Imagine a culinary adventure that combines the zesty sweetness of mandarin oranges with the savory comfort of chicken, all wrapped in a crispy, golden tortilla. These Mandarin Orange Chicken Quesadillas are not just a meal—they're a taste sensation that will transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary experience! Perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings, this recipe promises to tantalize your taste buds and impress even the pickiest eaters.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 4 flour tortillas
- Olive oil for cooking
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken, 1 cup of drained mandarin oranges, 1 cup of shredded cheese, 4 flour tortillas, and some olive oil for cooking.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken and mandarin oranges. Gently mix them together to ensure the oranges are evenly distributed throughout the chicken.
- Take one flour tortilla and place it on a clean surface or a cutting board. Spoon a portion of the chicken and mandarin orange mixture onto one half of the tortilla.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded cheese over the chicken and orange mixture. You can adjust the amount of cheese based on your preference.
- Fold the tortilla in half over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press down gently to seal the edges.
- In a large skillet, heat a small amount of olive oil over medium heat. You want just enough oil to lightly coat the bottom of the skillet.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully place the folded quesadilla in the skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on one side, or until it is golden brown and crispy.
- Using a spatula, flip the quesadilla over and cook the other side for another 3-4 minutes, until it is also golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Once cooked, remove the quesadilla from the skillet and place it on a cutting board. Let it cool for a minute before slicing it into wedges.
- Repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and filling until all quesadillas are cooked.
- Serve the mandarin orange chicken quesadillas warm, with your choice of dipping sauces such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Tips
- Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to save time and ensure tender meat.
- Drain mandarin oranges thoroughly to prevent soggy quesadillas.
- Heat your skillet to medium heat to achieve that perfect golden-brown crispiness.
- Don't overfill your tortillas—this can make them difficult to fold and cook evenly.
- Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron pan for the best results.
- Let quesadillas rest for a minute after cooking to help the cheese set and make cutting easier.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like monterey jack or pepper jack for added flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 85mg
