Description
These Easy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are a delicious and quick meal, combining tender shredded chicken, tangy BBQ sauce, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and fresh cilantro inside crispy flour tortillas. Perfect for a casual lunch or dinner, they’re simple to make and packed with flavor.
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 (Optional Homemade)
- 1–1½ lbs. chicken tenders
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the filling. In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken with ½ cup of BBQ sauce until the chicken is evenly coated with the sauce, ensuring a balanced flavor in each bite.
- Assemble & cook. Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Place one flour tortilla on the pan while warming. On the tortilla, layer a handful of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, then spread a generous portion of the BBQ chicken mixture, add thinly sliced red onions and chopped cilantro, and sprinkle another layer of cheese on top. Place a second tortilla over the layers. Let the quesadilla cook for a few minutes until the cheese begins to melt and the bottom tortilla becomes golden brown. Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook until the second side is also golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve. Remove the quesadilla from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board. Cut it into 4 to 6 wedges and serve immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
- Optional: How to make shredded chicken at home. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Season 1 to 1½ pounds of chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until cooked through. Using two large forks, shred the cooked chicken finely for use in the quesadilla filling.
Notes
- To make shredded chicken, bake seasoned chicken tenders at 400°F for 15-18 minutes until cooked through and shred with forks.
- For extra flavor, use your favorite BBQ sauce or add a splash of hot sauce to the filling.
- Make sure the pan is hot enough before cooking the quesadilla to get a crispy, golden crust.
- Use flour tortillas for best results; corn tortillas may be too fragile for flipping.
- Serve with a side of sour cream or guacamole for added creaminess.
Keywords: BBQ chicken quesadillas, easy quesadilla recipe, shredded chicken recipe, quick BBQ dinner, cheesy quesadillas