Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas with Avocado Salsa

For the Chipotle Chicken:

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, minced

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • Juice of 1 lime

For the Avocado Salsa:

Ingredients:

  • 2 ripe avocados, diced

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1/2 red onion, finely diced

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Quesadillas:

Ingredients:

  • Flour or corn tortillas

  • Shredded Monterey Jack cheese

  • Chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

  • Lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

For the Chipotle Chicken:

1.     Marinate the Chicken:

    • In a bowl, combine sliced chicken breasts with olive oil, minced chipotle peppers, minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and lime juice. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2.     Sauté the Chicken:

    • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken slices until fully cooked and slightly caramelized, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside.

For the Avocado Salsa:

  1. Prepare the Salsa:

    • In a bowl, gently mix together diced avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.

For the Quesadillas:

1.     Assemble the Quesadillas:

    • On one half of a tortilla, place a generous amount of the cooked chipotle chicken and sprinkle with shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to create a semi-circle.

2.     Cook the Quesadillas:

    • Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook the quesadillas for 2-3 minutes per side or until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melted.

3.     Serve:

    • Repeat the process for the remaining quesadillas. Cut each quesadilla into wedges.

4.     Plate with Avocado Salsa:

    • Arrange the quesadilla wedges on a serving platter. Serve with a generous portion of avocado salsa on the side.

5.     Garnish and Serve:

    • Garnish the Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas with additional chopped cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over the top.

Presentation Tips:

  • Serve the quesadillas on a slate or wooden platter for a rustic presentation.

  • Drizzle a touch of chipotle aioli on the plate for added elegance.