Smoky Chicken Pineapple Quesadillas with Fresh Pico de Gallo

If you love the magic of sweet and savory together, these quesadillas are about to become your new favorite. Juicy chicken strips are seasoned with a smoky Southwest spice blend, then paired with caramelized pineapple and bell peppers. All that goodness is tucked into crispy flour tortillas with melted mozzarella.

A bright pico de gallo made with tomato, cilantro, and lime adds a fresh finish. Serve with a dollop of sour cream for a meal that’s as satisfying as it is simple. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a casual dinner with friends.

Log in to save recipes and build weekly shopping lists.

Ingredients

1 unit Red OnionView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Green Bell PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce PineappleView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Roma TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.25 ounce CilantroView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit LimeView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

10 ounce Chicken Breast StripsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Southwest Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 unit Flour TortillasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 cup Mozzarella CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 teaspoon Vegetable OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Salt to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Pepper to tasteView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Preheat broiler to high or oven to 500°F. Halve, peel, and thinly slice the red onion. Mince a few slices until you have 2 tablespoons, then set aside in a small bowl. Core, seed, and thinly slice the green bell pepper. Drain the pineapple.
2. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onion and bell pepper. Cook, tossing, until softened, 4–5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the pineapple and cook, tossing, until lightly browned, 2–3 minutes. Season again. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, core, seed, and dice the Roma tomato. Chop the cilantro. Halve the lime. In the bowl with the minced onion, combine the tomato, half the cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside as pico de gallo.
4. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. Add a drizzle of oil and the Southwest spice blend to the same pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, tossing, until no longer pink in the center, 3–4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Return the cooked vegetables to the pan along with a squeeze of lime and the remaining cilantro. Toss to combine, then remove from heat.
5. Rub one side of each tortilla with a drizzle of oil. Place both tortillas oiled-side down on a baking sheet. Sprinkle half the mozzarella evenly over the tortillas. Divide the chicken-veggie filling between them, then top with the remaining mozzarella. Fold each tortilla in half to form two quesadillas.
6. Broil or bake until the tops are golden brown, 1–2 minutes. Flip carefully and broil the other side until golden, another 1–2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning. Cut into wedges and serve with the pico de gallo and sour cream on the side.

Useful Cookware

A few helpful kitchen tools for this recipe, with relevant Amazon picks for each item.

Small bowl

Kaytee Stoneware Ceramic Pet Hamster Bowl, Brown, 3-InchView on AmazonDipping Bowls, Soy Sauce Dish Ceramic, 3 OZ Small Serving Bowls for Side Dishes Vintage Blue Stylish Design, Set of 6 Mini Appetizer Plates for Condiment Sushi Ketchup BBQ Party, 4 InchView on AmazonFarielyn-X 3.5in 4oz Small Glass Bowls, Mini Glass Containers, Ramekins, Prep, Pinch Bowl, Stackable Condiment Containers, for Prep, Dips, Nuts, Snacks, Candy Meal Prep Bowls, Dessert BowlsView on Amazon

Strainer

Cuisinart, Mesh Strainers, Stainless Steel Mesh Strainers for Kitchen, Fine Mesh Kitchen Strainer Set for Sifting, Straining and Cooking, Ctg-00-3Ms, 3 CountView on Amazon3Pcs Super Wire Extra Fine Mesh Strainer with Handle, Small Medium Large Size Sifter Metal Strainer Set, Stainless Steel Sieve Fine Mesh Strainers for Kitchen Rice Juice Quinoa Food Flour Baking YLYLView on AmazonWinco Strainer with Single Fine Mesh, 8-Inch Diameter, Medium, Stainless Steel, Tan,SilverView on Amazon

Large pan

SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet with Lid, 12 Inch Large Deep Frying Pan, 5 Qt Non Stick Saute Pan with Cover, Induction Pan, Healthy Non Toxic Cooking Pan with Helper Handle, PFOA PFOS FreeView on AmazonFarberware Dishwasher Safe Nonstick Jumbo Cooker Chef's Pan with Lid and Helper Handle, Kitchen Cookware, 6-Quart, BlackView on AmazonSNOWCLAD Frying Pans Nonstick with Lid,Hybrid Non Stick 5 Quart Saute pan,PFOA Free Cookware,Stainless Steel skillet,12 inch Deep Saute Pan,Dishwasher&Oven Safe,Works on All CooktopsView on Amazon

Paper towel

Scott Paper Towels, Choose-A-Sheet, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls (108 Sheets Per Roll)View on AmazonBounty Quick-Size Paper Towels, White, 8 Family Triple Rolls = 27 Regular RollsView on AmazonAmazon Basics 2-Ply Flex-Sheets Paper Towels, 12 Basics Rolls = 40 Regular Rolls, Everyday Value with 150 Sheets per Roll, Packaging May VaryView on Amazon

Baking sheet

GoodCook Everyday Nonstick Baking Sheet Set, 3 Pack Includes Small (13×9) Medium (15×1) and Large (17×11) Pans Carbon Steel Construction Cookie Sheets Bakeware Set, GrayView on AmazonNutriChef 3-Piece Nonstick Kitchen Oven Baking Pans - Premium & Stylish Non-Stick Steel, Commercial Grade Restaurant Quality Metal Bakeware with Red Silicone Handles - Easy to Clean, NCSBS3SView on AmazonNordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet - USA Made Aluminum Commercial Quality Sheet Pan for Baking or Roasting, Encapsulated Galvanized Steel Rim Prevents Warping, 2-PackView on Amazon

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use canned pineapple?

Yes, canned pineapple works perfectly. Just drain it well before adding to the pan.

What can I substitute for Southwest spice blend?

Mix 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, and a pinch of cayenne.

Can I make these quesadillas ahead?

You can prep the filling and pico in advance. Assemble and broil just before serving for best texture.