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Easy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe

4.9 from 79 reviews

This Easy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas recipe combines tender shredded chicken with tangy BBQ sauce, melted Monterey jack cheese, red onion, and fresh cilantro, all sandwiched between crispy flour tortillas. Quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering, these quesadillas deliver bold flavors with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Quesadilla Ingredients

  • 8 flour tortillas (2 per quesadilla)
  • 2 cups shredded chicken*
  • 1½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce, plus more for serving
  • ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ⅓ cup cilantro, chopped (leaves & stems)

*Shredded Chicken Preparation

  • 1 lbs chicken tenders
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the filling: In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken with ½ cup BBQ sauce and mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
  2. Assemble & cook: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Place one tortilla in the pan while warming. Layer evenly with a handful of shredded Monterey jack cheese, the BBQ chicken mixture, thinly sliced red onion, chopped cilantro, and another layer of cheese. Top with a second tortilla. Cook for a few minutes until the cheese begins to melt and the bottom tortilla turns golden brown. Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side until it is also golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
  3. Serve: Remove the quesadilla from the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 4 to 6 wedges and serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side.
  4. Make shredded chicken at home (optional): Season 1-1½ lbs chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Bake at 400°F (204°C) for 15-18 minutes until cooked through. Use two forks to shred the chicken before using in the recipe.

Notes

  • Use cooked shredded chicken for convenience; store-bought rotisserie chicken works well too.
  • For extra crispiness, press down gently on the quesadilla with a spatula while cooking.
  • Feel free to swap Monterey jack cheese with cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend.
  • Adjust the amount of BBQ sauce to your preferred level of tanginess and moisture.
  • To make the quesadilla gluten-free, substitute flour tortillas with gluten-free tortillas.

Keywords: BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, Easy Quesadilla Recipe, Shredded Chicken, Quick Dinner, Mexican-American