Ingredients
Vegetables
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
Proteins and Dairy
- 16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1 ½ cups black beans, drained
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (avocado or light olive oil)
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 6 burrito size flour tortillas
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and position two racks in the upper-middle and lower-middle positions to allow even baking on two pans simultaneously.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine diced onions, diced red bell pepper, and neutral oil. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the onions are softened and fragrant. Let the mixture cool slightly.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Using two standard cookie sheets, brush about 1 tablespoon of melted butter onto each sheet using a silicone brush. Place three flour tortillas on each sheet, letting half of each tortilla hang over the edge.
- Assemble Quesadillas: Evenly sprinkle shredded Monterey Jack cheese over half of each tortilla. Then evenly add the sautéed bell pepper and onion mixture, black beans, and approximately ½ cup of cooked chicken to each tortilla half.
- Fold and Butter: Fold the empty half of each tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Brush the folded tops of the tortillas evenly with the remaining 2 tablespoons of melted butter for a crispy finish.
- Bake: Place one cookie sheet on the upper-middle oven rack and the other on the lower-middle rack. Bake for 5 minutes, then swap the pans between racks and bake for an additional 4-6 minutes. Baking is complete when the bottom sections touching the pans are golden brown and crispy.
- Flip and Serve: Carefully flip the quesadillas with a spatula so the golden brown bottom is now on top. Slice each quesadilla into portions with a sharp knife or pizza cutter and serve hot for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken that is chopped or shredded; rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works well.
- You can substitute other cheese types like cheddar or a Mexican blend if desired.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and add extra beans or vegetables.
- To add a little spice, consider adding jalapeños or a dash of chili powder to the vegetable mixture.
- Make sure to watch the quesadillas near the end of baking to prevent burning as ovens can vary.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
