Description
This Blooming Chicken Quesadilla Ring is a fun and shareable appetizer featuring layers of flour tortillas filled with a creamy, cheesy chicken mixture and sautéed bell peppers and onions. Baked to golden perfection, this crispy quesadilla ring is great for gatherings and served with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for dipping.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 bell peppers (sliced, any color or combination)
- 3 green onions (thinly sliced, for garnish)
Dairy & Condiments
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, 1 brick, 250 grams)
- ¼ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded) + extra ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese for topping
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese (shredded) + extra ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping
Proteins & Spices
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or homemade)
- 1 1/2 tbsp taco seasoning
Others
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 12 medium flour tortillas (10″ – 12″ diameter), halved
- Cooking spray or additional oil for brushing
- Salsa (for serving)
- Guacamole (for serving)
- Sour cream (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet or pizza tray with parchment paper or grease it with foil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onion and bell peppers, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until softened and golden brown. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime juice, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Add Chicken and Veggies: Stir in the shredded chicken along with the cooled sautéed onions and bell peppers. Mix gently until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Set aside.
- Slice Tortillas: Cut each of the 12 medium flour tortillas in half to create 24 semicircles.
- Fill Tortillas: Evenly distribute approximately 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto each tortilla half, spreading it out but leaving a small border around edges to prevent overfilling.
- Roll Tortilla Cones: Carefully roll each filled tortilla half into a cone shape, making sure they are tight enough to hold the filling but not so tight that the filling squeezes out.
- Arrange Base Layer: Place a small round bowl in the center of your prepared baking sheet. Arrange half of the tortilla cones with the pointed ends touching the bowl, forming the first layer of the ring.
- Cheese on Base Layer: Sprinkle half of the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the base layer of cones.
- Add Second Layer: Place the remaining tortilla cones on top to build a second layer, continuing the ring shape around the bowl.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the top layer. Then carefully remove the small round bowl from the center.
- Prepare for Baking: Lightly spray the edges of the tortillas with cooking spray or brush them with a little oil to encourage crispiness during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet on the middle rack and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tortilla edges turn crispy and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and carefully transfer the quesadilla ring to a serving platter. Optionally, garnish with the thinly sliced green onions.
- Serve: Fill a small bowl with salsa and place it in the center of the ring. Serve additional small bowls of sour cream and guacamole on the side for dipping. Enjoy this festive and delicious appetizer!
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or any cooked shredded chicken for convenience.
- Adjust the taco seasoning amount according to your spice preference.
- To save time, vegetables can be sautéed ahead and refrigerated.
- Flour tortillas work best for rolling; corn tortillas may crack.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Optional garnishes like chopped cilantro or jalapeños can enhance flavor.
