This quesadilla is an ode to BFF dinners passed. You see, my friend Katie and I used to get a meal like this out on the town now and then. And looking back, I still think fondly on that damn quesadilla, but I feel even more fond of a similar dinner made in my own kitchen. Then, and only then, can I trust what’s happening on these cheesy wedges filled with spinach dip, ya know?
Katie has since moved to California, and I miss the hell out of her! At least I get to visit her next month, ya know? And at least I can revisit one of our fave dinners at home in preparation for our super-fun hangouts to come.
So what it comes down to is this:
1. Putting spinach dip on a quesadilla is totes a good idea.
2. BFFs moving far away sure isn’t easy!
Spinach & Chicken Quesadilla (serves 4)
Adapted from a dinner memory
chicken –
- 2 large or 4 small chicken breasts
- juice from 2 lemons
- 2 cloves of garlic, pressed
- 1 glug olive oil
- salt
- pepper
spinach dip –
- 1 T extra virgin olive oil
- heaping 3 cups baby spinach, coarsely chopped
- 2 large cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 3 oz. goat cheese
- scant 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 4 T fresh shredded parmesan cheese
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- a hefty pinch of kosher salt
- a generous sprinkle of ground pepper
extras –
- 4 (8″) tortillas
- 2 avocados, halved and sliced
- munster, provolone or mozzarella
- hot sauce, to serve
- chives, to serve
Directions:
- Prepare chicken. Transfer chicken to a large zip-top bag. Add the lemon, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper and marinate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile heat a grill pan. Grill chicken, transfer to a clean surface to rest for 5 minutes. Slice into strips.
- Make spinach dip. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat with garlic. Cook and stir spinach until wilted, about 3 minutes.
- Sir together the goat cheese, Greek yogurt, cooked spinach mixture, parmesan cheese, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Mix until combined. Set aside.
- Assemble quesadillas. Divide spinach dip, chicken, avocado, and additional cheese between all the tortillas. Heat a large skillet, and spray with cooking spray. Cook quesadillas until the outside is crispy and the inside is melty. Serve with additional Greek yogurt, hot sauce, and green chives if you want!
Yay! Click HERE for a printable pdf of the recipe above.
Wilt that spinach in your mismatched socks, yo.
Spinach dip in a Quesadilla sounds like the best thing ever!! Simple meals are always the best!
True that, Tieghan!
living far away from BFF’s is tough stuff…good thing there are spinach dip filled quesadillas in this world…and cute dollops of sour cream splashed with cholula!amen!
Quesadillas are the answer!
i was out on this until i saw that the spinach dip has goat cheese + greek yogurt instead of mayo + mozzarella. YUM! what part of cali are you going to?
Sheit, girl. I’m kinda scurred of mayo generally. Thanks for sneaking a peek and giving it a chance! <3
Oh! And San Francisco!
I had a BFF recently move to Seattle. It is definitely not fun. But visits to other states are awesome and so are these quesadillas!
True that! The traveling cup is half full!
These look ridiculously delicious and easy! Definitely doing it this weekend (perfect for a lazy Friday night supper)!
And I totally know how you feel about the BFF thing… Mine joined the Peace Corps and is now in Africa! :O While we try to keep in touch (she has Internet access once a month!!), it’s hard not being able to see her, and I also can’t help freaking out over her safety, you know?
I hope you do! This is one of my fave quesadillas currently.
Oh man! It’d be even harder having a friend somewhere where you can’t communicate often. Best of luck to your BFF too!
Spinach dip on a quesadilla? I’m definitely a fan of this situation. Plus, if it helps me eat more greens, I’m all in!
Totally! Mo greens no problems!
I want to put spinach dip on everything right now (probs the hunger talking) and this quesadilla needs to get in my belly ASAP. Brilliant.
YES. I bet you’d like this so much! Can’t go wrong with cheesy goodness and carbs. 🙂
Love this! love spinach… love quesadillas
Thanks, Tracy!
Do all things in mismatched socks. 🙂
Wilting spinach and putting it quesadillas is one of my favorite past times. Making a quick spinach dip to be a quesadilla? YOU ARE SO DARN AMAZING.
I just made this for dinner and it ruled. I swapped chicken for black beans and left out the avocado as I didn’t have any.
I wilt spinach by putting it in a sieve and pouring boiling water over it – it’s much easier to squeeze out the water and it saves a pan.
I just made these last night and they were delicious, and super easy. I had roasted purple cabbage tossed in lemon juice as a side, and winded up using it as a slaw on the quesadillas.
Great idea!
This sounds delicious! Can’t wait to make it! I love that the spinach dip is made with Greek yogurt… yum!
I love this idea!! Doing it for lunch tomorrow!
These quesadillas just changed my life. My stomach can’t thank you enough for this recipe. It’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten!