SIMPLE STUFFED QUESADILLAS WITH TANGY SALSA

We are still busy with sports and activities, so I have built up a repertoire of quick and filling weeknight dinners.  While we sometimes opt for easy grilled cheese sandwiches, I really prefer the Mexican version:  quesadillas!  This version of the meal makes a hearty dinner and takes less than half an hour to put together.  Read on to find out how to make simple stuffed quesadillas with tangy salsa!

SIMPLE STUFFED QUESADILLAS WITH TANGY SALSA

EASY WEEKNIGHT QUESADILLA RECIPE

Thank you to Tyson Foods, Inc., Circle Foods LLC, and Pinnacle Foods Group LLC. for sponsoring this recipe. All opinions and text are entirely my own.

When I am looking to make a super quick dinner, I tend to take a little help from the grocery store.  I grabbed a bag of Tyson® Grilled & Ready® Chicken because it is so simple and convenient to make.  I can take out what I need, heat that much up, and reseal the bag for another meal.  I heated up the chicken in the microwave while I got to work on the quesadillas.

I had never tried this kind of tortilla before.  I usually grab a bag of flour tortillas when I am in the bread aisle.  The TortillaLand® tortillas were in the refrigerated section by the cinnamon rolls and pizza dough.  I grabbed some special quesadilla cheese (better for melting) in that same refrigerated case and some pre-made guacamole.  I can make decent fresh salsa, but I haven’t mastered guac yet. You can definitely make your own using fresh avocado if that is your style.

While the tortillas were heating up on the stovetop, I made up a lightning-quick batch of fresh restaurant-style salsa.  I used Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing to add an extra zesty boost of flavor to the fresh veggies.

HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN QUESADILLAS WITH HOMEMADE SALSA

For a really hearty meal, don’t skimp on the quesadilla filling.  I chopped up the heated chicken and added it and the quesadilla cheese to the tortilla that had been warming in a skillet on the stove.  Turn the heat up to medium, until the tortilla begins to bubble.  Fold the quesadilla in half, and turn the heat down to medium-low until the cheese is fully melted.  Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and slice it with a pizza cutter.

Stuffed Quesadillas with Tangy Salsa

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Ingredients

Tangy Salsa

• 2 Roma tomatoes
• 1-2 jalapenos seeded or unseeded depending on how hot you want your salsa to be
• 1/2 small onion
• 1/4 c. Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing

Quesadillas

• 1 package Tyson® Grilled & Ready® Chicken
• 1 package TortillaLand® tortillas
• 2 cups shredded taco cheese

Instructions

Tangy Salsa

• Chop tomatoes, jalapenos, and onion, by hand or in a food processor.
• Add dressing and mix until smooth.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Quesadillas

• In a large pan or large skillet, heat the chicken according to package instructions.
• Remove the chicken from the pan and chop into bite sized pieces.
• In the same pan, heat one TortillaLand® tortilla according to package directions.
• Add about 1/2 cup of chicken and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the top of the tortilla as it continues to warm in the pan.
• Turn the heat up to a medium heat, until the tortilla begins to bubble.
• Fold the quesadilla in half, and turn the heat down to medium-low until the cheese is fully melted.
• Transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and slice it with a pizza cutter.

CUSTOMIZING THE RECIPES FOR YOUR TASTES

I served my quesadillas with the store-bought guacamole and my tangy salsa, but you can add whatever toppings your family likes.  

These are a few ways you can spice up your quesadillas (literally):

• Substitute corn tortillas for the flour. They are a bit more finicky to fold, but they add amazing flavor.
• Sub out different proteins for the chicken. Steak, carnitas (pork), or barbacoa (usually beef) would be delicious in this recipe. Black beans are also a good vegetarian option.
• Swap out the shredded taco cheese for another variety. Cheddar has a good flavor, but Monterey jack gets nice and melty in the quesadilla.
• Finally, if your family tolerates spicy food, you can add all kinds of delicious spices to the filling. I have added cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika to mine with great results!

You might also like these other simple dinner recipes:

EASY CROCK POT CARNITAS

HOMEMADE CUBAN SANDWICHES