Get dinner on the table quickly with Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Quesadillas, sure to be a family favorite.
My dinner motto lately – when in doubt, make a quesadilla. It’s one of the fastest and easiest meals you can make when you don’t feel like cooking anything. I almost always have tortillas on hand, so I usually make something up with whatever vegetables and cheese are in the fridge. Then one day I got this brilliant idea to make what is now one of my favorites – Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Quesadillas with a homemade garlic Alfredo sauce. No need for jarred sauce because making one from scratch only takes a few minutes.
Sometimes I’m not sure if quesadillas are supposed to be an appetizer or dinner. I always turn them into dinner, but then restaurants list them as appetizers. Regardless, I love stuffing them with unique fillings. So far I’ve made them with buffalo chicken dip and chicken fajita dip. I wanted to bring the flavors of fettuccine alfredo to a quesadilla because I get tired of making pasta all the time. Usually I make shrimp and broccoli fettuccine, but chicken is a second favorite when I don’t have shrimp on hand.
For the sauce, it’s a classic Alfredo sauce with only butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, but I added garlic to bump up the flavor. I love it super garlicky, but normal human beings may not want to be as assertive. You really do need to use heavy cream, but if all you have is milk, you will either need to add some flour to make a roux or use extra butter to make up for the extra fat content.
Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Quesadillas
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Get dinner on the table quickly with Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Quesadillas, sure to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces and lightly salted
- 1/4 cup chopped onion
- 2 cups chopped fresh broccoli (or frozen broccoli, thawed)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (do not substitute milk)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tortillas ( homemade or store bought)
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the chicken and onion and cook for 3 minutes. Flip and add the broccoli. Cover with a lid and cook for 5-8 minutes or until the broccoli is soft and chicken is fully cooked. Transfer the chicken mixture to a bowl and keep warm.
- In the same skillet (no need to clean), melt the butter, whisking up any brown bits left behind from the chicken. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Cook for about 3-5 minutes or until the sauce thickens a little, whisking often. Whisk in the cheese. Remove from the heat. Stir in the chicken mixture.
- Heat a second skillet large enough to hold a tortilla. Fill half of the tortilla with some of the chicken mixture. Fold the tortilla in half. Cook until brown then flip and cook until brown again. Repeat with the remaining food. Alternatively if your tortillas are small, fill one tortilla with filling then top with another tortilla, making a tortilla sandwich.
cheryl illinois says
Another good sounding dish. I think I will try it. Planning to cook a whole chicken on the grill this weekend and will use part of it to make these.
Carla Cardello says
Oh yes, leftover grilled chicken would be perfect for quesadillas!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
what an awesome idea to do an alfredo quesadillas.. youve combined two of my favourite dishes. love it!
Carla Cardello says
I swear you can turn any meal into a quesadilla ;)
Joanne says
I am always so confused about quesadillas at restaurants as well for exactly that reason! I mean, I always WANT them for my main dish but then I wonder if they’ll be filling enough because they’ve listed them as an appetizer. At home, at least I can always have two! Love your creamy filling for your ‘dilla!
Carla Cardello says
I find that most appetizers, even something like cheese sticks or onion rings, can be my whole meal if I’m not sharing. But then like you said, what if they only give you two quesadillas and you’re left still hungry? At least we can stuff them full at home ;)
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
These sound amazing, Carla! Perfect for dinner tonight, actually :)
Carla Cardello says
Tonight and every night ;)
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I really like this dish. It has my name on it. What a way to eat broccoli, which really isn’t a problem for me, but is a delight. The sauce is what makes it for this dish.
Michele @ alwayzbakin says
Those sound so yummy! Broccoli is my favorite veggie. Love that you paired it up with alfredo. I bet it’s delicious. Can’t wait to try this one.