Hen Fajita Quesadilla - Barefeet within the Kitchen

Crisp heat tortillas crammed with rooster, bell peppers, and loads of melting cheese present a terrific dinner, or a wonderful approach to make use of up only a little bit of leftovers. Who would flip down piping scorching 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 very best 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 might have a spare second within the afternoon and so they’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 how one can 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, and so they’re a terrific approach to make use of up leftover components that may be within the fridge. I prefer to make rooster fajitas in bulk (which is why I’ve a gradual cooker recipe), in order that I can throw collectively lunches like these rooster fajita quesadillas, the place it feels a little bit extra deliberate out than simply plain cheese.

stacked quesadillas on cutting board over blue and white checked napkin

Elements and Substitutions

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

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

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

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

sauteeing peppers and onions in nonstick skillet

Notes on Gear

12-inch nonstick skillet – I’ve been by about 1,000,000 skillets through the years. Nicely, possibly not fairly that many. However, I’ve tried just about every part, together with some loopy costly stylish 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 virtually each single day. It’s skinny sufficient to slip cleanly beneath 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 beneath the quesadilla for a clear flip.
Chef’s knife
Chopping board

Find out how to Make Hen Fajita Quesadillas

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

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

adding chicken to tortilla for quesadilla

Layering the Elements: 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 components have been added to the quesadilla, you’ll need to fold the tortilla over on itself and let cook 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 cook dinner the opposite aspect for a further 2-3 minutes.

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

golden brown folded quesadilla in skillet

Professional Tip

For the previous few years, I’ve had quesadillas for lunch extra typically than anything. Over these years, I’ve discovered that a very powerful a part of the method is temperature management and endurance. To make an amazing quesadilla, the cheese must be totally 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 Downside – Should you don’t occur to have leftover fajitas readily available, a little bit of cooked rooster 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 rooster 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 couple 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. Maintain it as easy or as fancy as you want!

Make Forward & Storage

Find out how to Retailer: Leftovers might be refrigerated in an hermetic container for 1-3 days.

Find out how to Reheat: To maximise crispiness, I prefer 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 flippantly charred. Then add in some pre-cooked rooster till heat.

Can I exploit one other protein supply, as an alternative of rooster?

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

Why is my cheese not melting quick sufficient?

It could appear odd, however often the warmth is just too excessive. You could decrease the warmth in order that the tortilla will crisp extra slowly, giving the cheese time to soften. You may also 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 ideas 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 scorching pan.
Sprinkle about half the cheese over the tortilla and prime with the cooked rooster, bell peppers, and onions. High with the remaining cheese and sprinkle with cilantro.
Fold the tortilla over on itself and let cook dinner for 2-3 minutes, till the cheese has begun to soften and the underside tortilla is golden brown.
Rigorously flip the folded quesadilla over to cook dinner the opposite aspect for a further 2-3 minutes. After the quesadilla is golden brown on either side, use a spatula to switch it to a chopping board.
Slice it into wedges and serve heat. Repeat as desired for extra servings.