Description
This Blooming Quesadilla Ring is a festive and crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring shredded chicken, creamy buffalo sauce, and a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses wrapped in small flour tortillas. Baked to melty perfection and served with ranch dressing, it’s perfect for parties or game day gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 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 cheese (about 8 oz.)
- 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 8 oz.)
Other
- 24 small flour tortillas
- Ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Mix Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, Buffalo sauce, and thinly sliced scallions. Season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Assemble Tortilla Cones: In a separate medium bowl, mix together the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Cut each small flour tortilla in half. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture onto one half of a tortilla, then add approximately 1 tablespoon of the chicken mixture in the center. Starting from the cut edge, fold the bottom quarter of the tortilla up into a triangle and continue rolling into a cone shape. Repeat this process for all tortillas, using remaining cheese and chicken mixtures, reserving some cheese for topping.
- Arrange Tortilla Cones into a Ring: Place a 3-inch-wide cup or bowl in the center of the prepared baking sheet. Arrange the rolled tortillas standing upright in a circular pattern around the cup with the pointed end against it, forming a ring shape. Once the first layer is complete, sprinkle a portion of the reserved cheese mixture over the tortillas. Repeat layering to create two more layers, each followed by a sprinkle of cheese. Carefully remove the cup from the center after the ring is assembled.
- Bake the Quesadilla Ring: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the centers of the tortillas are heated through.
- Serve with Ranch Dressing: Pour ranch dressing into a small 3-inch ramekin and place it in the center of the quesadilla ring for dipping. Serve immediately to enjoy warm, cheesy bites.
Notes
- For extra heat, add more Buffalo sauce or sprinkle some cayenne pepper in the chicken mixture.
- Use gluten-free tortillas to make this recipe gluten-free if needed.
- Prepare the filling a day ahead for easier assembly on the day of serving.
- Substitute ranch dressing with blue cheese dressing for a classic buffalo wing flavor pairing.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximate)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
