Sizzling BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe for Fun Family Dinners

Crispy, golden bbq chicken quesadillas promise a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement.

Melted cheese and tender chicken combine in a magical handheld meal that screams comfort.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with this simple yet irresistible dish.

Smoky barbecue sauce brings a tangy kick that elevates every single bite.

Southwest-inspired ingredients create a delightful symphony of textures and bold flavors.

Quick to prepare and impossible to resist, these quesadillas will become your new go-to meal.

Hungry?

Let’s turn your kitchen into a flavor paradise right now.

What Makes BBQ Chicken Quesadillas So Good

• Unlock Flavor Explosion: Combines tangy BBQ chicken with melty cheese and spicy jalapeños for a mouthwatering taste adventure.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or adjust spice levels to match your personal preference, making this recipe adaptable for any palate.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for casual gatherings, game days, or spontaneous family meals that require minimal preparation and maximum satisfaction.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Delivers professional-level flavor and crispy texture without complex cooking techniques, allowing home cooks to create restaurant-style dishes effortlessly.

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Ingredients You’ll Need

• Shredded Chicken: A tender protein base coated with tangy BBQ sauce for a rich and flavorful filling.

• Cheddar Cheese: A melty cheese that creates a gooey and creamy interior for the quesadillas.

• Red Onions, Jalapeño, Cilantro, Green Onions: A vibrant combination that adds fresh crunch, heat, and herbal notes to the quesadillas.

• Tortilla: A soft, crispy wrapper that holds the delicious filling and creates a golden exterior when cooked.

• Olive Oil: A cooking fat that helps create a crisp and golden tortilla surface.
• BBQ Sauce: A tangy condiment that coats the chicken and adds a signature smoky flavor to the dish.

Easy Instructions for BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Step 1: Prepare Flavor-Packed Chicken

Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, coating every piece generously to create a mouthwatering base for your quesadillas.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Veggie Companions

Dice red onions, mince jalapeño, and chop fresh cilantro to add crunch and zesty flavor to your quesadillas.

Step 3: Fire Up the Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the surface starts to shimmer and looks hot.

Step 4: Create the Crispy Tortilla Base

Lay a tortilla flat in the hot skillet, allowing it to start crisping up and developing a golden color.

Step 5: Build the Cheesy Foundation

Sprinkle cheddar cheese on half of the tortilla, creating a melty base that will hold all the delicious ingredients together.

Step 6: Layer Flavor-Packed Toppings

Add the BBQ-coated chicken evenly across the cheese, ensuring a perfect distribution of flavor.

Step 7: Add Vegetable Medley

• Diced red onions
• Minced jalapeño
• Chopped cilantro

Step 8: Create Melty Cheese Blanket

Sprinkle another layer of cheese on top to ensure maximum gooeyness and flavor.

Step 9: Fold and Press

Carefully fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filled side, gently pressing with a spatula.

Step 10: Crisp to Perfection

Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom turns a beautiful golden brown and crispy.

Step 11: Flip and Finish

Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes until equally crisp and golden.

Step 12: Rest and Slice

Remove from skillet and let rest for 1 minute before cutting into wedges.

Step 13: Add Final Fresh Touch

Sprinkle sliced green onions on top for a burst of fresh flavor and color.

Step 14: Serve Immediately

Plate and serve right away while the cheese is melted and the tortilla remains wonderfully crisp.

Tips to Make Your Quesadillas Even Better

• Quick-Coat Chicken: Toss BBQ sauce thoroughly to ensure each chicken strand absorbs maximum tangy flavor for rich taste.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Use room temperature cheese to guarantee smooth, even melting without clumping or burning.
• Crispy Tortilla Trick: Press quesadilla gently with spatula while cooking to create a perfectly golden, crunchy exterior without burning.
• Heat Control Technique: Maintain medium-high heat to achieve crispy tortilla edges while allowing cheese to melt completely without scorching.
• Spice Level Adjustment: Reduce or remove jalapeño seeds to control heat intensity for sensitive palates or add extra for spice lovers.

Fun Twists on BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

• Spicy Ranch Chicken Quesadillas: Replace BBQ sauce with ranch dressing and add extra hot sauce for a creamy, fiery kick.
• Southwest Chicken Quesadillas: Incorporate black beans, corn kernels, and swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to create a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
• Pineapple BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Mix diced pineapple chunks into the BBQ chicken for a sweet and tangy tropical transformation.
• Greek-Inspired Chicken Quesadillas: Use feta cheese, add kalamata olives, and drizzle with tzatziki sauce to give a Mediterranean-style spin.

What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

• Pair Zesty Cold Beer: Crisp lager or hoppy IPA cuts through the rich, tangy BBQ flavors and complements the melted cheese perfectly.
• Refresh with Citrus Margarita: Bright, tangy tequila-based cocktail balances the spicy jalapeño and sweet BBQ sauce with its lime and orange notes.
• Create Cooling Dipping Sauce: Blend sour cream with fresh cilantro, lime juice, and a dash of hot sauce to enhance the quesadilla's complex flavor profile.
• Serve with Crisp Coleslaw: Light, crunchy cabbage salad with vinegar-based dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the hearty, cheesy quesadillas.

Storing BBQ Chicken Quesadillas for Later

• Store leftover BBQ chicken quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, ensuring maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Wrap individual quesadillas tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 1 month, maintaining their delicious taste and texture.
• Revive refrigerated quesadillas by warming them in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, restoring their crispy exterior and melty cheese.
• Separate quesadilla layers with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their individual integrity during storage.

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla FAQs Answered

• What type of BBQ sauce works best for this recipe?

Store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce works great. Choose a tangy, slightly sweet sauce that complements chicken well, like Kansas City-style or honey BBQ.

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While cheddar is classic, you can substitute with monterey jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican blend cheese for added flavor and melting qualities.

• How do I prevent the quesadilla from burning?

Maintain medium-high heat and watch closely. The key is golden brown color, not dark brown or black. Use a spatula to check the bottom periodically and adjust heat if needed.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The jalapeños add a mild heat, but you can control the spice level by removing seeds for less heat or adding more jalapeños for extra kick.

BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 18-19 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling BBQ chicken quesadillas bring Mexican-inspired comfort to your dinner table with melted cheese and smoky grilled flavors. Crispy tortillas packed with tender chicken and zesty barbecue sauce promise a quick, delicious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups chicken, shredded
• 4 large tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, minced

Seasonings and Extras:

• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Toss shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated and infused with tangy flavor.
2. Finely dice red onions, mince jalapeño, and chop cilantro to create a vibrant vegetable medley.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot.
4. Place tortilla in the skillet, creating a crisp golden base for the quesadilla.
5. Sprinkle half the tortilla with cheddar cheese, creating a melting foundation.
6. Layer BBQ-coated chicken across the cheese, distributing evenly.
7. Scatter diced red onions, minced jalapeño, and chopped cilantro over the chicken.
8. Generously top with additional cheese to ensure a gooey, melted interior.
9. Fold the empty tortilla half over the filled side, pressing gently with a spatula.
10. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom turns crispy and golden brown.
11. Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for an additional 2-3 minutes.
12. Remove from skillet and let rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges.
13. Garnish with sliced green onions for a fresh, zesty finish.
14. Serve immediately while cheese is melted and tortilla remains crisp.

Notes

• Customize spice levels by adjusting jalapeño quantity, making it mild or fiery hot for different heat tolerances.
• Swap traditional tortillas with gluten-free alternatives for those with wheat sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy this delicious dish.
• Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to save preparation time and add extra smoky flavor dimensions.
• Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack or smoked gouda to create unique taste profiles and elevate the quesadilla experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 7-8 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg