Bacon, Chicken & Avocado Quesadillas

A few weeks ago I was watching Top Chef and one of the challenges was to make a dish using a food trend that "I wish would go away" according to Dana Cowin (Food & Wine Mag.). While I was in total agreement with the Kale trend, I was horrified to hear her utter the word...BACON! Really? I guess I never really thought of bacon as a "trend". I mean, I didn't just start using bacon, I grew up with bacon. Doesn't everyone love bacon (I mean except vegetarians)? Anyway, since she said this, I subconsciously have been obsessed with bacon. I made bacon wrapped pork tenderloin (recipe will be up soon) and for a lazy dinner I made these super awesome quesadillas.

I found the original recipe HERE

Here's a little trick I have for making quesadillas and also for making panini's and grilled cheeses. I fill a small/medium saucepan with water and place it on top while cooking to press it together so the cheese gets super melty and it will hold together better.

BACON, CHICKEN & AVOCADO QUESADILLAS (PRINT RECIPE)

Ingredients:

· 4 large flour tortillas

· 1.5 lb chicken breast or tenders, cut into small bite size pieces

· ½ teaspoon seasoned salt

· 3 scallions, diced

· 6 strips bacon

· 1 avocado, diced

· 1.5 C Monterey jack shredded cheese (or cheddar)

· 1 T butter

· Lime, salsa, sour cream for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Cook the bacon, place on paper towel to soak up the grease. Let it cool and then crumble it. Keep about 1 teaspoon of bacon drippings in pan.

2. Using the same pan, add chicken. Cook about 5 minutes until cooked through. Season with seasoned salt. Add the scallions and cook an additional 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

3. In a clean skillet add a little butter and melt over medium heat. Add 1 tortilla and move it around a bit to get it all nice and buttery. To ½ of tortilla add cheese, chicken, bacon, avocado and top with more cheese.

4. Flip the empty side of the tortilla over the side with fillings. Pat it down with spatula (or put a heavy pan on top to weight it down) and cook about a minute. Flip it over and cook the other side until nice and golden brown and cheese is melty.

5. Cut with pizza cutter and squeeze a little lime juice over the top for a nice pop of flavor. Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients.