Black Bean, Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas

I cannot count how many times I have made this. The ingredients I always "seem" to have on hand and it always sounds good to me. Luckily, Paul likes this too! The proportions can be changed to fit whatever you have at the time, so I'll just post a basic recipe--but remember there is nothing really set in stone.

2 chicken breasts, cooked or grilled, then shredded or diced
1 t. garlic
1 T. cumin(or fuego spice mix)
2 T. olive oil
1 sweet onion, diced well
1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 c. salsa
1 small bunch cilantro, chopped chopped chopped!
2 c. shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese
larger sized tortillas
sour cream, salsa, guacamole, lettuce, ketchup

So here's how it goes. You cook your chicken breasts however you like. I do mine on our George Foreman and then shred them up really well. I sometimes rub mine with the fuego spice mix or toss is salt & pepper, or chili powder. Whatever you are in the mood for. Set chicken aside.

Put oil in saute pan, heat up with garlic, cumin on medium high heat. Add in onions, then black beans after a few minutes. Turn down to medium, if beans are looking dried out then add a little bit more oil. Add in salsa after about 15 minutes, to the consistency you like. Throw in as much cilantro as you like. I throw in a ton, however some people don't care for this as much as I do(my husband). Simmer on low until it is warmed through.

You can add the chicken into the bean mixture now or wait until you assemble it all together.

Now, at this point you can really be creative if you like. Lay out your tortilla, put a scoop of bean mixture on and spread it on half the tortilla. Add chicken and generous amount of cheese. (If you have extra rice in the fridge you can turn it into cilantro-lime rice or just use it plain and throw it in the tortilla too!)

Oil a new pan and cook each side over medium heat for about 4-6 minutes. You can usually fit two halves in the pan at once. Once they are nice and crispy or lightly toasted, again--however you like, remove from pan.

Serve immediately. Top with sour cream, salsa, more cheese if you like You can also chop up lettuce or tomatoes. You can use guacamole or olives. Some people even like this with just ketchup or ranch dressing on.

Enjoy! I hope you like it too!