Craving something cheesy with a bold twist? These KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) Quesadillas are the perfect fusion of spicy, savory, and satisfying. With tender shredded chicken coated in a sweet and tangy Korean sauce, gooey melted cheese, and a side of homemade ranch for dipping, this recipe takes quesadillas to a whole new level. The best part? It’s easy to make and will satisfy your taste buds in no time. Let’s dive into the recipe!
Ingredients (Makes 4 Quesadillas)
- 12 oz shredded chicken (3 oz per quesadilla)
- Sliced green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
- 4 flour tortillas
- Freshly grated cheese (I recommend cheddar and pepper jack, but feel free to use your favorite cheeses)
- 2 tbsp butter (for cooking)
Korean Chicken Sauce
- ½ cup gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 6 tbsp ketchup
- 4 tbsp mirin
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 4 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 8 cloves of garlic, grated
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
Homemade Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Freshly chopped dill, chives, and parsley
- Freshly grated garlic
- Onion powder (to taste)
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Ranch Dressing
Start by making the homemade ranch. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayo, sour cream, freshly chopped herbs (dill, chives, parsley), and garlic. Add a sprinkle of onion powder for extra flavor. Slowly stir in the buttermilk until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pop it in the fridge to chill until you're ready to serve.
Step 2: Prepare the Korean Chicken Sauce
In a small sauce pot, combine the gochujang, ketchup, mirin, soy sauce, honey, and brown sugar. Whisk the mixture over medium heat until the sugar melts and it starts to simmer gently, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the grated garlic and rice vinegar. This gives the sauce a final punch of flavor.
Step 3: Toss the Chicken
In a mixing bowl, add your shredded chicken, sliced green onions, and toasted sesame seeds. Pour the warm Korean sauce over the chicken and toss until everything is evenly coated. This is where the magic happens — the flavors will start to infuse into the chicken, making it juicy and flavorful.
Step 4: Assemble and Cook the Quesadillas
Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt a little butter. Place one flour tortilla in the pan and sprinkle a layer of cheese on half of the tortilla. Add ¼ of your Korean chicken mixture, followed by another layer of cheese. Fold the tortilla in half and cook until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is melted. Flip the quesadilla and cook the other side until crispy and golden. Repeat the process for the remaining quesadillas.
If your pan is big enough, you can cook two quesadillas at a time!
Step 5: Slice, Dip, and Enjoy!
Once the quesadillas are done, cut each one into four pieces. Serve with your chilled homemade ranch for dipping, and get ready to enjoy the spicy, cheesy goodness.
These KFC Quesadillas are the ultimate comfort food with a delicious Korean twist. The combination of gochujang, soy sauce, and honey creates a sauce that’s sweet, tangy, and spicy, while the melted cheese and crispy tortilla provide that satisfying crunch. Dip it all in the creamy homemade ranch, and you’ve got yourself a winning meal!