Introduction

BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are a quick and delicious dinner option that’s packed with smoky barbecue flavor and melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe combines tender shredded chicken with tangy sauce, all wrapped in crispy tortillas.

The dish shows three triangular quesadilla pieces on a white plate, each piece golden brown with light grill marks and sprinkled with chopped green herbs. The quesadillas have visible melted cheese and shredded chicken filling inside, with a glossy dark sauce drizzled over the top. On the side of the plate is a small white bowl filled with a thick dark brown dipping sauce, with some sauce dripping slightly down the inside. Next to the quesadillas is a fresh salad made of bright green leafy lettuce, sliced purple onions, and chopped red tomatoes. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 large flour tortillas
1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken and barbecue sauce until the chicken is evenly coated.
Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 3: Place one tortilla in the skillet, sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over it, then spread 1/2 cup of the BBQ chicken mixture on top. Finish with another 1/2 cup of cheese.
Step 4: Cover with a second tortilla and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the bottom tortilla is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt.
Step 5: Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the other side is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Step 6: Remove from the skillet and repeat the process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
Step 7: Slice each quesadilla into wedges and garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or cumin to the chicken mixture before assembling.
Substitute cheddar with Monterey Jack or a Mexican cheese blend for a different taste.
Include diced bell peppers or jalapeños for added texture and heat.
Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free variation, but handle carefully as they are more fragile.

Storage

Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven to keep them crispy, avoiding the microwave if possible. They can also be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows four triangular quesadilla slices on a white plate with a light char on the golden-brown tortillas. Each slice has three visible layers: the top and bottom layers are tortillas with a slightly crispy, spotted texture, and the middle layer contains shredded chicken mixed with melted white cheese and a reddish-brown sauce. The quesadillas are sprinkled with chopped fresh green cilantro on top. To the right side of the plate, there is a small black bowl filled with a thick reddish-brown dipping sauce garnished with cilantro. The whole setup is on a white marbled texture surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Just shred it and mix with the barbecue sauce as directed.

How can I make these quesadillas spicier?

Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the chicken mixture, or serve with spicy salsa or hot sauce on the side.

BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: The Perfect Easy Dinner Idea Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 80 reviews

These BBQ Chicken Quesadillas offer a quick and delicious meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy barbecue sauce is layered with melted cheddar cheese between warm flour tortillas, creating a crispy, cheesy, and flavorful dish that everyone will love. Serve them with a garnish of fresh green onions for an extra burst of color and taste.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Filling

2 cups cooked shredded chicken
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup chopped green onions (optional)

Quesadilla

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
4 large flour tortillas
2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Prepare the chicken mixture: In a bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken with barbecue sauce. Mix thoroughly until the chicken is well coated with the sauce.
Heat the skillet: Place a large skillet over medium heat and heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil to prevent sticking and help crisp the tortillas.
Assemble the quesadilla: Place one flour tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly on the tortilla, then spread 1/2 cup of the BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese. Top the chicken with another 1/2 cup of shredded cheese for extra cheesiness.
Top and cook: Cover the filling with a second tortilla. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom tortilla is golden brown and the cheese starts to melt.
Flip and finish cooking: Carefully flip the quesadilla using a spatula and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the second side is golden and the cheese is fully melted.
Repeat for remaining quesadillas: Remove the cooked quesadilla from the skillet and set aside. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and repeat the layering and cooking process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
Serve: Slice each quesadilla into wedges and garnish with chopped green onions if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!

Notes

Use cooked chicken from a rotisserie or leftover chicken to save time.
You can substitute cheddar cheese with a blend of Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different flavor.
Adjust barbecue sauce quantity based on your desired sauciness.
For a healthier option, use whole wheat tortillas and a reduced-fat cheese.
Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa as dipping options.
Keep the heat at medium to avoid burning the tortillas while melting the cheese.

Keywords: BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, easy dinner, shredded chicken, cheese quesadilla, quick meal, barbecue recipe