Chipotle Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas
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We liked these. We liked these very, very much.
I really should just stop there, but understatement is not my style. I’m trying to tone it down a little and keep the hyperbole to a minimum. So this is the third version of this post that I’ve written… the first two having to do with how this little grilled flour tortilla has rocked our quesadilla-loving world and expanded our quesadilla consciousness in unimaginable ways!
But I will herewith use some restraint and just say that this is one amazingly delicious quesadilla. The flavors of chipotle chiles and chicken and black beans and cilantro and cheese and green onion and avocado enfolded in a slightly grilled flour tortilla and then dipped in an avocado citrus crema are nothing short of mind blowing!! I mean, really good.
Really, really good. So good that there was a very good chance that the filling was never going to make it into the flour tortilla because we could not resist sticking our spoons in that bowl. But while it’s true that the filling is amazingly good all by itself, tucked inside that grilled flour tortilla, with the melting cheese, it’s simply divine. It does not need dunking into that beautiful avocado citrus crema, but oh my, does that ever just blow the top off the whole thing!
I really think you should try these.
Chipotle Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas
Recipe Courtesy Jane Palmer of the Omaha World Herald
1 1/2 cups shredded, roasted chicken
3/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
3 large or 4 small green onions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, minced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (or 1 1 /2 cups grated panela cheese and 1/2 cup grated cotija cheese)
4 flour tortillas (10-inch in diameter)
1 1/2 large, ripe fresh avocados, seeded, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
Avocado Citrus Crema (recipe below)
Combine chicken, black beans, onions, cilantro, chiles, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Let stand 20 minutes to blend the flavors.
Mix cheeses together in a bowl.
Place a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Place a tortilla into the skillet and place a portion of the cheese over the entire tortilla. Place a portion of the chicken mixture over half of the tortilla, leaving the other half empty. Cover the chicken mixture with a portion of avocado slices. Cook until cheese begins to melt, about three to four minutes.
Fold tortilla in half, over the avocado and chicken mixture. Continue cooking until the tortilla is lightly golden on both sides and the cheese begins to ooze. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
Cut quesadillas into wedges and serve with Avocado Citrus Crema.
Avocado Citrus Crema
1 large, ripe avocado, seeded, peeled and quartered
1/3 cup light sour cream
3 tablespoons of fresh-squeezed lime juice
1/2 orange, juiced
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
