How to Make Chicken Quesadillas
These BBQ chicken quesadillas are one of my favourite quick and easy meals when I need something comforting but full of flavour. Crispy tortillas, melty mozzarella, and smoky BBQ chicken come together in minutes, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights, easy lunches, or casual entertaining.
How to Make Chicken Quesadillas
Start by placing a frying pan on the hob over low heat and letting it warm up for a few minutes before cooking. While the pan heats, butter one side of each tortilla so they crisp up beautifully and turn golden when cooked.
In a small bowl, mix the shredded chicken with your favourite BBQ sauce until the chicken is well coated.
Place one tortilla butter-side down into the warm pan, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella over one half of the tortilla.
Spoon the BBQ chicken evenly over the cheese and top with a little more mozzarella for that extra gooey finish.
Carefully fold the tortilla in half and cook until the bottom is golden and crispy.
Flip and cook the other side until the cheese is fully melted and the tortilla is perfectly toasted.
Repeat with the remaining tortillas, then serve your BBQ chicken quesadillas hot with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for an easy, flavour-packed meal everyone will love.
Storage
Let the quesadillas cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Wrap each quesadilla tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheat in a frying pan over low heat until warmed through and crispy again, or use an air fryer at 350℉/175℃ for 4–5 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the tortillas soft.
Ingredients
Cooked, Shredded Chicken: The hearty base of these chicken quesadillas, shredded chicken, soaks up the BBQ sauce beautifully and provides plenty of protein. This is a great way to use leftover or meal-prepped chicken.
BBQ Sauce: Adds a sweet, smoky flavour that coats the chicken and gives the quesadillas their signature bold taste. Use your favourite BBQ sauce to customize the level of sweetness or smokiness.
Butter: Buttered tortillas help create that perfectly golden, crispy exterior while adding rich flavour as the quesadillas cook in the pan.
Tortillas: Soft tortillas hold all the fillings together and crisp up nicely in the skillet. Flour tortillas work best for folding and achieving an even, golden finish.
Shredded Mozzarella: A mild, melty cheese that pulls everything together. Mozzarella melts smoothly and balances the bold BBQ chicken without overpowering it, creating that classic gooey quesadilla texture.
Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. cooked chicken shredded
- 1/2 c. BBQ sauce
- 6 Tortillas
- 2 c. shredded Mozzarella
- Butter
- 1/2 diced red onion & 1 tomato diced optional
Instructions
- Place the frying pan onto the hob and turn it on low. Let it heat up for a few minutes before using.
- Butter one side of each of the tortillas.
- In a small bowl, add the shredded chicken and mix in the BBQ sauce. If using onion and the tomato add here to the chicken.
- Place the buttered side of the tortilla onto the frying pan.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella onto one half of the tortilla. Add the shredded chicken on top of the cheese, then add more cheese.
- Fold the tortilla in half and let it fry until the bottom is golden brown. Flip onto the other side and continue to fry.
- Repeat the above steps until all of the tortillas are cooked.
- Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole and enjoy!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
FAQ Section
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes! This recipe is perfect for using up leftover shredded chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even pulled chicken from meal prep.
What cheese works best for BBQ chicken quesadillas?
Mozzarella melts beautifully, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican-style cheese blend also works really well.
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can assemble the quesadillas ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before cooking.
How do I keep quesadillas crispy?
Cook them on low to medium heat and avoid overfilling. Buttering the outside of the tortillas also helps achieve that golden, crispy texture.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! Cook at 375℉/190℃ for 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and melted.
What can I serve with BBQ chicken quesadillas?
They pair perfectly with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, a simple salad, or even corn on the cob for a full meal.
In this blog post, you learned how to make chicken quesadillas.