Pesto Chicken Quesadillas

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Pesto Chicken Quesadillas

January 9, 2011 by Liz @ Blog is the New Black

Hey, guys!

I’ve got a mile-long “to-do” list, as always, but I wanted to leave you with a fun, easy, and healthy recipe to start the week! This recipe came to me on a whim, when I wanted to use up some leftover pesto. Voila!

Pesto Chicken Quesadillas

Print this recipe!

Ingredients

boneless skinless chicken breasts
basil pesto (I used this recipe)
sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 boneless skinless chicken breast
2 tortilla per quesadilla
shredded mozzarella cheese
parmesan cheese, if desired

**Note: I didn’t specify amounts here because it’s all preference!**

Directions

Smother breasts with basil pesto mixture. Let sit overnight, or at least 2 hours. (I used pesto that I made in September and froze. You can obviously use pre-made.)
Let’s clarify. Smother CHICKEN breasts with pesto.
Cook chicken breasts however you please: grill, bake, etc. Once cooked, shred or chop into small pieces.
Spread one side of one quesadilla with pesto. Add cheese, chicken, tomatoes, and then top with more cheese.
Place ‘dilla on griddler or sauté in pan. Top with other quesadilla.
Cook until browned on the outside and melty on the inside.

If you love pesto, this recipe is for you.

If you don’t love pesto, this recipe is still for you.

Lloyd claims to “not really like pesto".”

Lloyd claimed to really like these ‘dillas.

This is a unique twist on the traditional quesadilla. It’s hard to resist anything that is squished between cheese and bread! The fresh taste of pesto will make your taste buds dance. The sun-dried tomatoes are chewy and jazz up the flavor of the dish. The melty cheese speaks for itself. Put them together and you have yourself a pretty healthy dinner or appetizer!

To make these even healthier, I used La Tortilla factory whole wheat tortillas, which have under 100 cals per tortilla. (These are my favorite brand.) The cheese I used on mine was reduced fat. Lloyd’s had the full-fat cheese. (Home boy could use some meat on his bones!) Typicallu reduced-fat or fat-free cheese doesn’t melt as nicely as the full-fat versions, but since I used my Cuisinart Griddler, getting the cheese to melt was a cinch. To boot, these were rather filling.

Time to check some things off that list! See ya!

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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged chicken, healthy, mozzarella, parmesan, pesto, quesadilla, sun-dried tomatoes | 41 Comments

41 Responses

on January 9, 2011 at 4:20 PM | Reply simplyshaka

Nice combination! I’ve been jonesing a pesto panini lately but never would have thought to make a pesto chicken quesadilla. I love all kinda of quesadillas–thanks for sharing!!
- on January 9, 2011 at 9:09 PM | Reply Liz @ Blog is the New Black
  
  I love quesadillas, too! They taste so indulgent, but they can be really healthy if you make them the right way!
on January 9, 2011 at 4:21 PM | Reply TheSceneFromMe

Ahhhhh “to-do” lists! Mine is way too long to get done in this day too. So I put a meal in a crock pot and let it cook itself!
I would so eat one of your dillas right now if I could. I love pesto and the sundried tomatoes would add that extra zip to them that I need!
- on January 9, 2011 at 9:09 PM | Reply Liz @ Blog is the New Black
  
  I know, I debated adding sliced tomatoes, but decided to do the sd. Glad I did!
on January 9, 2011 at 4:24 PM | Reply Di @ http://thetreadmilldiaries.com/

I love the griddler by Cuisinart. It’s perfect for quesadillas and panini.
on January 9, 2011 at 4:29 PM | Reply Holly at Greek Yogurt and Apple Slices

These look awesome & a PERFECT week night meal! I always claimed to ‘not really like pesto’ either. I wouldn’t eat it for YEARS. I think it was the specific kind that my Mom would buy, it was disgusting. But THEN I discovered basil pesto…and that was it. Done. Pesto is now one of my favorites
Hope you’re having a good weekend & you’re getting all your to-dos done
- on January 9, 2011 at 9:10 PM | Reply Liz @ Blog is the New Black
  
  I LOVE pesto! I used Ina Garten’s recipe and froze some months ago. I wanted to clean out the freezer and had this pesto… done!
on January 9, 2011 at 4:33 PM | Reply emma

Yummy! I think I’ll make some veggie quesadillas tomorrow! Can’t beat em! xx
on January 9, 2011 at 4:42 PM | Reply Evan Thomas

Basil pesto and sundried tomatoes with chicken sounds like heaven. I’ve been pouring soy sauce on everything lately. I need to get in touch with my Italian roots.
on January 9, 2011 at 4:51 PM | Reply Steph@PlainChicken

YUM!!! I’ll be making this.
on January 9, 2011 at 4:56 PM | Reply tiffany

I love it! It’s like a caprese salad meets a quesadilla!
- on January 9, 2011 at 9:11 PM | Reply Liz @ Blog is the New Black
  
  Precisely!!! I think I’ll try it with buffalo mozz, tomato, and basil…
on January 9, 2011 at 5:14 PM | Reply kristisn

Ohhh… yum. Chicken pesto quesadillas… sounds delicious.
on January 9, 2011 at 5:20 PM | Reply janetha @ meals and moves

you could put pesto on a rubber boot and i would eat it.

okay, maybe not.. but this looks great!
on January 9, 2011 at 5:23 PM | Reply Kate @ Diethood.com

I’m not a pesto fan, but this sounds really good! I may have to change my mind about pesto… thank you for sharing.
on January 9, 2011 at 5:56 PM | Reply Belinda @zomppa

Ooo loving the addition of the basil pesto. Cheese, melted cheese, is a beautiful thing.
on January 9, 2011 at 6:19 PM | Reply Michelle

I agree that it is hard to resist anything squished between cheese and bread!
on January 9, 2011 at 7:12 PM | Reply kitchenarian

I love every ingredient in this recipe. I have made chicken pesto panini sandwiches, but this is much better for you.
Great recipe!
- on January 9, 2011 at 9:11 PM | Reply Liz @ Blog is the New Black
  
  I just made some healthy modifications… but Lloyd’s prob tasted better with the “real” cheese!
on January 9, 2011 at 7:14 PM | Reply Liz

Great use for the pesto in my freezer…will be making quesadillas soon!
on January 9, 2011 at 7:18 PM | Reply Amy Bakes Everything

I have a jar of pesto in my pantry that is getting used tomorrow…on quesadillas! Thanks for sharing, this is perfect!
on January 9, 2011 at 8:07 PM | Reply KeepItSweet

I am also a big fan of La Tortilla tortillas:-) These look delish!
on January 9, 2011 at 8:11 PM | Reply Angela

Another great use for my panini pan. I love the sun-dried tomato, chicken and pesto combination. You could even cut your quesadillas into smaller wedges and serve them as appetizers.
- on January 9, 2011 at 9:12 PM | Reply Liz @ Blog is the New Black
  
  Def would make a tasty, quick app! I couldn’t think of anything for dipping, although they didn’t neccessarily need it…
on January 9, 2011 at 8:44 PM | Reply Kita

I got the nod from the BF to try this! The chicken and pesto look super yummy.
- on January 9, 2011 at 9:12 PM | Reply Liz @ Blog is the New Black
  
  Let me know how they come out!
on January 9, 2011 at 8:49 PM | Reply Baking Serendipity

I really like this twist on quesadillas! Looks delicious Hope you had a great weekend!
on January 9, 2011 at 9:08 PM | Reply Tracy

Looks great! I definitely want to give it a try!
on January 9, 2011 at 11:20 PM | Reply Cornelius the Pig

mmm what a great easy idea! really great new idea for a weeknight lunch (i always end up eating hot dogs or soup).
on January 9, 2011 at 11:46 PM | Reply Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

LOOOOOOOVE IT!!!!! pesto makes everything awesome
on January 10, 2011 at 12:00 AM | Reply andionthego

yum … I love pesto. these quesadillas look positively awesome.

also, I really like step #2. because it made me giggle. :p
on January 10, 2011 at 1:55 AM | Reply Jessica

Pesto is the best! Great idea to add it in quesadillas – looks sooo delicious.
on January 10, 2011 at 9:31 AM | Reply Kori

Sounds great! Quesadillas are a good go-to meal when we’re short on time, so it’s fun to have a new idea. Thanks!
on January 10, 2011 at 1:24 PM | Reply Fran {The Flavorful Fork}

Can’t have too much pesto or cheese in my book! This looks super simple and delicious. Thanks!
on January 10, 2011 at 4:28 PM | Reply Aimee

I am almost afraid to admit that I have never had pesto before, but this recipe is making me crave it (if that makes sense)!! Looks delicious!
on January 10, 2011 at 5:00 PM | Reply Kim-Liv Life

What a wonderful idea! Things that I usually have on hand and easy to put together. This will be popular.
on January 10, 2011 at 5:13 PM | Reply Alexis @ There She Goes

This looks SO GOOD. I have wilty basil in my fridge that could easily be turned into some pesto tonight…
on January 10, 2011 at 6:19 PM | Reply Christina

Yum! What a great use for left over pesto!
on January 12, 2011 at 8:42 AM | Reply vanessa

I make one with chicken soaked in hot sauce, pineapple, and bleu cheese…. sooo so yummy!
on January 15, 2011 at 2:28 PM | Reply The Mom Chef

I love quesadillas because the options are so endless. What a great combination of flavors in this creation. Many thanks for sharing the recipe.
on February 3, 2011 at 9:04 PM | Reply Lauren

Mmm…I love ‘dillas, pesto and chicken – can’t wait to try these!