mix
1 large onion, cut in half and then into slices
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
1 yellow bell pepper
12 tablespoons butter, for frying
12 Roma tomatoes (slightly under ripe is fine)
3 yellow or red onions
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
2 to 3 jalapenos
1 lime
Salt

Steps:

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet over high heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper and taco seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and saute over medium-high heat until done, about 4 minute per side. Remove from the skillet and dice into cubes. Set aside.
  • Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet over high heat. Throw in the onions and peppers and cook until the peppers have a few dark brown/black areas, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  • Sizzle 1/2 tablespoon of the butter in a separate skillet or griddle over medium heat and lay a flour tortilla in the skillet. Then build the quesadillas by laying grated cheese on the bottom tortilla, and then arranging the chicken and cooked peppers. Top with a little more grated cheese and top with a second tortilla.
  • When the tortilla is golden on the first side, carefully flip the quesadilla to the other side, adding another 1/2 tablespoon butter to the skillet at the same time. Continue cooking until the second side is golden. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and fillings.
  • Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve with Pico de Gallo.
  • Dice up equal quantities of tomatoes and onions. Roughly chop the cilantro.
  • Now, slice 1 or 2 jalapenos in half. With a spoon, scrape out the seeds. (If you like things spicy, leave in some of the white membranes.) Dice the jalapenos very finely; you want a hint of heat and jalapeno flavor, but you don't want to cause any fires. Now dump the four ingredients into a bowl.
  • Slice the lime in half and squeeze the juice from half the lime into the bowl. Sprinkle with salt, and stir together until combined. Be sure to taste the pico de gallo and adjust the seasonings, adding salt or more diced jalapeno if needed.

GORDON AND GARY'S PESTO CHICKEN QUESADILLAS



Gordon and Gary's Pesto Chicken Quesadillas image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 52m

Yield 4 servings as an appetizer

Number Of Ingredients 12

Fresh basil leaves
1 clove garlic
Roasted almonds
Parmesan cheese
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
1 flour tortilla

Steps:

  • First make the pesto:
  • In a sturdy and large plastic cup put a large handful of fresh basil leaves, 1 clove of garlic, a 1/4 cup of roasted almonds, 1/4 cup of shredded Parmesan, a drizzle of olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use an immersion blender to blend it all together, until smooth and bright green. Reserve.
  • For the chicken:
  • Mix together the paprika, pepper, and cumin in a bowl with a teaspoon of salt. Dust the chicken breasts with the spice mixture and rub in. Grill on a medium hot grill, turning occasionally until chicken is just cooked through. Depending on how thick the breasts are, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Remove from grill and let rest. Cut the chicken into 1/2-inch slices and set aside. Lay a tortilla over low heat on the grill and spread a thin layer of pesto over it. Lay the strips of chicken over the tortilla and sprinkle with Parmesan, cover with another tortilla. Cook until you get color on the bottom and carefully flip it over to cook the other side. Once it is done, remove from heat and let rest for 1 minute. Cut the tortilla like a pizza and serve.

CHICKEN QUESADILLAS



Chicken Quesadillas image

This chicken quesadilla recipe has an impressive look and taste with little preparation. The leftover chicken gets Mexican flair from cumin in this fun main dish. -Linda Wetzel, Woodland Park, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

2-1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2/3 cup salsa
1/3 cup sliced green onions
3/4 to 1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
6 flour tortillas (8 inches)
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Sour cream and guacamole

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, combine the first 6 ingredients. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until heated through, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Brush 1 side of tortillas with butter; place buttered side down on a lightly greased baking sheet. Spoon 1/3 cup chicken mixture over half of each tortilla; sprinkle with 1/3 cup cheese. , Fold plain side of tortilla over cheese. Bake at 375° until crisp and golden brown, 9-11 minutes. Cut into wedges; serve with sour cream and guacamole.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 477 calories, Fat 26g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 106mg cholesterol, Sodium 901mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 31g protein.

CHICKEN QUESADILLAS



Chicken Quesadillas image

This is a great recipe for parties. I freeze the leftovers; they reheat quite well. The zesty chicken and cooked peppers are a succulent delight when mixed with the melted cheeses. Cut the quesadillas into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.

Provided by Heather

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     Latin American     Mexican

Time 55m

Yield 20

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, diced
1 (1.27 ounce) packet fajita seasoning
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 green bell peppers, chopped
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 onion, chopped
10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon bacon bits
1 (8 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Steps:

  • Preheat the broiler. Grease a baking sheet.
  • Toss the chicken with the fajita seasoning, then spread onto the baking sheet. Place under the broiler and cook until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the center, about 5 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the green bell peppers, red bell peppers, onion, and chicken. Cook and stir until the vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.
  • Layer half of each tortilla with the chicken and vegetable mixture, then sprinkle with the Cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and Monterey Jack. Fold the tortillas in half and Place onto a baking sheet.
  • Bake quesadillas in the preheated oven until the cheeses have melted, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 244.2 calories, Carbohydrate 21.8 g, Cholesterol 34.9 mg, Fat 11.3 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 13.7 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 504.3 mg, Sugar 1.8 g

CHICKEN FAJITA QUESADILLA RECIPE BY TASTY



Chicken Fajita Quesadilla Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: chicken breast, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, bell pepper, white onion, large flour tortillas, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded monterey jack cheese, fresh cilantro, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo

Provided by Claire Nolan

Categories     Dinner

Yield 2 quesadillas

Number Of Ingredients 16

½ lb chicken breast, cut into thin strips
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ tablespoon chili powder
½ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup bell pepper, green, red, or yellow peppers, julienned
½ cup white onion, julienned
2 large flour tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, double for 2 quesadillas
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese, double for 2 quesadillas
fresh cilantro
guacamole
sour cream
pico de gallo, or salsa

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, coat chicken with salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, and garlic powder. Cook 5-7 minutes.
  • Add the peppers and onions and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until they are soft. Remove chicken, onions and peppers from the pan and set aside.
  • Place the tortilla in the skillet and add a layer of cheese on half of the tortilla.
  • Add cooked chicken, peppers and onions. Top with more cheese and fold the tortilla in half.
  • Cook for 6 minutes over medium heat, flipping half way.
  • Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream on the side.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 827 calories, Carbohydrate 35 grams, Fat 45 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 66 grams, Sugar 6 grams

CHICKEN QUESADILLAS WITH POBLANO PESTO



Chicken Quesadillas With Poblano Pesto image

Using left-over or deli rotisserie chicken, these quesadillas are a cut above the norm, perked up with the as-spicy-as-you-wish poblano pesto.

Provided by SusieQusie

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 poblano chiles, roasted, peeled, seeded and diced
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds or 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
1/2 cup cilantro, with stems coarsely chopped (or use parsley if you prefer)
1 -2 serrano peppers or 1 -2 jalapeno chile, optionally blackened
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 (10 inch) flour tortillas
2 cups cooked chicken, diced (about 2 large breasts)
1 cup monterey jack cheese, grated
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Steps:

  • Put poblanos, pumpkin seeds,cilantro and serranos in a food processor and pulse until puréed.
  • Add the oil in a steady stream with the machine running.
  • Add the lime juice and salt, mixing well.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  • Spread 1/4 cup of the pesto on each tortilla.
  • Distribute 1/2 cup chicken on each tortilla and sprinkle with Monterrey Jack and Parmesan cheese.
  • Fold tortillas in half.
  • Melt the butter in a large pan over medium heat.
  • Sauté quesadillas for 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until the tortillas are golden brown and all the cheese is melted.
  • Let cool for 1 minute and cut each quesadilla into thirds. Serve with any remaining pesto or salsa of your choice.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 649.1, Fat 37.5, SaturatedFat 14.6, Cholesterol 98.4, Sodium 1040, Carbohydrate 40.6, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 3, Protein 38.1

Tips:

  • Choose Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh chicken, vegetables, and herbs for the best flavor.
  • Cook Chicken Properly: Make sure the chicken is cooked thoroughly to ensure food safety.
  • Use High-Quality Pesto: A good quality pesto will make a big difference in the overall taste of the quesadillas.
  • Don't Overfill the Quesadillas: Too much filling will make them difficult to fold and cook evenly.
  • Use the Right Cheese: A good melting cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar, will help hold the quesadillas together.
  • Cook Quesadillas Over Medium Heat: This will help prevent the tortillas from burning.
  • Serve Quesadillas Immediately: They are best enjoyed when they are hot and crispy.

Conclusion:

Chicken pesto quesadillas are a quick and easy meal that is perfect for busy weeknights. They are also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy. Whether you are looking for a quick lunch, dinner, or snack, these quesadillas are sure to hit the spot. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe, give chicken pesto quesadillas a try. You won't be disappointed.

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