Tandoori Chicken Quesadilla (Print Version)

Tender tandoori-spiced chicken with creamy yogurt sauce and melted cheese in a crispy tortilla wrap.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tandoori Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
02 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
03 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1-inch piece ginger, grated
06 - 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1 tsp garam masala
10 - 1/2 tsp turmeric
11 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1 tbsp vegetable oil

→ Yogurt Sauce

14 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
15 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
16 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
17 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
18 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Quesadilla

19 - 4 large flour tortillas
20 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
21 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
22 - 1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced
23 - Butter or oil, for greasing pan

# How To Make:

01 - Combine yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne, and salt in a bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from heat.
03 - Whisk together yogurt, cilantro, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
04 - Place a tortilla on a flat surface. Spread 1/4 of the shredded cheese over half the tortilla, then layer with 1/4 of the cooked chicken, red onion, and bell pepper. Drizzle lightly with yogurt sauce. Fold tortilla in half. Repeat for remaining tortillas.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil. Cook each quesadilla for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Slice quesadillas into wedges and serve immediately with extra yogurt sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can satisfy a fusion craving without planning ahead.
  • The tandoori marinade makes the chicken so flavorful and juicy that you'll forget you're using simple pantry spices.
  • It's the kind of dish that feels special enough for impressing someone but casual enough for a weeknight dinner.
02 -
  • The marinating time is non-negotiable if you want tender, flavorful chicken; even 15 minutes makes a real difference compared to throwing raw chicken straight into the pan.
  • Don't overstuff the quesadillas or the filling will squeeze out the sides and the tortilla won't cook evenly; it's better to have two slightly less full quesadillas than one bursting one.
  • Medium heat for cooking the quesadillas is crucial because high heat will burn the tortilla before the cheese melts, leaving you with a crunchy shell and cold cheese inside.
03 -
  • Slice your chicken breast lengthwise into thin strips before marinating; this cuts down cooking time and helps the marinade penetrate more effectively.
  • If you're making these for a crowd, you can assemble them ahead and keep them in the fridge on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then cook them fresh when guests arrive.
  • The yogurt sauce can be made up to a day ahead, which means you can prep most of this dish in advance for a stress-free dinner.
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