Crispy, cheesy BBQ chicken quesadillas made quick and easy for lunch or dinner. Packed with smoky flavor and melted cheese, this crowd-pleasing recipe belongs in your weekly rotation.
Raise your hand if you love BBQ Chicken! Oh my gosh, I know I do! BBQ sauce in general is just one of my favorite sauces. Seriously, if I’m bored and walking by the fridge I’ll just take a spoonful of BBQ sauce and eat it plain! Am I a weirdo? Please let me know in the comments if you’ve done this before! I know people like to take spoonfuls of peanut butter or Nutella. While I’ll do that maybe once a month or something, I definitely have a stronger savoury palate if you didn’t already know! I love having random licks of sour cream, hummus, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, hot sauce… What can I say? Though to be fair, if there’s any new sauce or condiment, sweet or salty, I’ll eat it! I just love tasting new purchases and opening a new package! Are you the same?
I’ve recently discovered this chipotle-flavored BBQ sauce and I’m absolutely addicted! I’ve been making so much BBQ chicken lately because I just want to be eating loads of that sauce! On top of making BBQ chicken, I’ll serve some BBQ sauce on the side! I think I went through a bottle in about two days or so. Yes, that bottle was all for me. I hope you’re not thinking I’m too much of a maniac right now!
That being said, BBQ chicken is great in so many ways! I love this BBQ Chicken Open-Faced Grilled Cheese Sandwich to let BBQ chicken truly shine with a touch of cheddar cheese. But let’s not forget the fun of quesadillas! In this recipe, I’ll be making a delicious BBQ chicken mixture that’s hearty and fresh! Smash this in with some cheddar cheese and toast your quesadillas on the pan, and that’s it! This is a 20-minute dinner that’s perfect for a busy weeknight dinner that will really hit the spot!
If you want to save time, what’s awesome about this Chicken Quesadilla recipe is that you can prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time! Prep it the night before or in the morning, and all you’ll have to do is assemble the quesadilla and warm it up. In fact, if you already have leftover BBQ chicken from whatever meal you made, then this is a great option! If you have plain BBQ chicken leftover, simply throw in the extra veggies and sour cream to refresh it, and add your cheddar cheese into the quesadilla. These quesadillas are so simple, easy, versatile, and of course extremely delicious! That’s what we’re all about here! Let’s get started and go over the ingredients for this yummy cheesy and crisp chicken quesadilla!
Fresh Ingredients for BBQ Quesadilla
Cooked, shredded chicken: Use pre-cooked shredded chicken or use one small chicken breast and follow my Simple Poached Chickenrecipe, then shred the cooked chicken using two forks.
Tortillas: I recommend that you use large 10-inch tortillas instead of the 8-inch taco tortillas. If you want, you could even use fun flavoured tortillas! I’m using the jalapeno tortilla from Farm Boy. These are huge and I love the jalapeno flavour!
Salt: To taste.
BBQ sauce: We’ll have lots of BBQ sauce added to make our chicken mixture, and I’ll be having even more on the side. If you love BBQ sauce, then you’re going to love this recipe! Don’t skimp out on here!
Sour cream: Adds a nice tanginess and offsets the heat from the BBQ sauce.
Green pepper: For some color and crunch to our chicken mix!
Jalapeno: Optional, but if you want a touch of heat to your quesadilla, then go ahead and add it! If you know me, you know I love my spice!
Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese is the best to add to this quesadilla! Now don’t be shy and really go crazy with the cheese! You’ll love that gooeyness and fun cheese pulls! Additionally, the sharpness of cheddar cheese will go amazingly well with the tangy and bold BBQ chicken mixture!
Onion: Onions are pretty much mandatory! Onions will add so much flavour to your chicken mixture.
Green onions: In the BBQ chicken mixture and for garnish to add some freshness overall.
Tips & Tricks for the Perfect Barbecue Chicken Quesadilla
Use lots of BBQ sauce. The BBQ sauce will make the chicken nice and moist and ooze out a bit when you bite into your quesadilla!
The BBQ sauce is probably already quite salty! When seasoning your chicken mixture, add a small amount of salt at first and combine all the ingredients together.
When adding the mixture onto your quesadilla, leave some space on the side of the tortilla. When we put pressure on our tortilla, we avoid the mixture spilling out when we’ll be heating our quesadilla.
When grating your cheese, go all the way up and down the grater so you have long shreds of cheese.
Apply a slight pressure to seal your quesadilla and ensure no mixture comes out.
Add a bit of olive oil to the pan when you heat your quesadilla to add a nice golden brown colour! This will also add some flavour to your quesadilla.
It shouldn’t take more than a minute for your quesadillas to warm through. Watch out for your tortillas fluffing up. If they are, you’re heating it for too long!
To keep the other quesadillas warm if preparing more than one, place the cooked quesadillas on a wire rack. Put them in the oven at 200 F until you have finished cooking all of your quesadillas.
Let the quesadilla sit for a minute before cutting. This will let the cheese relax and it won’t spill out when you cut the quesadilla. This is optional of course - if you’re impatient, then just go ahead and cut it!
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas
Make the BBQ Chicken Mixture
In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken, BBQ sauce, sour cream, onion, green onion, jalapeno and pepper. Using tongs, mix well.
Assemble the Quesadilla
To assemble the quesadillas, use tongs and spread the mixture on one side of the quesadilla. Distribute the chicken mixture evenly on both tortillas.
Then, add shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chicken mixture. Fold the quesadilla and gently press down to seal the ingredients together.
Heat the Quesadilla
Add olive oil to a pan on medium heat. Place your quesadilla onto the pan, and cook on one side until golden brown.
Using a spatula, flip and cook the other side.
If making more than one quesadilla, place the cooked quesadillas onto a wire rack over a baking sheet and place in the oven at 200 F so that they stay warm as the other quesadillas cook.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Quesadillas
Place your quesadilla on a cutting board and cut into three equal pieces.
These chicken quesadillas can be served in so many ways! As you see here, I’ve simply garnished my quesadilla with some freshly chopped green onions, and I’ve got my favourite BBQ sauce on the side for dipping!
However, there are so many ways you could serve your quesadillas. Here are some ideas that you can mix and match with:
Absolutely — the recipe works with cooked or raw chicken, so leftover, rotisserie or any pre-cooked chicken is a great shortcut. If you're starting from raw, just poach it for about 15 to 20 minutes, then shred or chop it before mixing with the BBQ sauce.
How do I get the quesadillas crispy?▼
Cook them in a little olive oil over medium heat until each side is golden brown, pressing gently so they seal. Then let them rest for a minute before slicing — that gives the cheese a chance to set so the filling doesn't slide out.
Are these quesadillas spicy?▼
They have a kick from the chopped jalapeño in the chicken mixture. Use less, or leave it out, for a milder quesadilla, or keep it (and add the seeds) if you like more heat.
How do I keep them warm while I cook a batch?▼
Set cooked quesadillas on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a 200°F oven while you finish the rest. The rack keeps the bottoms crisp instead of steaming, so every one stays hot and crunchy.
Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comments! If you’ve tried this recipe, be sure to post it on social media and tag it with #cookingwithanadi and mention me @cooking.with.anadi. Thank you!
Recipe by Anadi Misra
Crispy & Cheesy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Crispy, cheesy BBQ chicken quesadillas made quick and easy for lunch or dinner. Packed with smoky flavor and melted cheese, this crowd-pleasing recipe belongs in your weekly rotation.
If using raw chicken (simple poached chicken recipe)
1
To prepare poached chicken , add chicken in a cold pot and fill the pot with water. Add enough water to cover the chicken by at least 1 inch. Season with salt, turn heat to medium and cover with a lid
To prepare poached chicken , add chicken in a cold pot and fill the pot with water. Add enough water to cover the chicken by at least 1 inch. Season with salt, turn heat to medium and cover with a lid
2
Once the water starts boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for 15 - 20 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly.
Once the water starts boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for 15 - 20 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly.
3
Cut or shred as required in your recipe.
Cut or shred as required in your recipe.
For the BBQ chicken mixture
1
In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken, BBQ sauce, sour cream, onion, green onion, jalapeno and pepper. Using tongs, mix well.
In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken, BBQ sauce, sour cream, onion, green onion, jalapeno and pepper. Using tongs, mix well.
To make the quesadillas
1
To assemble the quesadillas, use tongs and spread the mixture on one side of the quesadilla. Distribute the chicken mixture evenly on both tortillas.
To assemble the quesadillas, use tongs and spread the mixture on one side of the quesadilla. Distribute the chicken mixture evenly on both tortillas.
2
Then, add shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chicken mixture.
Then, add shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chicken mixture.
3
Fold the quesadilla and gently press down to seal the ingredients together.
Fold the quesadilla and gently press down to seal the ingredients together.
4
Add olive oil to a pan on medium heat. Place your quesadilla onto the pan, and cook on one side until golden brown.
Add olive oil to a pan on medium heat. Place your quesadilla onto the pan, and cook on one side until golden brown.
5
Using a spatula, flip and cook the other side.
Using a spatula, flip and cook the other side.
6
If making more than one quesadilla, place the cooked quesadillas onto a wire rack over a baking sheet and place in the oven at 200 F so that they stay warm as the other quesadillas cook.
If making more than one quesadilla, place the cooked quesadillas onto a wire rack over a baking sheet and place in the oven at 200°F (93°C) so that they stay warm as the other quesadillas cook.
7
Once you're ready to serve, allow the quesadillas to rest for a minute before slicing so that the cheese has a chance to relax. Cut each quesadilla into three equal pieces. Garnish with green onions and serve with BBQ sauce on the side if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Once you're ready to serve, allow the quesadillas to rest for a minute before slicing so that the cheese has a chance to relax. Cut each quesadilla into three equal pieces. Garnish with green onions and serve with BBQ sauce on the side if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
•To heat the quesadillas, you can also place the quesadillas on a baking sheet and let them heat in the broiler. It will take about a minute on each side. Ensure that the tortillas don't puff up.
Nutrition per serving
550
Calories
29g
Protein
61g
Carbs
21g
Fat
3g
Fiber
31g
Sugar
1488mg
Sodium
Share This Recipe
Did you make this recipe? Tag @cooking.with.anadi on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingwithanadi
Tested & written in Anadi’s kitchen
Free weekly newsletter
Like this recipe? Get more every week.
New recipes, cooking tips, and behind-the-scenes from Anadi's kitchen.
Epic Loaded Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Nachos are crispy, saucy, and packed with bold flavor. The easiest sheet pan nachos recipe perfect for lunch, dinner, or feeding a hungry crowd.
Melty, cheesy, and incredibly easy to make — this Baked Deli Chicken Sandwich is the ultimate quick lunch. Loaded with gooey cheese and savory chicken, it will become your new favorite.
Easy one-pot chicken and rice with veggies — a fuss-free dinner the whole family will love. Minimal cleanup, maximum flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights!
Bold, smoky, and packed with heat — this Cajun Chicken Spaghetti is an easy weeknight recipe ready in under 30 minutes. Spicy, satisfying, and impossible to resist.
Juicy grilled chicken meets creamy Caesar dressing in this easy sandwich recipe. Crispy romaine, parmesan, and tender chicken packed between toasted bread make the perfect quick healthy lunch.
Fire up the grill for these Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders with torched, melty cheese. Juicy beef patties, crispy bacon, and bold flavors make the ultimate lunch or dinner crowd-pleaser.
30 minMedium3 sliders
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!
Comments
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!
Leave a comment