Chicken Quesadillas with a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Hi, my name is Bev and I’m a disclaimer queen.

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So before we go any further, I gotsta ‘splain something.

Did you know that babies cry when they’re hungry? They do. They cry when they’re hungry. They cry very, very loud when they’re hungry. Sounds like Hurricane Infant.

Ya know, a simple, “Mother Dear, fairest of them all, loveliest in the land, love of my life, wheeeeen you get a moment I could go for a steak. Or a bottle. Whatever you grab first. P.S. Those new shorts look darling on you. Can’t even tell you had us. No, for real.”

Seriously, how hard is that, BABIES?

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So guess what happens when you start dinner a few minutes too late because you’re re-watching Parenthood from the beginning and Crosby and GABY oooooo REMEMBER? So bad. So good. She’s stunning, ya know. And her voice is like a tiny, delicate feather from a baby robin’s wing gently floating in the moonlight breeze.

What was I saying?

Oh, so I started dinner too late. Didn’t time it right. Won the Failtown USA pageant. Got all the prep work cooked and shot, started to arrange my quesadillas on my little cutting board, got the tripod positioned just right, R.E.M. at just the right volume, and theeeeeeeeeere they go.

Wail. Wail. Wail.

I look at the clock. How is it already 6?! How are they already hungry? How am I going to do this? How do these shorts really look on me because I gotta say, I’m diggin’ the leng- okay.

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So basically, pardon the craptastic photos.

If my ad revenue takes a dive I’M LOOKING AT YOU, WILL AND NATALIE.

That very first photo up there? Not even styled. It’s like, falling over. White balance off. There’s no cilantro on top. No creamy chunks of avocado piled here and there, no lime wedges scattered about. Nerthrin’. But I needed you to see the insides of the quesadillas that are going to rock your whole face off to the ground.

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Roasted red peppers blended with fresh cilantro. Yeah.

Sautéed corn, jalapenos and radishes. Double yeah.

Seasoned and seared chicken THIGHS (like Gaby’s? Too far, Bev.) all shredded like a freaking triple yeah.

All shoved into tortillas and pan-seared like a freaking boss. Gaby’s boss? Just kidding.

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MAKEANDEATTHIS.

Chicken Quesadillas with a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:

What it took for 4:

* 1 tsp each: cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, smoked paprika, pinch of salt and pepper
* 1 pound chicken thighs, trimmed of any excess fat
* 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* 2 red bell peppers
* 1 cup loosely-packed fresh cilantro
* 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
* 1 Tbs. butter
* 2 ears corn, kernels removed
* 1 large jalapeno, seeded and sliced (leave in the seeds for more heat)
* 2 radishes, thinly sliced
* pinch of salt and pepper
* 1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
* 8 small tortillas (whatever kind is up to you!)

Broil the red bell peppers on a baking sheet until black and charred all over, turning every few minutes. Place peppers in a large sealable plastic bag, seal and let steam for 10 minutes. Remove the peppers from the bag and remove the skins from the peppers. Pull off the stems and seeds as well. It may be hot so you can use a paper towel if needed.

Place the roasted peppers in a food processor along with the cilantro, a pinch of salt and pepper. Pulse to combine.

Combine all the spices in a small bowl and toss to mix. Coat both sides of the chicken thighs with the spice mixture.

Heat the oil in a medium pan and place the chicken in it. Sear on both sides until cooked through and browned all over. Remove chicken from pan, let rest 5 minutes, then shred with two forks.

Back in the pan add the remaining oil and butter. Over medium heat, sauté the corn, jalapeno peppers and radishes until slightly browned. Season with salt and pepper.

Spread the roasted red pepper sauce on 4 tortillas. Top with chicken, corn mixture and shredded cheese. Place another tortilla on top, then place the quesadilla in a small hot sauté pan. Sear on both sides until the cheese melts and the tortillas have browned and crisped a little. Continue with remaining quesadillas.

Slice and serve with cilantro, diced avocado and lime wedges.

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Baby screams sold separately.

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39 Responses to Chicken Quesadillas with a Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

  1. Cassie May 8, 2014 at 7:59 am #
    You make me laugh. I totally have a crush on Crosby. And these 'dillas.
  2. Tracy | Peanut Butter and Onion May 8, 2014 at 8:00 am #
    if babies could talk, our lives would be easier and our hearing would be better. I love quesadillas, I'm always looking for new recipes, these look awesome!
  3. Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Healthd May 8, 2014 at 8:13 am #
    these are calling my name
  4. Rachel @thedessertchronicles May 8, 2014 at 8:29 am #
    This looks incredible! Totally forgot about Gaby! Parenthood is the best. Definitely making these for dinner ASAP.
  5. Matt Robinson May 8, 2014 at 9:15 am #
    Bev, these are some of the most amazing quesadillas I have ever seen. Ever. Love them so much!
  6. Jackie May 8, 2014 at 9:29 am #
    I don't know what you are talking about -- these photos are STUNNING and have me hungry for dinner already (and it's only 10:30 AM)! Imintrouble! Yum! Also, I have been thinking of starting Parenthood from the beginning and also MadMen. SO MANY SHOWS, SO LITTLE TIME.
    • Bev Weidner May 8, 2014 at 9:51 am #
      I'm thinking about starting MadMen, too! I've never seen it. Do I need to change my ways?
      • Jackie May 8, 2014 at 11:06 am #
        Yesssss -- well, I think so! I've only seen the first two seasons of MadMen but I watched them a long time ago. I've been tempted to forge ahead to the third season, but I think starting over is the way to go! I'm so excited for these new television watching endeavors (I need to find more hobbies).
  7. cori May 8, 2014 at 9:38 am #
    What kind of tortillas did you use? they look soooo good.
    • Bev Weidner May 8, 2014 at 9:52 am #
      They're actually black bean and flax tortillas from Trader Joe's!
  8. Trisha (Stew or a Story) May 8, 2014 at 10:18 am #
    Before I read your comments about the first photo, my only thought was DANG, those look good. Sometimes all you really need in a good photo is a close up of some melty cheese, chicken and corn. WANT!
  9. Amanda May 8, 2014 at 10:45 am #
    Wow, totally craving this now!
  10. Linda May 8, 2014 at 12:24 pm #
    You crack me up! Love your writing/thinking style. Fun to read and I soooo plan on making this. Maybe even tonight!
  11. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl May 8, 2014 at 12:27 pm #
    If you leave cilantro out of one more photo I'm unsubscribing.
  12. Ashley May 8, 2014 at 6:31 pm #
    Soo good bev!!! I instantly craved these when I seen your post and made them tonight with a couple small modifications. Such an amazing combo of flavours, yumm! Thank you for this wonderful recipe, will be making again :) PS your post is also hilarious and wonderful!
  13. Meredith May 8, 2014 at 7:45 pm #
    Fantastic flavors, must have this soon!
  14. Sues May 8, 2014 at 7:56 pm #
    Oh man, this dinner looks like perfection! omg I need to watch Parenthood from the beginning now!
  15. Annie @Maebells May 9, 2014 at 8:11 am #
    This looks sooo good! I love the roasted red pepper sauce. I think I would eat that on everything!
  16. Tess @ Tips on Healthy Living May 9, 2014 at 4:06 pm #
    I don't know what you're talking about. I love these photos, and your quesadillas look delicious!
  17. Heather Christo May 9, 2014 at 6:44 pm #
    totally freaking amazing Bev!!
  18. Ami@naivecookcooks May 9, 2014 at 7:30 pm #
    These look so so good!
  19. Rachel Cooks May 12, 2014 at 7:36 am #
    Love the addition of radishes! I'm so obsessed with them lately.
  20. Molly @Doughvelopment May 12, 2014 at 10:25 am #
    You're hilarious. Looks fabulous to me, baby screams and all!
  21. Melanie | Melanie Makes May 12, 2014 at 1:10 pm #
    You are too much. Love it. And honestly, after looking at that first photo BEFORE reading anything, I was like, wow, she made those quesadillas look awesome. So there you go. And I'm sure you're rockin' the new shorts as well.
  22. Christina @ The Beautiful Balance May 12, 2014 at 3:25 pm #
    I would die to have your craptastic photos hahaha! Mine do not even come close! Either way, I am loving the looks and sounds of this recipe. Seriously, I want to put roasted red peppers on and in everything!
  23. Carol at Wild Goose Tea May 12, 2014 at 7:12 pm #
    I think your photos look just yummy. So you 'communicated'. I just began eating quesadillas. I love Mexican food, but I just didn't order this selection. After I did, I realized what I had been missing. This recipe is a perfect example. I won't miss out this time!
  24. Kevin @ Closet Cooking May 12, 2014 at 7:58 pm #
    Now those are some tasty quesadillas!
  25. Christine @ Cooking with Cakes May 13, 2014 at 3:00 pm #
    this roasted red pepper sauce + corn combo is FAB - pinned!
  26. Jennie @themessybakerblog May 14, 2014 at 11:28 am #
    The nerve of those wee ones. The photos look good to me, and, even better, so do the 'dillas. Holy yum!
  27. Paula - bell'alimento May 14, 2014 at 12:04 pm #
    I'd like that dang quesadilla !
  28. ATasteOfMadness May 26, 2014 at 11:48 am #
    Haha.. I don't know what I will do when I get kids. My hearing is probably going to suffer :p These quesadillas look divine!
  29. Liz @ Floating Kitchen May 27, 2014 at 9:37 am #
    Whaaat! That first photo is incredible. I want to reach right into the screen and grab it. Looks delicious. Never put radishes in a quesadilla before. Great idea. Can't wait to try it!
  30. natalie March 12, 2019 at 2:38 pm #
    how to print????

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