Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas Ready in Under 30 Minutes

If you have never made chicken quesadillas, this is your time to make them! And if you are an avid quesadilla cook, please check out how I make mine and let us exchange ideas. Quesadillas are a beloved dish to many for their perfect balance of crispiness, gooeyness, and crunchiness, and for their versatility with ingredients. These cheesy chicken quesadillas are especially awesome as they are packed with flavorful shredded chicken, crunchy, vegetables, and melted cheese, all wrapped up in a crispy tortilla. This recipe requires minimal ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a go-to recipe for busy days. Enjoy these quesadillas for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a crowd-pleasing snack at a get-together.

Ingredients for cheesy chicken quesadillas

• Cooked chicken – about 1.5 pounds, shredded or diced (grilled, rotisserie, or leftover chicken works great)
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp
• Garlic – 1 tbsp
• Yellow onion – 1 medium size, chopped
• Red and green bell peppers – 1/2 a head each, chopped
• Seasoning (salt and black pepper) to taste.
• Cilantro – 1/4 cup, finely chopped
• Cheese – mozzarella + cheddar (1.5 cups total)
• Flour tortillas – 2 large

Note on Ingredients: I like my chicken quesadilla recipe simple and only lightly seasoned. If you watch the recipe video, you’ll notice that I did not add any seasoning at all. That’s also because the chicken I used was already seasoned when it was cooked. I skipped adding salt because the cheese takes care of that already. That said, feel free to up your seasoning game here. Introduce new seasonings like paprika, onion and garlic powders, or even cayenne pepper for some heat. Finely chopped hot peppers of any kind would be a great addition too in place of cayenne pepper.

Steps for cheesy chicken quesadillas

1. Prepare the Chicken Filling

Heat vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and fry for about 10 seconds. Add the shredded or diced chicken and saute it for a minute to absorb the garlic aroma. Then, add yellow onions and bell peppers and continue sauteing for 2 to 3 minutes or until they are slightly cooked but still crunchy. If using salt and any ground seasonings, sprinkle in at this point and cook for another minute. Finally, add cilantro, stir it in, and take the pan off the heat.

2. Assemble the Quesadillas

On a wide, flat pan, warm up one tortilla at a time on medium-low heat. Sprinkle about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese all over the tortilla. Then, spoon about 1/2 cup of the seasoned chicken on one half of the tortilla. Spread it out evenly. Sprinkle more cheese (about 1/4 cup) all over the chicken. Fold over the other half of the tortilla to cover the filling and press it on nicely and gently. Let the quesadilla cook for 20-30 seconds, then flip it over gently so the second side can get crispy too. This will also allow for the cheese to melt further. Cook the second side for another 20-30 seconds, then take the ready quesadilla off the heat. Repeat the process with the second tortilla.

An adjustment you can make here: If you’re looking for a buttery and extra flaky quesadilla crust, add a little butter or oil (about a tablespoon) to the pan after you’ve formed your quesadilla. Place the folded quesadilla in the oiled pan and cook on medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.

3. Serve and Enjoy

Let the quesadillas cool for a minute before cutting them into halves or wedges. Enjoy them as they are or serve them with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or a drizzle of hot sauce. You will love every bite!

Pro tips for the best chicken quesadillas

• Cheese Selection: Use a combination of cheeses for the best flavor.
• Tortilla Choice: Flour tortillas work best for flexibility, but corn tortillas can be used for a more traditional taste.
• Extra Fillings: You can add any type of bell peppers, any type of onions, or even black beans for a heartier meal. The filling that you use is totally your choice.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the filling in advance and store it in the fridge for up to three days for even quicker meals. Simply heat it up when ready to make your quesadillas.

Print the Recipe

How to store and reheat leftover chicken quesadillas

• Storing: Wrap leftover quesadillas tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Freezing: If you want to store them for longer, wrap each quesadilla piece individually in foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They will stay fresh for up to 2 months.
• Reheating:
  • Microwave: Unwrap and place the quesadilla on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 30-45 seconds if refrigerated or about 1-2 minutes if frozen. Flip halfway through.
  • Oven: Preheat the oven to 350F. Wrap the quesadilla in foil and heat for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
  • Skillet: Heat a pan over medium-low heat and warm the quesadilla for 2-3 minutes per side until heated through and slightly crispy.

Conclusion

Cheesy chicken quesadillas are a simple yet satisfying meal that can be customized to fit your taste. With crispy tortillas, gooey melted cheese, flavorful chicken, and crunchy vegetables, this dish is sure to become your favorite. The best part is that it also saves you time! These cheesy chicken quesadillas deliver big on taste with minimal effort. Try them out and enjoy every bite!

Related recipe: Beef wraps with leftover meat

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