Hi guys, it’s Tieghan from Half Baked Harvest!  I have been reading food blogs since I was 13. I began cooking at the age of 15, soon after my mom had my little sister, Asher. At first my dad and I took turns making dishes but I loved seeing the reactions from my parents and siblings and eventually I took over full-time.

The kitchen has since become my domain and I not only make all meals there, but stock it as well. And when I say stock the kitchen I mean it. Five picky brothers, a little sister, two busy parents and a very happy 17-year-old Canadian snowboarder, all make up my family. Though I am a bit older now, my love for cooking has remained the same! I do it simply because I love and I love my the people around me happy!

I am so excited that Mariel asked me to contribute over here on her awesome blog! I am even more excited to share this super simple quesadilla recipe!

I know many of you Or So She Says readers are busy mom’s with picky little eaters! I may not have any kids myself, but I have brothers. Five to be exact. They’re picky. Like really, really picky. So I am not going to give you some complicated recipe with things your kids will NOT eat! Who on Earth wants to deal with that on a busy school night? Not you!

Nope, today I got one cheesy, crispy quesadilla that is sure to win everyone over. No seriously, it will. Whenever my two younger brother’s get the chance (and by whenever, I mean all the time) this is what they ask me to make. I am pretty sure they could eat them everyday for a week. No, actually I know they could. That and sesame seed bagels (but only Einsteins), boy do they love their bagels! Of course they’ll skip that green avocado.
You want to know the secret to a dang good quesadilla? Don’t over stuff them, make them in half circles instead of a full circle and throw in some rice. This will ensure a warm filling, crispy tortilla and easier flipping!
These are great for after school snacks, a fun Mexican dinner, or even as an appetizer cut up into small triangles! Triple winner! If you are looking for other great family meals check out my Kung Poa Chicken or super easy Crockpot Sweet and Spicy Chicken Tacos! Need dessert? Oh, don’t worry I got you covered! How about some Homemade Peanut Butter Oreo’s!

 
Loaded Chicken Taco Quesadillas with Fire Roasted Salsa

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The Best Quesadillas Ever with Fire Roasted Salsa (she: Tieghan)

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 quesadilla halves (2 whole circles)

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil plus a little more for the pan
  • 4 tablespoons of your favorite taco seasoning divided
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breast or you can sub two grilled chicken breast
  • 1 cup cooked rice white or brown
  • 1 cup pepper jack cheese shredded
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 4 large flour tortilla's
  • 1 avocado sliced for serving
  • Salsa:
  • 1 can 14 oz Fire Roasted Tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup fresh cherry tomatoes sliced in half
  • 1/2 cup white onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 whole jalapeno chopped (remove some of the seeds if you want a mild salsa)
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo
  • 1 tablespoon of the adobo sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 cup cilantro or 2 tablespoons dried cilantro
  • 1 lime juiced

Instructions

  1. To prepare the salsa combine all ingredients in the food processor or blender.
  2. Pulse until everything is evenly blended.
  3. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
  4. Remove from food processor or blender and refrigerate.
  5. For the quesadillas heat your grill to medium high heat, you can also use a grill pan. Place the chicken in a bowl and toss with the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the taco seasoning. Grill the chicken for 5-7 minutes on both sides or until cooked through. Allow to cool five minutes and then chop into bite size pieces.
  6. Working with one tortilla at a time spread about 1/4 cup of the pepper jack cheese on one half of the tortilla, layer that with about a 1/4 cup of rice. Add 1/4 of the chopped chicken and sprinkle that with about 1/4 of the remaining taco seasoning (the more the better!). Spread about 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese over the chicken and gently fold the other half of the tortilla over. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and ingredients.
  7. Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add just a little olive oil to the pan. Cook each quesadilla for 3-4 minutes on each side or until the cheese has melted and the tortillas are crispy.
  8. Cut into wedges and serve with avocados and salsa if desired.

Ok. I am done. Go to town! 

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