Chicken Quesadilla
Quick, melty Chicken Quesadilla with golden, crispy tortillas and gooey cheese—perfect for lunch, after-school snacks, or a fast family dinner. Simple to customize with leftovers and ready in minutes on the stovetop or griddle.
Ready to serve those picky eaters something more than chicken nuggets and french fries? Well then you’ve got to check out this delicious chicken quesadilla recipe! This ooey gooey cheese and chicken packed dish never gets old. It’s family friendly and turns out so tasty every single time. The chicken is seasoned with taco seasoning and salsa, giving it the most delightful flavor. It’s key to making the best chicken and cheese quesadillas.
My cheese quesadilla is always a go-to option for a quick lunch or super easy dinner. But when I want to pack in some more protein and flavor, then I turn to this chicken quesadilla. This simple chicken quesadilla recipe recipe is always a hit and tastes far better than anything you could get from a drive thru. You’re going to love this tasty homemade dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Change up this recipe with different types of vegetables, meat and other additions. It’s really easy to adjust the recipe to your personal preferences.
- This cheesy chicken quesadilla is a totally kid-friendly meal. You can even slice it up into small pieces so that it’s easier for those little hands to grab and eat.
- It only takes 30 minutes to make a super flavorful chicken quesadilla. Throw this together on a busy evening and dinner is on the table before you know it.
Ingredients For Chicken Quesadilla
- Flour tortillas – Any flour tortillas from the grocery store will work for this quesadilla. You can also use homemade tortillas or corn tortillas. If you choose corn tortillas, make sure you buy the big ones, not the small street taco size!
- Taco seasoning – You can use either store-bought taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning. Season up the chicken mixture for the best flavor.
- Chicken breast – Cube up some boneless skinless chicken breasts. You can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs. You can save some time by using pre-cooked shredded chicken or even shredding a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Just be sure to toss it in the taco seasoning and salsa, then spoon the chicken mixture into the tortilla to heat up.
- Shredded Mexican cheese – Use a different type of shredded cheese if you want. Cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, and Colby jack will all work great.
- Olive oil – Use olive oil, or another neutral oil to cook the quesadilla and get the tortillas golden brown and crispy.
- Salsa – This is my secret ingredient to the most delicious chicken quesadilla. Use your favorite storebought or make it homemade.
Can I Add Anything To The Chicken Quesadilla?
Yes! You can make tons of different variations of this easy chicken quesadilla. From veggies to herbs, there are many ways to change up this quesadilla. Some of my favorite additions include:
- Black beans
- Pinto beans
- Sour cream
- Caramelized onions
- Sauteed bell pepper
- Mushrooms
- Jalapeños
- Corn
- Fresh cilantro
- Tomatoes
- Avocado, mashed or diced
How To Make Quesadillas
Cube the chicken breast into small pieces and then place them all into a medium mixing bowl. Add the taco seasoning to the chicken and mix until well coated.
Add one tablespoon of the olive oil onto the skillet and then once hot, place the seasoned chicken in the skillet. Sauté the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until it’s browned slightly.
Top chicken with salsa and toss to thoroughly coat. Continue to cook the chicken for approximately 3-4 more minutes, until the internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer it to a plate. Reduce the temperature of the skillet to medium low.
To assmble quesadillas, lay a tortilla flat on a cutting board. Spread some cheese on half the tortilla, then layer some of the chicken on top, and top off with more cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to make a half moon shape.
Once all the quesadillas are put together, put the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet and add 2 of the filled tortillas to the skillet at a time.
Cook until one side of the tortilla is golden brown. Then flip and then cook until the other side is golden brown as well. Watch closely as the tortilla will brown pretty quickly.
Transfer the quesadillas to a cutting board, then slice and serve immediately!
Pro Tips
- If you choose to cook the quesadilla in butter, it is really important to ensure that your pan is not too hot or the butter could burn.
- Make sure the skillet is hot enough to let the cheese melt, but not so hot as to burn the tortilla.
- If you do a day of meal prep before the start of the week, prepare the chicken ahead of time so you can assemble these quesadillas in no time!
Make this easy quesadilla with just six simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time. It’s so easy to love such a quick recipe plus the kids can help with assembly!
Chicken Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast diced into small cubes
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 package)
- 2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese
- ¼ cup salsa
- 4 flour tortillas burrito size
Instructions
- Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cut the chicken into small cubes and put in a medium mixing bowl. Add the taco seasoning to the chicken and mix until all the chicken is coated.
- Spread 1 Tablespoon of olive oil onto the skillet. Place the chicken in the skillet in an even layer. Sauté the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until it's browned slightly.
- Then top the chicken with salsa and toss the chicken to thoroughly coat the chicken with the salsa. Continue to cook the chicken until it's cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit) for approximately 3-4 more minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Reduce the temperature to medium-low.
- Lay a tortilla flat on a cutting board. Spread some cheese on half the tortilla, then put some of the chicken on top of the cheese, top off with more cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to make a half moon shape.
- Once all the quesadillas are put together, put the remaining 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet and add 2 of the tortillas to the skillet at a time.
- Cook until one side of the tortilla is golden brown (2-3 minutes). Flip and then cook until the other side is golden brown as well (2-3 minutes). Watch them closely as they brown quickly.
- Remove the quesadillas onto a cutting board. Slice and serve immediately
Notes
Nutrition
Storage And Reheating
Fridge: Allow leftover quesadillas to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container or wrap in a plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also store them zip top plastic bags. Store for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Chicken quesadillas freeze really well! Freeze on a baking sheet lined in parchment paper and then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container.
For the best results, reheat quesadillas in the oven or on the stove top. In the oven, just bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes until fully warmed through. On the stove top, just add some olive oil to a pan and heat on both sides until the tortilla crisps back up, cheese is gooey, and the chicken is warmed through.
You can also reheat a quesadilla in the air fryer to get a nice crispy shell! I don’t recommend using the microwave because the quesadilla will turn out soggy.
How To Serve Chicken Quesadilla
Serve this easy quesadilla with other kid-friendly favorites! Italian Soda is a tasty beverage to serve with it, and things like Energy Balls and No Bake Peanut Butter Cereal Bars would be a great dessert/snack to pair with this quesadilla.
I love dipping my quesadilla in some warm Queso, some Guacamole, or my favorite Salsa. It also goes great with side dishes like Spanish Rice and Roasted Broccoli.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- This yummy Pizza Toast is quite possibly one of the best little recipes ever. So easy and super duper tasty for a quick snack or meal.
- Make some Grilled Cheese Roll Ups when your kiddos are craving a gooey, cheesy classic sandwich. They’re perfect for dipping in soup!
- Spaghetti Tacos may sound super silly, but they’re actually incredibly tasty. Such a fun recipe inspired by the kids’ show iCarly!
- Make some Slow Cooker Chicken and Noodles when you need a dinner recipe to dump in the crock pot. It’s comfort food at it’s finest and ready when you need to eat.
Can chicken quesadilla be baked in oven instead of frying in skillet?
Yes, you can bake chicken quesadillas in the oven! Assemble them, place on a baking sheet, brush with oil, and bake at 400°F for 8–10 minutes per side until golden and crispy.