Description
These Cilantro-Lime Chicken Quesadillas feature tender, flavorful chicken seasoned with cumin and lime, combined with sautéed onions, fresh cilantro, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese, all sandwiched between crispy toasted flour tortillas. They make a perfect quick and savory meal or snack, bursting with zesty and savory flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (1 piece)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Vegetables and Mixture
- 1 medium white onion (sliced)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
Quesadilla Assembly
- 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Nonstick cooking spray (for crisping)
Instructions
- Prepare and Season Chicken: Place the chicken breast between plastic wrap or parchment paper and pound it to an even thickness. Season both sides with ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to ensure the meat is evenly flavored.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and coat the pan. Cook the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is fully cooked. Remove and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips or dicing.
- Sauté Onion and Mix: In the same skillet, add sliced onion and cook over medium-high heat until soft and translucent, about 7-8 minutes, stirring often. Transfer onions to a bowl, then stir in chopped cilantro and lime juice to create a fresh, tangy mixture.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Preheat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium heat. For each quesadilla, place 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on one tortilla, then top with 1/4 of the onion-cilantro-lime mixture, followed by 1/4 of the cooked chicken, and another 1/4 cup of cheese. Cover with a second tortilla to form a sandwich. Repeat to make 4 quesadillas.
- Cook the Quesadillas: Carefully place a quesadilla in the heated skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden and the cheese starts melting. Lightly spray the top tortilla with nonstick cooking spray for crispiness, then flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted and both sides are crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice each quesadilla into quarters and serve immediately. They pair wonderfully with sour cream, guacamole, or hot sauce as preferred.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F for food safety.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps retain juices and flavor.
- Nonstick cooking spray on the top tortilla before flipping helps create a crispy golden crust.
- Feel free to substitute mozzarella with Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese for variation.
- To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free tortillas.
- Serve with fresh dips like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa to enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Cilantro lime chicken quesadillas, chicken quesadilla recipe, easy Mexican quesadillas, cilantro lime chicken, skillet quesadillas, quick dinner ideas
