Description
The Blooming Quesadilla Ring is a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring flaky, rolled tortillas filled with a spicy buffalo chicken mixture and melted cheese. Baked to golden perfection, this ring of savory cones is both visually stunning and delicious, perfect for game days or parties. Served with ranch dressing for dipping, it offers a flavorful twist on classic quesadillas in a fun, shareable format.
Ingredients
Scale
Buffalo Chicken Filling
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup Buffalo sauce
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheese Mixture
- 3 cups shredded cheddar (about 8 oz.)
- 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack (about 8 oz.)
Tortillas and Serving
- 24 small flour tortillas
- Ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Filling: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, Buffalo sauce, and thinly sliced scallions. Season this mixture generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then mix until well combined.
- Assemble the Rolled Tortillas: In a medium bowl, mix together the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Cut each tortilla in half. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle about one tablespoon of the cheese mixture, then place about one tablespoon of the chicken mixture in the center. Starting at the cut edge, fold the bottom quarter of the tortilla up into a triangle, then continue rolling it tightly into a cone shape. Repeat with all tortillas, reserving some cheese mixture for topping.
- Form the Quesadilla Ring: Place a 3-inch-wide cup or bowl in the center of the prepared baking sheet to act as a guide. Arrange the tapered end of each rolled tortilla against the cup, creating a ring by lining up the tortillas side by side. Sprinkle some of the remaining cheese mixture over the top, then add two more layers of rolled tortillas on top, sprinkling cheese after each layer for extra cheesiness. Carefully remove the cup from the center once the ring is assembled.
- Bake Until Melty and Warm: Bake the quesadilla ring in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is thoroughly melted, the filling is heated through, and the tortillas are slightly golden and crisp on the edges.
- Prepare to Serve: Pour ranch dressing into a 3-inch ramekin or small bowl and place it in the center of the quesadilla ring for dipping. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken from a rotisserie or leftover roasted chicken to save preparation time.
- Adjust the amount of Buffalo sauce to make it milder or spicier according to preference.
- For a crispier texture, you may lightly brush the rolled tortillas with melted butter before baking.
- If preferred, substitute ranch dressing with blue cheese dressing for a classic Buffalo chicken pairing.
- The ring can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate, based on 12 servings per recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
