Pioneer Woman Chicken Quesadillas Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Chicken Quesadillas recipe is a cheesy and savory recipe, which is made with taco-seasoned chicken and colorful bell peppers. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Quesadillas Ingredients

For the Quesadillas:

• 2 pounds skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons taco or Cajun seasoning mix
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 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, seeded and sliced into strips
• 12 large flour tortillas
• 2 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 12 tablespoons butter, for frying

For the Pico de Gallo:

• 12 Roma tomatoes
• 3 yellow or red onions
• 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 to 3 jalapenos
• 1 lime
• Salt

How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Quesadillas

1. Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Sprinkle the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and the taco seasoning. Sauté the chicken for about 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet, let it rest for a few minutes, then dice into cubes.
2. Cook the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet over high heat. Add the sliced onions and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes, until they are tender-crisp with some charred spots. Remove from the skillet.
3. Assemble the Quesadillas: Melt 1/2 tablespoon of butter in a separate large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place a flour tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle a layer of grated cheese on the tortilla, followed by some of the diced chicken and cooked peppers. Top with a little more cheese and place a second tortilla on top.
4. Fry Until Golden: Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden and crispy. Carefully flip the quesadilla, adding another 1/2 tablespoon of butter to the skillet at the same time. Continue cooking until the second side is golden and the cheese is completely melted. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and fillings.
5. Serve: Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately with fresh Pico de Gallo.

How to Make the Pico de Gallo:

1. Dice equal quantities of tomatoes and onions. Roughly chop the cilantro.
2. Finely dice the deseeded jalapenos.
3. Combine all chopped ingredients in a bowl. Squeeze in the juice from half a lime, sprinkle with salt, and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Recipe Tips

• How to get a good char on the vegetables? The key is a hot pan and not overcrowding it. Cook the peppers and onions over high heat and let them sit for a minute or two without stirring to develop those delicious dark brown and black areas.
• What’s the best cheese for quesadillas? Monterey Jack is the perfect choice because it’s mild and melts incredibly well, creating that classic cheesy pull. Shredding your own cheese from a block will always give you the best result.
• Can I make these ahead of time? Quesadillas are best served fresh. However, you can cook the chicken and vegetables a day in advance and store them in the refrigerator to make assembly quick and easy.
• How to flip a large quesadilla? The easiest way is to slide the quesadilla onto a large plate, place the skillet upside down over the plate, and then carefully flip the whole thing over.

What To Serve With Chicken Quesadillas

These are a meal in themselves, but they are even better with a full spread of classic toppings:

• Pico de Gallo (recipe included)
• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Guacamole or sliced avocado
• Your favorite salsa

How To Store Chicken Quesadillas

• Refrigerate: Store leftover quesadilla wedges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: The best way to reheat quesadillas and re-crisp the tortillas is in a dry skillet over medium heat or in an oven/air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes.

Pioneer Woman Chicken Quesadillas Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 550-650 kcal
• Fat: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 35g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Chicken Fingers Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Chicken Fajitas Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Chicken Fajita Seasoning Recipe