BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
These cheesy, smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are the kind of meal that disappears almost as quickly as you can make them. Packed with tender shredded chicken, sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, melty cheese, and corn, they come together in under 30 minutes and are perfect for lunch, dinner, or game-day snacking.
The crispy tortilla paired with the flavorful filling makes every bite irresistible. Plus, this recipe is a great way to use up leftover or rotisserie chicken when you need a quick, easy meal.
If you love simple, flavor-packed recipes like this, be sure to try our Big Mac sloppy Joes, enchilada sliders, and chicken dumpling casserole.
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to make
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Loaded with cheesy barbecue flavor
- Great for using leftover chicken
- Perfect for parties, lunches, and weeknight dinners
- Easy to customize with your favorite toppings
Key Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Shredded Chicken: The star of the quesadillas. It makes them hearty and filling and gives them plenty of protein.
- BBQ Sauce: Brings a sweet, smoky flavor that transforms simple chicken into the main event.
- Mexican Cheese Blend: Melts everything together and adds that gooey, cheesy goodness that every quesadilla needs.
- Corn: Adds a pop of sweetness and texture that pairs surprisingly well with the smoky barbecue flavor.
- Cilantro: Brightens up the rich, cheesy filling with a fresh finish.
Variations
- Add Beans: Add black beans for extra protein and texture.
- Make It Spicy: Use pepper jack cheese and jalapeño slices for a spicy version.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in diced red onions or bell peppers.
- Add Bacon: Add crispy bacon for even more smoky flavor.
- BBQ Ranch Quesadillas: Drizzle ranch dressing over the top before serving.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Mix the chicken with the BBQ sauce until combined, then set aside.
- Top half of a tortilla with the chicken mixture.
- Spread corn evenly over the chicken.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Fold in half to create a quesadilla. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Cook in a hot pan on both sides until golden and crispy. Repeat with all quesadillas, then cut them in half and top with sour cream. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Rotisserie chicken works wonderfully and saves time.
- Don’t overfill the tortillas, or they may fall apart while cooking.
- Cook over medium heat so the cheese melts without burning the tortilla.
- Press gently with a spatula while cooking to help everything stay together.
- Let the quesadillas rest for a minute before slicing.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas FAQs
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Any barbecue sauce you enjoy will work well. Sweet, smoky, spicy, or tangy sauces all add great flavor, so choose your favorite brand or homemade recipe.
A Mexican-style shredded cheese blend melts beautifully, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or pepper jack cheese is an excellent choice.
Avoid overfilling the tortillas, and gently press them with a spatula while cooking. Letting the quesadillas rest for a minute before slicing also helps the filling stay in place.
Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Yes. Allow the cooked quesadillas to cool completely, then wrap them tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven, skillet, or air fryer for the best texture.
For crispy tortillas, reheat them in a skillet over medium-low heat or bake them in a 350°F oven until warmed through. An air fryer also works well. Microwaving is not recommended because it can soften the tortillas.
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📖Recipe
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- large skillet or frying pan
- Cutting board and knife
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 1 ½ cups Mexican-style shredded cheese blend
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 large tortillas
- 15 ounces corn drained and rinsed
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 3 tablespoons cilantro
- cups Sour cream optional
- 1 jalapeno optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce. Set aside.
- Prepare the quesadillas by laying a tortilla flat. Add a layer of BBQ chicken to half of the tortilla. Top with corn and a sprinkle of cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over to close it. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Heat a pan over medium heat with olive oil. Place a quesadilla in the pan and cook for 2 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 to 4 minutes until golden brown.Remove from the pan and repeat with the remaining quesadillas.
- Cut each quesadilla in half.
- Top with dollops of sour cream and sliced jalapeños, if desired. Garnish with chopped cilantro and enjoy!
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
