Crisp tortillas filled with saucy bbq chicken and melting cheese add up to these BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. They are a little bit spicy, awesomely cheesy, and they are a very popular lunch in our house.
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
I am fairly certain that some of the most delicious dishes come from staring into the refrigerator looking for inspiration from leftovers. This was a very successful lunch quickly put together using leftovers from the refrigerator.
This isn’t a complicated meal at all, but it sure was delicious! I’m planning to BBQ some chicken this week, just to have it in the fridge for a couple of easy lunch quesadillas and enchiladas.
Quesadillas are a meal or a snack that once kids can safely use the stove, they can be taught to make. When teaching my boys I started with the skillet on fairly low, basically, let the cheese melt then I would turn up the heat to get it crispy.
I would also suggest a big spatula like my favorite one. A larger spatula makes flipping so much easier without the insides coming out everywhere. A fish spatula does the trick as well.
A recipe really isn’t necessary for quesadillas but it is helpful to have a short guide and inspire new flavor combinations. While there isn’t much traditional about this quesadilla one thing is for certain, be sure to go for a creamy cheese melt.
Combining mozzarella with cheddar or Colby jack gives a creamy melt with a bit of sharpness. And don’t forget to “spill” a little in the pan, those melty cheesy crispy bits are the cook’s snack!
How do you cut your quesadillas? Sometimes I use a big chef’s knife to cut them in one swoop. But I have found that a pizza cutter is even easier and a bit safer for kids too if they are the ones doing the cooking.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
- flour tortillas
- Mozzarella, cheddar, Colby jack, or Pepper jack
- cooked chicken, chopped
- barbecue sauce
Chicken Quesadillas
- In a medium size bowl, toss the chopped chicken with BBQ sauce. Place one tortilla in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Layer half of the cheese, the shredded chicken, and the remaining cheese on top of the tortilla. Place the second tortilla on top and cook for a minute or two.
- When the cheese is melting and the tortilla facing the skillet begins to brown, use a large spatula to carefully flip the tortilla over and cook on the second side for a few minutes.
- When everything has melted together and the tortillas are golden and crisp, remove the quesadilla from the skillet and slice it into wedges. Serve warm.
Quesadilla Recipes
I’m hooked on these Whole Wheat Tortillas and am making quesadillas as frequently as possible. Some of our favorite combinations include:
Loaded Vegetable Quesadillas start with warm crisp tortillas layered with melting cheese and then filled with an abundance of vegetables. They’re absolutely irresistible for snacking or for a meal on their own.
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 2 8-10" flour tortillas
- ½ cup freshly shredded cheese Mozzarella, cheddar, Colby jack, Pepper jack all work well
- ¾ cup cooked chicken chopped into ½-inch pieces
- 2-3 tablespoons barbecue sauce plus more for serving
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, toss the chopped chicken with BBQ sauce. Place one tortilla in a hot skillet over medium-high heat. Layer half of the cheese, the shredded chicken, and the remaining cheese on top of the tortilla. Place the second tortilla on top and cook for a minute or two.
- When the cheese is melting and the tortilla facing the skillet begins to brown, use a large spatula to carefully flip the tortilla over and cook on the second side for a few minutes.
- When everything has melted together and the tortillas are golden and crisp, remove the quesadilla from the skillet and slice it into wedges. Serve warm.
Nutrition
{originally published 9/2/11 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/19/22}
E @ Act Fast Chef says
Yum! I love BBQ chicken and quesadillas. Never thought of putting the two together 😉
Sonia (Nasi Lemak Lover) says
I wish to enjoy this for a simple lunch too.
Sue/the view from great island says
It's true, sometimes the simplest meals are the best. I somehow missed your whole wheat tortilla post, and I'm so excited to try them. I think making the homemade tortilla would elevate any quesadilla to gourmet status. I wish I had found this before my daughter left for college, she'd go crazy for these.
Jenn says
Simple and delicious!!!
Gloria says
Sounds delicious! gloria
My Journey With Candida says
I had to click over and check out the homemade tortillas.
I am planning on making these when I go visit my Granddaughter in her dorm. I have 3 quesadilla makers and am planning on her room mates joining in..
Words Of Deliciousness says
I love quesadillas! We usually eat them with salsa. The barbecued sauce sounds really good. I will have to try it the time I make quesadillas. Thank you for the idea.
peachkins says
I love quesadillas..yours looks delish!
Anna @ hiddenponies says
Looks delicious! We love quesadillas too, we probably have them at least 4 days a week but I've yet to make my own tortillas – might have to change that, yours look perfect!
The Slow Roasted Italian says
These look wonderful. Have to get to work on tortillas!
Tricia @ saving room for dessert says
I love quesadillas but haven't tried BBQ. Great idea that looks delicious
Chris says
These look great. Quesadillas are my secret weapon for using leftovers like a piece of chicken or half a steak.
Grace In Full Measure says
Yum looks so good!
Kris Marie says
Making tonight! So happy I grilled extra chicken last night!!
Mary Younkin says
Yes! Perfect use for leftovers. I always grill extra as well for easy meals and snacks like these.
IBM says
The recipe for the BBQ Chicken Quesadillas calls for layering half the cheese, the {shredded}
chicken, and “the remaining chicken”. Did you mean “the remaining cheese”, or did I miss something?
I have done something similar to this before reading this and didn’t know there was an actual recipe for it, but going to try it. Love your site and your food suggestions.
Mary Younkin says
I did mean remaining cheese. Thank you so much for the note. 🙂 I just adjusted it.