Description
These Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas are a quick and flavorful Mexican-inspired meal perfect for a weeknight dinner. Packed with seasoned chicken, black beans, sautéed jalapeño and onion, and melty Mexican cheese blend, they are crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, making them irresistible and satisfying.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (or olive oil)
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, finely chopped
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, cooked and chopped
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- ½ cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
- 3 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 3 large tortillas
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat the vegetable oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped jalapeño pepper and chopped onion, sautéing them until they become just soft and fragrant.
- Add Chicken and Beans: Stir in the cooked, chopped chicken, taco seasoning, and rinsed black beans into the skillet. Cook and stir the mixture until everything is heated through. Then, remove the mixture from heat and set aside.
- Warm Tortilla: In a skillet or griddle, heat each tortilla on one side just until warm and pliable. This prevents cracking when folding.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Flip the warmed tortilla over, sprinkle a layer of shredded cheese on one half, spoon about one-third of the chicken and black bean mixture over the cheese, then add another layer of cheese on top of the filling.
- Cook Quesadilla: Fold the tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape, then press down gently with a spatula to flatten it. Cook until the bottom side is golden brown and crisp, then carefully flip and cook the other side until golden and the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet to a plate, cut into wedges, and serve immediately. Repeat the process for the remaining tortillas and filling.
Notes
- You can substitute the Mexican cheese blend with cheddar and Monterey Jack shredded cheese if preferred.
- For a spicier quesadilla, add more jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
- Ensure tortillas are warmed before folding to prevent cracking and make folding easier.
- Leftover quesadillas can be reheated in a skillet or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Use cooked chicken breast from leftovers or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
