Best Chicken Quesadillas
This chicken quesadilla recipe is a favorite easy meal of mine. Whether you serve this dish on its own or with some simple sides, everyone in your family will love the cheesy goodness of these easy chicken quesadillas.
I like to use this great recipe when I have leftover rotisserie chicken or chicken breasts that need to be used, making this recipe even easier.
On busy weeknights I like to have a handful of recipes I can pull from when I need to get lunch or dinner on the table quickly.
If you need other family favorites for busy weeknights, be sure to try my easy baked pesto chicken, hearty mini meatloaves, or simple meaty lasagana.
What are Chicken Quesadillas?
Chicken quesadillas consist of two layers of flour tortillas grilled together with a mixture of melted cheese, roasted bell peppers, and seasoned chicken in the middle.
There are so many variations and substitutions for a quesadilla that you can make this recipe to suit your family’s needs.
You really just need cheese and tortillas, and the rest is up to your creativity and imagination.
Cheesy chicken quesadillas make such simple dinners and are a fantastic way to use up ingredients in your fridge and pantry.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is a true “pantry pull” recipe. I always have cheese and tortillas on hand, so I can make these anytime I need a simple meal when I am short on time and don’t have time to run to the store.
- Whether you use chicken, steak, pork, sautéed onion, or veggies, quesadillas are delicious with any fillings you put inside.
- Since quesadillas are made in batches, this recipe is perfect for the picky eaters in your family. You can customize each quesadilla for the person you are making them for.
- You can make this recipe ahead of time and simply reheat when you are ready to serve, or make a large batch and freeze the rest. You can put these in your kids’ lunches, since they will thaw out by the time they are ready to eat.
- This is the perfect recipe to use up any leftover meat you have on hand or any veggies that need to be used before they spoil. Get creative. This recipe is perfect to try new variations.
- This popular Mexican dish will be a crowd favorite!
Tell Me About Chicken Quesadillas
- Taste– With warm gooey cheese and perfectly seasoned chicken, this dish is the perfect balance of flavors.
- Texture– The exterior of the quesadilla is warm and crunchy, while the interior is warm and melty.
- Ease– This recipe truly can’t get much easier. You can use precooked chicken and already shredded cheese to make this even more simple. Quesadillas are the perfect recipe to get your kids involved in the kitchen.
- Time– Whether you are cooking your chicken or using leftovers, this recipe comes together in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients for Chicken Quesadillas
- Tortillas– I like to use a large flour tortilla for this recipe, but you can use corn tortillas if you prefer.
- Monterey Jack Cheese– This is the perfect cheese for melting. Add some cheddar, mozzarella, or even some pepper jack cheese if you want to add a little kick. Lots of cheese is the key to a delicious quesadilla.
- Chicken Breasts– I like to use white meat for this recipe, but you can substitute with chicken thighs or a rotisserie chicken. Just add the spices and warm through.
- Bell Peppers– Red bell peppers and orange are my favorite, but you can certainly substitute with green bell pepper you like.
- Onion– White onions are what are usually used in this dish. However, yellow onions add a sweet flavor to this recipe.
- Avocado Oil– You can substitute with olive oil or vegetable oil.
Ingredients for Seasoning
- Chili Powder– This adds the perfect amount of spice and really drives home the Tex-Mex flavors.
- Cumin– Cumin is a spice that adds depth to the meal.
- Garlic Powder– Garlic makes any dish delicious!
- Oregano– This herb adds a minty and strong flavor.
- Onion Powder– A little bit of onion powder will go a long way in adding the onion taste to the seasoning.
- Kosher Salt– Salt is a seasoning that not only adds flavoring, but also brings out the other flavors in the dish.
Make Chicken Quesadillas in 3 Easy Steps
- Season the Chicken– Add your seasoning ingredients to a medium bowl. Then add the chicken and toss to coat it evenly before cooking the chicken in a skillet for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Add the Vegetable Ingredients– Add in the diced bell peppers and onion, and then toss it with the chicken. Be sure to preheat an electric griddle (you may also use a large frying pan over medium to medium high heat) to 350°F.
- Place the Ingredients in the Tortilla– Add your cheese to the tortilla and a scoop of the meat and veggie mixture. Cook on each side until the outside is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Substitutions for Chicken Quesadillas
- Cheddar, Mozzarella, or Pepper Jack Cheese– If you prefer cheddar cheese, mozzarella, or pepper jack, you can substitute these for Monterey Jack.
- Ground Beef– If you don’t have chicken on hand or prefer ground beef, it works well as a substitute for chicken.
Tips for Making the Best Chicken Quesadillas
- Butter your griddle so the tortillas get nice and crispy. If you don’t have a griddle, you can use a non-stick pan or cast iron skillet.
- Make sure that the chicken is fully cooked and is no longer pink on the inside before adding to the quesadilla. You can also cook the chicken ahead of time and shred the chicken once fully cooled.
- Cut the quesadillas into three pieces and serve with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.
- If you are using a griddle, you may be able to make more than one quesadilla at a time. Make sure to leave room so that the tortilla can lay flat and cook all the way through.
- If you are using rotisserie chicken, go ahead and coat the chicken with oil and the seasoning mix before adding to the quesadilla. You will also want to cook your onions and vegetables to make sure that they are soft and tender before adding the chicken and cheese.
Add Ins for Chicken Quesadillas
- Jalapeños– These chili peppers add an extra spicy zing to the meal.
- Avocado– Avocados are super healthy and provide a creamy texture in contrast to the crispy tortilla.
- Paprika– If you like the spicy flavor of paprika, you can add it to the seasoning mixture.
- Pepper– You can add pepper to the chicken or to the seasoning mix for a milder spice if you would like.
- Black Beans– Beans add a Mexican flavor to the quesadillas.
- Fresh Cilantro– Many people like the taste of cilantro, others find it bitter tasting.
- Black and Green Olives– Sliced olives are delicious in quesadillas.
How Do You Store Leftover Chicken Quesadillas?
Make sure that the quesadilla is brought to room temperature before storing in an airtight container.
Leftover quesadillas will last 2-3 days in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer.
If you are storing in the freezer, wrap each quesadilla individually in foil, then add to a large zip lock bag.
How Do You Reheat Oven Chicken Quesadillas?
You can reheat quesadillas three different ways.
My favorite is preheating the oven to 300 degrees and reheating the quesadillas on a sheet pan for about 10 minutes, until warmed through.
You can also use your microwave to reheat the quesadillas by wrapping the quesadillas in a moist paper towel and cooking in 15 second increments until warm.
You could also warm up your skillet over medium heat and reheat the quesadillas for about 2-3 minutes per side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since this recipe has simple and neutral ingredients, you can serve these quesadillas with a variety of different options. Try a side of beans and rice or some chips and guacamole for a traditional Tex-Mex feel. You could also serve with some cilantro rice and a side of fruit for a quick lunch option. You could even deconstruct this meal and make soft tacos, fajitas, or taco bowls with the same ingredients.
Yes, just be careful because butter burns more quickly and avocado oil tolerates high heat.
Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
Equipment
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 cast iron skillet or frying skillet
- 1 Knife
- 1 electric griddle
Ingredients
- 8 flour tortillas
- 2 cups monterey jack cheese shredded
- 3 chicken breasts medium, cubed
- 2 bell peppers medium, diced
- ½ white onion diced
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
Seasoning
- ½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Add your seasoning ingredients to a medium bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat and add your 1 T oil to the skillet. Add your chicken when the skillet is hot and allow it to get golden brown on each side. You will cook it 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Add in the diced bell peppers and onion and toss it with the chicken, allowing the veggies to soften and the chicken to cook through. Be sure there is no pink left in the chicken.
- Preheat an electric griddle (you may also use a large skillet over medium heat) to 350 degrees F. I like to butter my griddle so the tortillas get nice and crispy.
- Lay your tortillas on the griddle so they are close together, but not touching.
- Allow them to crisp up and then flip them.
- Add your cheese to the tortilla and a scoop of the meat and veggie mixture.
- Fold the tortilla in half and make sure it is crispy on both sides.
- Cut the quesadillas into three pieces and serve with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.
Notes
- Butter your griddle so the tortillas get nice and crispy. If you don’t have a griddle, you can use a non-stick pan or cast iron skillet.
- Make sure that the chicken is fully cooked and is no longer pink on the inside before adding to the quesadilla. You can also cook the chicken ahead of time and shred the chicken once fully cooled.
- Cut the quesadillas into three pieces and serve with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.
- If you are using a griddle, you may be able to make more than one quesadilla at a time. Make sure to leave room so that the tortilla can lay flat and cook all the way through.
- If you are using rotisserie chicken, go ahead and coat the chicken with oil and the seasoning mix before adding to the quesadilla. You will also want to cook your onions and vegetables to make sure that they are soft and tender before adding the chicken and cheese.
