Hey there, foodies! If you’re like me, sometimes you’re craving that warm, cheesy, and flavorful comfort food but want to make it at home, a bit lighter, and way more affordable. These Chicken Tikka Quesadillas are absolutely incredible! Imagine all the spicy, aromatic flavors of a classic chicken tikka, wrapped up in a crispy, melty quesadilla. This dish is perfect for those days when you want something comforting but without the extra calories and cost of takeout. Plus, it’s so simple to make! Let’s dive into the details of this tasty recipe.
Method
Marinate the Chicken
Start by preparing the chicken for its flavorful journey. In a mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken breast with the Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, tomato purée, and tikka curry powder. Stir everything together so the chicken is evenly coated. You can let this marinate for about 15-20 minutes, but if you’ve got some extra time, you can leave it in the fridge for a few hours to let the flavors really develop and soak into the chicken.
Cook the Chicken
Once your chicken is marinated, it’s time to cook. Heat a little oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the garlic paste, chopped spring onions, and halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Sauté them for a few minutes until they soften and release their delicious aroma. Next, add the marinated chicken to the pan, making sure it gets browned on all sides and cooked all the way through. Stir occasionally to prevent any sticking and ensure an even cook.
Simmer with Passata
Once the chicken is fully cooked, pour in the passata (tomato puree) and stir everything together. Let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes. This step allows all the flavors to meld together and creates a delicious, saucy filling that will be the star of your quesadilla. Don’t rush this step the longer it simmers, the more intense the flavors will become!
Prepare the Wraps
While the chicken is simmering, take your wraps and dip the outside edges into the sauce in the pan. This will create a crispy, flavorful crust when you cook the wraps later. Set the wraps aside and get ready to assemble your quesadillas.
Assemble the Quesadillas
Now it’s time to assemble the quesadillas! Lay the wraps flat and spoon a generous amount of the chicken mixture onto each one. Sprinkle 25g of mozzarella over the chicken mixture, and feel free to add spinach if you’d like an extra burst of freshness and color. Fold the wraps into halves or quarters, depending on how you prefer them.
Fry Until Crispy
Return the filled wraps to the frying pan. Wipe the pan clean first to avoid any burnt bits from earlier. Fry the quesadillas for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden and crispy. Flip carefully with tongs or a spatula to ensure an even crispiness on both sides.
Cool & Serve
Once your quesadillas are nice and crispy, take them out of the pan and let them cool for a minute or two. This will help the cheese set and prevent you from burning your mouth when you bite into them! Slice them up into wedges, and they’re ready to serve and enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Frying pan
- Knife and chopping board
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Grater (for the cheese if needed)
- Tongs or spatula
- Plates for serving
Chicken Tikka Quesadillas A Flavorful Twist on Takeout
Cuisine: Mexican, AmericanDifficulty: Easy2
servings15
minutes20
minutes35
minutesIngredients
300g chicken breast, diced
120g 0% fat Greek yogurt
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp tikka curry powder
1 tsp garlic paste
5 spring onions, chopped
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
200g passata
2 wraps
50g mozzarella
Spinach (optional)
Directions
- Marinate the Chicken Start by mixing the raw chicken with the Greek yoghurt, lemon juice, tomato purée, and tikka curry powder in a mixing bowl. Let this marinate for about 15-20 minutes (or longer if you’ve got the time). You can even leave it in the fridge for a few hours if you’re feeling extra fancy.
- Cook the Chicken In a frying pan, heat up a little oil and add the garlic, spring onions, and cherry tomatoes. Once these are softened, add your marinated chicken and cook until it’s fully browned and cooked through.
- Simmer with Passata Now, pour in the passata and let it simmer on low for 5 minutes to let all those flavors meld together into a delicious, saucy filling.
- Prepare the Wraps While the chicken is cooking, dip the outside of your wraps into the sauce (yep, you read that right!). This will help create a crispy golden outside once you cook them.
- Assemble the Quesadillas Once your chicken mix is ready, take the wraps, add a generous portion of the chicken, and top with mozzarella. Feel free to add spinach here if you like a little extra greenery in your quesadilla.
- Fry Until Crispy Fold your wraps up and return them to the pan. Wipe the pan clean first to avoid burnt bits from earlier. Fry the quesadillas for a couple of minutes on each side until they’re golden and crispy.
- Cool & Serve Let the quesadillas cool for a minute before slicing them up. Then, it’s time to dig in and enjoy!
Notes
- Pan Cleanliness When frying the quesadillas, be sure to wipe the pan clean between batches to avoid any leftover burnt bits from the chicken, which could cause a smoky or bitter taste.
- Wrap Thickness Be careful not to overstuff your quesadillas. If you use too much filling, they might become hard to flip and end up a little soggy on the inside.
- Simmer Time Don’t skip the simmer time with the passata. This helps thicken the sauce and intensifies the flavors, so your quesadilla filling doesn’t get too watery.
Serving Suggestions
These Chicken Tikka Quesadillas are delicious on their own, but you can easily serve them with a side of tangy mango chutney, a fresh salad, or even some crunchy fries for a little extra indulgence. They also go great with a cooling yogurt dip or some extra chopped veggies for that fresh crunch!
Fun Fact
Did you know that tikka masala is one of the most popular dishes in the UK? Its rich flavors and creamy texture have made it a staple in many households. Now, you can enjoy it in a whole new, easy-to-make way with these quesadillas!
Conclusion
These Chicken Tikka Quesadillas are the perfect way to satisfy your cravings for takeout without breaking the bank or your diet. The combination of tender chicken, tangy yoghurt, and rich tikka curry wrapped up in a crispy tortilla is absolutely mouthwatering. Plus, they’re so quick to whip up, making them a perfect mid-week dinner or weekend treat. So, the next time you’re craving something delicious and comforting, give these a try you won’t be disappointed!
