Description
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are a quick, flavorful dish combining tender shredded chicken coated in smoky, tangy BBQ sauce with melted cheddar cheese and crisp tortillas. Perfect for a satisfying dinner or snack, this easy-to-make recipe balances sweet, savory, and spicy elements and can be customized to suit your taste or dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast or thighs
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your choice of bottled or homemade)
- 4 medium flour tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1–2 jalapeños, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a bowl, mix the shredded cooked chicken with BBQ sauce until evenly coated. For extra flavor and heat, add finely diced red onion and jalapeños if desired.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay one tortilla flat and spread a generous layer of the BBQ chicken mixture over half of it. Sprinkle a good handful of shredded cheddar cheese on top, then fold the other half of the tortilla over to form a half-moon.
- Cook Until Golden and Melty: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add olive oil or butter. Place the folded quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Slice and Garnish: Remove the quesadilla from the pan and let it rest for a minute. Slice into wedges and garnish with fresh cilantro or a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Notes
- Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken evenly for tender bites.
- Do not overfill the quesadilla to avoid sogginess and difficulty flipping.
- Cook over medium heat to ensure cheese melts and tortillas crisp without burning.
- Gently press the quesadilla with a spatula while cooking to keep ingredients together.
- Allow quesadillas to rest briefly before slicing so the cheese sets slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg