Description
This Blooming Chicken Quesadilla Ring is a festive and delicious appetizer perfect for sharing at parties or family gatherings. Layers of tortillas stuffed with creamy, cheesy chicken filling and sautéed peppers and onions are arranged in a flower-like ring and baked until golden and crispy. Served with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream, this dish combines the comforting flavors of classic quesadillas with a fun presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 2 bell peppers, sliced (red, yellow, green, or orange, or combination)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Dairy & Wet Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (1 brick, 250 grams)
- ¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (additional for topping)
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (additional for topping)
Proteins
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or homemade)
Seasonings & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning
- Cooking spray or oil for brushing
Carbs & Others
- 12 medium flour tortillas (10″ – 12″)
For Serving
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Line a large baking sheet or pizza tray with parchment paper or grease it with foil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil along with the sliced onion and bell peppers. Sauté, stirring often, until the vegetables soften and turn golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and taco seasoning. Mix until smooth and well blended.
- Add Chicken & Veggies: Fold in the shredded cooked chicken along with the cooled sautéed onions and peppers, mixing gently until everything is evenly combined. Set aside this flavorful filling.
- Prepare Tortillas: Slice each of the 12 medium flour tortillas in half to create 24 semicircles.
- Fill & Roll Tortillas: Evenly distribute about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto each tortilla semicircle. Spread the filling leaving a small border around the edges. Carefully roll each tortilla into a cone shape, making sure they are tight enough to hold but not so tight that filling oozes out.
- Arrange Cones: Place a small round bowl in the center of your prepared baking tray. Arrange half of the filled tortilla cones around the bowl with the pointed ends touching the bowl, forming the base layer of your ring.
- Add Cheese to Base Layer: Sprinkle half of the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the base layer of cones to add extra cheesy goodness.
- Build Second Layer: Arrange the rest of the tortilla cones on top of the base layer to create a beautiful second layer. Top this layer with the rest of the shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Gently remove the bowl from the center.
- Prepare for Baking: Lightly spray the exposed edges of the tortillas with cooking spray or brush them with oil for a crispy finish.
- Bake: Bake the quesadilla ring on the middle rack of the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the tortilla edges are golden and crispy.
- Garnish & Serve: Carefully transfer the baked quesadilla ring to a serving platter. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions if desired. Place a small bowl of salsa in the center of the ring, and serve additional small bowls of sour cream and guacamole on the side for dipping. Enjoy your festive and flavorful appetizer!
Notes
- You can use any combination of bell peppers to add color and sweetness.
- For a lighter option, substitute sour cream with plain Greek yogurt.
- If you want more spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use spicy taco seasoning.
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting.
- Serve immediately after baking for the best crispiness; leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated.
- Rotisserie chicken is a convenient option, but you can also roast or grill your own chicken for this recipe.
