Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas are filled with marinated and seasoned chicken, fresh spinach, and Monterey Jack cheese. Served with salsa and sour cream, these are one of the best at home quesadillas I've had!
This post was originally published on May 15, 2009. In July 2020 it was updated with photos and additional commentary.
These are seriously the best quesadillas - and I've had a lot of quesadillas! A chicken quesadilla is typically my stand-by order at restaurants when nothing else pops out at me. I've made quesadillas at home before, and they've been good, but these are better than good. And paired with Fresh Homemade Salsa salsa - OMG! Bob said they were the best quesadillas he's ever had, and he doesn't just hand out compliments when it comes to my cooking because I urge him to be brutally honest.
I was having a frenzied day in the kitchen the first time I made these. It was the night after I had frosted and decorated these Spring Chick Cupcakes and these Carrot Cupcakes, plus I had an 11-hour work day, so I was exhausted. I didn't start making them until 7pm, and when I saw the "marinate for at least 1 hour" bit, I was having none of that! I decided to cut the chicken into small pieces before marinating to speed up the process. I guess I ended up changing the recipe a bit, but the original is linked below, which includes button mushrooms.
UPDATE: After posting this, I made these Pico de Gallo Chicken Quesadillas which we loved as well. The filling consists of sauteed chicken, onions, and green peppers that is tossed with homemade pico de gallo.
Gluten Free Option
I recently tried Mission Brand Gluten Free flour tortillas and really like them. They are super soft and taste better than other brands I have tried.
📖 Recipe
Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas
Ingredients
For the marinade:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for sauteing/grilling)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 large or 2 small chicken breasts (cut into small pieces)
For sauteeing:
- 1 large clove garlic (grated)
- fajita seasoning to taste (~⅛-1/4 package, I prefer McCormick)
- 1 ½ cups fresh spinach leaves (torn)
For the quesadillas:
- 3 large flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
For serving:
- salsa
- sour cream
Instructions
- Add marinade ingredients to a resealable plastic bag and squeeze to mix. Marinate in fridge for 30 minutes.1 tablespoon olive oil, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, Juice of 1 lime, 1 large or 2 small chicken breasts
- Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat with a little olive oil. Add grated garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add all of the contents of the plastic bag and sprinkle on fajita seasoning. Cook until chicken is done and moisture is absorbed. Toss in torn spinach and cook until wilted, remove from heat.1 large clove garlic, fajita seasoning to taste, 1 ½ cups fresh spinach leaves
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush lightly with olive oil. Place a tortilla down on the pan, add some Monterey Jack cheese, then ½ or ⅓ of the chicken/spinach mixture (depending on how much you have), and top with more of the cheese. Fold over the tortilla and cook until tortilla is crispy and grill marks have formed. Flip to cook other side. Repeat with remaining quesadilla(s).3 large flour tortillas, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- Cut quesadillas with a pizza cutter. Serve with salsa and sour cream.
Melissa says
Quesadillas to the rescue when you've had a long day. I make them when my day has been hectic. So yummy!
Lexie says
Your blogs name is so cute! Those quesadillas look amazing!!!
Sharon says
It's been awhile since I"ve had quesdillas and these look amazing!
Kerstin says
These quesadillas look addicting! I love the chicken marinade and the spinach in them! My hubby is the same way about giving out compliments 🙂
Maria says
We love these for quick dinner nights! Looks super tasty!
La Bella Cooks says
Oh wow, these wouldn't last long in my house. Love all the flavors here.
Chocolaty Lifestyle says
What a wonderful idea, this one must be yummy! :))
Stacey says
Oh my yum those look delicious!!
Proud Italian Cook says
I'm making these for lunch today. I have everything in my frig!
Anonymous says
ggreat
Malibu Patty says
These quesadillas ROCK! I made them last night, as well as the salsa, and am counting down the hours until dinner tonight when I can make more with the leftovers. Many thanks. Love your blog!