Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas with Pineapple Salsa
2017-05-20 09:40:45
New Mexico has great spicy foods. Since we are the Green Chile Capital of the world (Hatch, New Mexico) I get to try all types of spicy and delicious gourmet foods. One of my absolute favorite dishes is salsa. I like every kind of salsa from fire roasted tomatillo (also known as salsa verde), to salsa pequin (tiny dry roasted chile pequin with fire roasted tomatoes) and one of my abosolute favorites is fresh pineapple salsa loaded with fresh herbs from my garden. I really enjoy gardening too and I have a salsa garden with all types of tomatoes, herbs and onions. It comes in handy if I want to whip up a batch of homemade salsa.
Today however, I was inspired by some great barbecue sauce my husband made for our Fourth of July gathering. And if you like barbecue you will love this recipe. It is loaded with sweet barbecue sauce, caramelized onions, hot roasted chicken and topped with my fresh made tropical pineapple salsa. The flavors work so well together you will think you are in a 5 star restaurant. No kidding. It is that good.
To make it easier I purchased a roasted chicken and cut it into bite size pieces. The barbecue sauce is something I always have on hand at Casa Linda; my husband is from Kansas City. And if you know anything about people from Kansas City, they love their barbecue sauce! I have to say, this not to brag, but my entire family which includes my husband, the world’s pickiest eater and my son and daughter, but they gave it rave reviews. “Mom you blew this out of the park!” and “WOW, impressive, those flavors work really well together.” and finally “Mom, that salsa was so good, I could have eaten an entire bowl full.” Well, after all those wonderful comments, I knew this recipe was a real winner and I just had to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family did!
Bon Appetit, Cecelia
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Barbecue Chicken
- 2 cups Chicken – Roasted Chicken, chopped into bite size pieces
- 1 cup sweet and spicy Barbecue Sauce (Sauce Recipe below)
- 1 cup sliced sweet onion
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 cups Fiesta Cheese Blend
Pineapple Salsa
- 1 ½ cups fresh Pineapple, chopped into small piece
- ½ cup Red Bell Pepper, chopped finely
- ½ cup Sweet Onion, chopped finely
- 1 jalapeno, deseeded and chopped finely
- 1 Tablespoon Cilantro, chopped finely
- 1 Tablespoon Mint, chopped finely
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed Lime Juice
- Pinch of sea salt
Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce
- 3 cups tomato puree
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup honey
- ? cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons onion powder
- 3 teaspoons Tabasco hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch or two of dried red chile flakes
Instructions
- Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas
- Directions: In sauce pan sauté add oil and onion, sauté until onions are caramelized about 3 – 5 minutes, add roasted chicken and barbecue sauce. Allow chicken and sauce to warm thoroughly about 2 minutes. On griddle or large sauté pan over medium heat, build quesadilla starting with tortilla add some cheese, add the barbecue chicken and sprinkle with more cheese, cover with second tortilla and allow to heat about 2 minutes and flip and repeat for second side. Transfer to cutting board and cut into 6 pieces. Serve alongside pineapple salsa.
- Pineapple Salsa
- Directions : In mixing bowl add the pineapple, red bell pepper, sweet onion, jalapeno, cilantro, mint, and fresh lime juice. Mix until well blended.
- Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Sauce
- Directions: to make the sauce pour puree tomatoes in large saucepan. Whisk in sugar, honey, vinegar, molasses, lemon juice, brown sugar, Worcestershire, soy sauce, salt, garlic and onion powders, Tabasco, pepper, chile flakes, cayenne pepper and cloves, and heat over medium-high heat. Cook on medium low heat, stirring, until thickened, about 20 - 30 minutes. Cover and set sauce aside. Sauce can be stored for approximately 2 weeks in refrigerator.
Cecelia's Good Stuff https://ceceliasgoodstuff.com/
BBQ Quesadilla
Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas with Pineapple Salsa | CeceliasGoodStuff.com | Good Food for Good People
Oh, I love a good salsa too. Having pineapple in it, brings out the zing, perfect with chicken.
This recipe looks delicious 🙂
Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday on Smart Party Planning
The pineapple makes this salsa extremely tasty. It goes well with fish, chicken, pork or served with tortilla chips! Thanks Catherine for your comments! Bon Appetit, Cecelia