Lime Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients


  • 1 lb. 

    skinless, boneless chicken breasts

  • 4 c. 

    low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1/2 c. 

    fresh lime juice (from about 6 limes)

  • 2 c. 

    fresh cilantro

  • 6 

    garlic cloves, chopped

  • 2 

    jalapeño peppers, sliced

  • 2 tsp. 

    kosher salt

  • 2/3 c. 

    light olive oil

  • 2 c. 

    shredded cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)

  • 2 tbsp. 

    canned chopped green chiles

  • 3 tbsp. 

    salted butter, softened

  • 12 

    small flour tortillas

Description

  1. Put the chicken in a medium saucepan. Add the broth and enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat so that the broth just simmers. Partially cover and cook until a meat thermometer inserted into the chicken reaches 155˚ to 160˚, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
  2. Remove the chicken to a cutting board (discard the broth). Let cool slightly, then shred with 2 forks.
  3. Combine the lime juice, cilantro, garlic, jalapeños and salt in a blender. Pulse to get everything started; then, with the blender running, drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth.
  4. Preheat the oven to 425˚. Combine the chicken in a large bowl with ½ cup of the cilantro sauce, the cheddar and chiles.
  5. Put 1 tablespoon butter on each of 2 baking sheets and put them in the oven. Spread the remaining 1 tablespoon
    butter on 6 tortillas. Divide the chicken mixture among the 6 unbuttered tortillas, spreading it almost to the edges. Top with the buttered tortillas, buttered-side up, and press together.
  6. By now the butter on the baking sheets should be melted. Spread it out with a spatula. Put 3 quesadillas buttered-side up on each baking sheet. Bake until golden brown on the bottom, about 4 minutes. Flip and bake until golden on the other side, about 2 more minutes. Cut the quesadillas into wedges. Serve with the remaining cilantro sauce.