BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
What is better than a crispy tortilla loaded with tender chicken and tons of cheese? The addition of BBQ sauce and bacon of course! This BBQ Chicken Quesadilla is a quick and easy meal everyone will love!
My go-to meal for busy weeknights is chicken quesadillas. We always have some leftover chicken, sometimes it is grilled, shredded, roasted, or even leftover chicken tenders. Simply take the chicken, add cheese and your favorite add-ins and you have a meal even your pickiest eater will love.
Today I’m sharing a fun twist on a regular chicken quesadilla, and the kids are going to love it. The addition of BBQ sauce, red onion, cilantro, and bacon takes this dish to an entirely new level. Below you will find the ultimate guide to making the best chicken quesadilla!
What you’ll love about this BBQ chicken quesadilla recipe:
- KID FRIENDLY – Adjust the recipe as needed for your kiddos, at the minimum I’m sure they will love this recipe sans red onion and cilantro!
- CONVENIENT: – Since any kind of cooked chicken can be used and the type of cheese can easily be switched this is a very convenient recipe.
- INEXPENSIVE – a true budget-friendly recipe this requires basic ingredients you probably keep on hand. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs to reduce the cost even more.
Ingredients
This is a simple meal that hits all the right notes! These quesadillas are the perfect blend of smokey BBQ flavor and cheesy goodness! To make the perfect chicken quesadilla you will need:
- Tortilla: you can use regular, almond flour, gluten-free or low-carb tortillas in this recipe. We used gluten free Mission tortillas.
- Chicken: any variety will do! See the notes below for more specific suggestions.
- BBQ Sauce: use your favorite BBQ sauce. If you are low-carb or keto use a sugar-free variety.
- Bacon: cooked, crumbled bacon is needed. This can be store-bought or homemade.
- Cheese: shredded gouda cheese, but another variety such as sharp cheddar cheese or colby jack cheese works as well.
- Red onion and Cilantro: these are optional ingredients but add a great kick!
How to make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
In addition to the ingredients listed above you will need a large skillet. It is also handy to have a cutting board and a good sharp knife. To make the best crispy quesadilla follow the tutorial
Layer Ingredients
Lay the tortilla of your choosing on a flat surface so you can easily slide it into the skillet. Spread the BBQ sauce on half of the tortilla. Top the tortilla with shredded gouda cheese. Next, add the cooked chicken breast slices, bacon, finely chopped red onion, and cilantro. Be mindful not to spread the ingredients too close to the edge, otherwise, they will spill out as the dish cooks.
Cook until Crispy
Heat a large skillet to medium heat. When the pan is nice and hot add a bit of butter to the skillet and carefully slide the tortilla into the hot skillet. Cook the tortilla open for 2-3 minutes until the bottom side of the tortilla begins to brown and the cheese has melted. Then carefully fold one side of the tortilla over the chicken side of the tortilla with a spatula. Cook until the tortilla is crispy and brown enough for your liking. Cut into pieces with a pizza cutter and serve immediately.
Serve
We love these cheesy quesadillas with homemade potato chips, crispy sweet potato wedges, simple zucchini fries, or creamy Instant Pot mac and cheese for a kid-friendly meal.
What kind of chicken should I use?
This is the best part, any chicken will do! You can use sliced, shredded, or cubed chicken (though the chunks make it a little more difficult to eat). Here are some of our favorite options for using in this recipe:
- Rotisserie Chicken: grab a seasoned, cooked rotisserie chicken from the store for the ultimate shortcut.
- Instant Pot Chicken: a quick and easy way to cook a whole chicken while keeping it super juicy! You can also cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot.
- Breaded Chicken: this can be a homemade chicken tender or your favorite frozen variety.
- Shredded Chicken: allow the slow cooker to do the work for you
How do you keep quesadillas from getting soggy?
The trick to keeping quesadillas from getting soggy is to make sure you don’t overload them with wet ingredients. This is why I suggest a minimal amount of BBQ sauce spread on the tortilla instead of tossing the chicken in the sauce. This is enough to give great flavor without compromising the texture of the whole dish. Remember, you can always dip your quesadilla in the sauce as you eat!
Another tip is to place the cooked quesadillas on a wire rack instead of a plate, this prevents any moisture from building up under the hot tortilla.
Storage Instructions
- Make sure it’s fully cooled before putting it in the fridge. You don’t want to create any condensation that could make the wrap soggy.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil (perfect if you plan to reheat it in the air fryer or oven).
- You can also add a small piece of paper towel to absorb any excess moisture.
- When you’re ready to eat it, simply unwrap it and enjoy! It’s a great option for a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
More Quesadilla Recipes
- Keto Quesadilla – The cheesy shell gets nice and crispy without all the carbs!
- Steak Quesadilla – You’ll love the juicy bites of steak throughout this cheesy, easy dish.
- Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla – Another family favorite and great way to use up leftover chicken!
- Breakfast Quesadilla – A buttery, crisp tortilla is the perfect addition to fluffy eggs, melty cheese, and juicy ham.
- Avocado Quesadilla – The perfect light meal for Meatless Mondays!
Get the Recipe: BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 1 large burrito-sized flour tortilla , low carb or gluten free tortillas work as well
- 1/2 tablespoon butter , unsalted
- 2 tablespoons BBQ Sauce, We used G Hughes to make it low-carb
- 1/3 cup Gouda cheese, shredded
- 2/3 cup cooked chicken, sliced or shredded
- 2 tablespoons cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon each red onion and cilantro , optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Spread the BBQ sauce evenly over half of the tortilla, leaving a little space around the edge so that it doesn’t spill out during cooking. Sprinkle cheese over the sauce, then place the chicken and bacon on half the tortilla in a single layer. On the other side of the tortilla add the red onion and cilantro.
- Melt butter in a large skillet on medium heat, then add the prepared tortilla. Allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes. Once it’s golden brown, flip the meatless side over to cover the chicken. Flip and cook until both sides are perfectly toasted to a beautiful golden brown.
