Pickle-Brined Chicken Quesadillas (Print Version)

Juicy chicken and melted cheese folded in crisp tortillas, paired with a vibrant homemade dill sauce.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pickle-Brined Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup dill pickle juice
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ Quesadillas

05 - 8 medium flour tortillas
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
09 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
10 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
11 - 1/2 cup sliced pickles

→ Tangy Dill Sauce

12 - 1/2 cup sour cream
13 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
16 - 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickles
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
19 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine chicken breasts with pickle juice, garlic powder, and black pepper in a resealable bag or shallow dish. Seal and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours for increased flavor infusion.
02 - Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Grill or cook in a skillet over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
03 - In a small bowl, mix sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped dill, finely chopped pickles, garlic powder, and onion powder. Season with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate until serving.
04 - Arrange 4 tortillas on a work surface. Distribute sliced chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, red onion, chopped dill, and optional sliced pickles evenly. Cover each with a second tortilla.
05 - Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook each quesadilla for 2 to 3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until tortillas are golden and cheese is fully melted. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into wedges.
06 - Serve quesadilla wedges hot with chilled tangy dill sauce on the side.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses ingredients already in most kitchens like pickles and cheese
  • Fast weeknight dinner that tastes restaurant worthy
  • Customizable for both picky eaters and spice lovers
  • No fancy equipment needed and minimal prep time
02 -
  • Brining makes the chicken extra juicy
  • Dill brings a unique bright flavor you cannot skip
  • This dish is perfect for kids and adults alike
  • Quesadillas freeze beautifully and warm up crisp
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry really well before cooking so you get a golden sear
  • Shred your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for the ultimate melt
  • Spread filling all the way to the edges so every bite is packed with flavor

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