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BBQ chicken quesadillas are my latest obsession - crispy flour tortillas stuffed with tangy shredded BBQ chicken, melted cheese, and fresh cilantro. They hit that perfect sweet spot between quick comfort food and something a little more special than your average weeknight dinner.
I stumbled on this combo last summer when I had leftover BBQ chicken and was craving quesadillas. My kids now beg for these at least once a week - even my picky 8-year-old who normally picks apart everything I make!
Your Shopping List
- Large flour tortillas - the soft taco size works perfectly
- Shredded chicken - rotisserie chicken is my weeknight shortcut
- Your favorite BBQ sauce - we love Sweet Baby Ray's in our house
- Monterey Jack cheese - grab a block and shred it yourself
- Red onion - slice it super thin
- Fresh cilantro - don't skip this, it adds so much freshness
- Butter for the pan - creates that gorgeous golden crust
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Let's Make Them!
- Get Your Filling Ready:
- Toss your shredded chicken with enough BBQ sauce to coat it well
- Slice that onion paper-thin using a sharp knife
- Rough chop the cilantro, stems and all
- Freshly grate your cheese - it melts so much better than pre-shredded
- Heat & Assemble:
- Get your pan nice and hot over medium heat
- Add a small pat of butter and let it melt
- Lay down your first tortilla and quickly top with cheese
- Add your BBQ chicken, sprinkle with onions and cilantro
- More cheese on top (because why not?)
- Cap it with the second tortilla
- Cook to Golden Perfection:
- Let it cook until the bottom is golden brown and crispy
- Here's the tricky part - flip it carefully!
- Cook the other side until it matches
- Slide onto a cutting board and let it rest for a minute
Last week I made these for my son's baseball team and ended up having to write down the recipe for five different parents. The secret MVP ingredient? A little butter in the pan instead of oil - it makes the tortillas absolutely perfect.
Pro Tips
- Need to make a bunch? Keep them warm in a 200°F oven
- Double the recipe and freeze some for later
- Set up a toppings bar with extra BBQ sauce, ranch, and sour cream
Let me share how I jazz these quesadillas up sometimes! After making these literally hundreds of times (no joke), I've discovered some killer variations that keep things interesting.
Making These Your Own
- Try different BBQ sauces to change up the flavor - honey chipotle BBQ makes these insanely good
- Add a handful of corn kernels or black beans for extra texture
- Feeling spicy? Toss in some diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne
- Mix up your cheeses - pepper jack adds a nice kick
My husband came up with the genius idea of adding caramelized onions instead of raw - takes a bit longer but wow, what a difference!
Storing & Reheating
- Storage:
- Wrap leftover quesadillas in foil and refrigerate
- Reheating:
- Reheat in a dry skillet over medium heat - microwaving makes them soggy
- Freezing:
- If freezing, wrap uncooked quesadillas individually in plastic wrap
- They'll keep frozen for about a month
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Quick Tips From My Kitchen Disasters
- If your cheese isn't melting before the tortilla browns, your heat's too high
- Struggling with flipping? Use two spatulas
- Tortillas cracking? They might be old or need warming first
- If the filling keeps falling out, you're probably overstuffing
Perfect Pairings
- A simple green salad with lime vinaigrette
- Mexican-style street corn
- Fresh pico de gallo
- Creamy coleslaw for crunch
Just last weekend I served these at my daughter's birthday party. Even the pickiest kids were grabbing seconds, and one mom texted me at midnight asking for the recipe!
The great thing about these quesadillas is that they're so forgiving. Had a rough day and the tortilla tears? Just add more cheese - it'll glue everything together. Kids don't like onions? Leave them out. The basic combo of BBQ chicken and melty cheese in a crispy tortilla is pretty much foolproof.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use leftover chicken?
- Yes, any cooked, shredded chicken works great
- → What cheese works best?
- Monterey jack melts well, but cheddar or Mexican blend work too
- → Can I make these ahead?
- Best served fresh and hot for crispy texture
- → What BBQ sauce should I use?
- Any favorite BBQ sauce works - sweet, spicy, or smoky
- → How do I keep tortillas crispy?
- Cook on medium-high heat and don't overfill