Description
This Blooming Chicken Quesadilla Ring is a fun and festive appetizer perfect for parties and gatherings. Featuring layers of tender cooked chicken mixed with sautéed peppers and onions, cream cheese, sour cream, and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, all wrapped in flour tortillas and baked to golden, crispy perfection. Served with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for dipping, this ring is both visually impressive and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
- 2 bell peppers (sliced, red, yellow, green, or orange, or a combination)
- 3 green onions (thinly sliced)
Dairy
- 8 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature, 1 brick, 250 grams)
- ¼ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- ¼ cup mozzarella cheese (shredded, plus additional ¼ cup shredded for topping)
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese (shredded, plus additional ¼ cup shredded for topping)
Protein
- 3 cups cooked chicken (shredded, e.g., rotisserie chicken or homemade)
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 ½ tbsp taco seasoning
- 12 medium flour tortillas (10″ – 12″ size)
- Cooking spray or oil (for brushing the tortillas)
- Salsa (for serving)
- Guacamole (for serving)
- Sour cream (for serving)
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: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan or skillet over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onion and the sliced bell peppers. Sauté for about 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables soften and turn golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon lime juice, ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 ½ tablespoons taco seasoning. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Add Chicken and Veggies: Fold the shredded cooked chicken and the cooled sautéed onions and peppers into the cheese mixture gently, ensuring an even distribution without breaking down the ingredients too much. Set this filling aside.
- Prepare Tortillas: Slice each of the 12 medium flour tortillas in half, creating 24 semicircular pieces.
- Fill Tortillas: Spoon about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto the wide end of each tortilla half, spreading it evenly but leaving a small border around the edges.
- Roll Tortillas into Cones: Carefully roll each filled tortilla half into a cone shape. Roll tightly enough so the filling stays secure, but avoid pressing too hard to prevent the filling from oozing out.
- Shape the Ring Base: Place a small round bowl in the center of the prepared baking tray. Arrange half of the filled cones around the bowl, pointing their narrow ends towards the bowl to form the base layer of the ring.
- Add Cheese Layer: Sprinkle half of the combined shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese (total ¼ cup cheddar and ¼ cup mozzarella) evenly over the base layer of cones.
- Add Second Layer: Arrange the remaining cones on top of the base layer to create a second tier. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on top. Remove the bowl carefully.
- Prepare for Baking: Spray the edges of the tortillas with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil to help them crisp up during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking tray on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and the edges of the tortillas turn crispy and golden brown.
- Garnish and Serve: Carefully transfer the quesadilla ring to a serving platter. Optionally, garnish with the thinly sliced green onions. Fill a small bowl with salsa and place it in the center of the ring. Serve additional bowls of sour cream and guacamole alongside for dipping. Enjoy this delightful appetizer warm!
Notes
- For a healthier option, use whole wheat tortillas or low-fat cheese varieties.
- Feel free to customize the filling by adding black beans, corn, or jalapeños for extra flavor and texture.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time; assemble the ring and refrigerate it, then bake just before serving.
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- Adjust taco seasoning quantity to taste based on your preferred spice level.
