BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe

There's something magical about biting into a crispy tortilla filled with tender chicken, melted cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce. This BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe has become my go-to when I need dinner on the table fast, and trust me, it never disappoints. Whether you're feeding hungry kids after soccer practice or hosting friends for game day, these cheesy BBQ chicken quesadillas hit the spot every single time.

I've been making this BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe for years, and it's saved me countless times when the clock strikes 6 PM and I'm staring at an empty kitchen. The best part? You probably have most ingredients sitting in your fridge right now. Let's make something your whole family will ask for again and again.

What Makes This BBQ Chicken Recipe Special

This isn't just another weeknight quesadilla; it's the kind of meal that makes you feel like a kitchen genius without breaking a sweat. The combination of smoky barbecue sauce with gooey melted cheese creates flavor layers that regular chicken quesadillas just can't match. I discovered this BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe after a particularly busy week when I had leftover rotisserie chicken and a half-empty bottle of BBQ sauce staring at me from the fridge.

What sets this family friendly dinner idea apart is how the barbecue sauce caramelizes slightly when you cook the quesadillas, creating these crispy, golden spots that add incredible texture. Plus, you can throw this together in one skillet without dirtying up your entire kitchen. The grilled chicken BBQ quesadillas work beautifully alongside Mexican rice, a fresh salad, or even just some sour cream and salsa for dipping. I've served this at backyard parties, thrown it together for lunch, and even packed leftovers for work the next day.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Expert Cooking Tips
• Recipe Variations & Substitutions
• Equipment Recommendations
• H2: Storage & Meal Prep Tips
• The Secret That Changed Everything
• FAQ
• Time to Make Your Next Family Favorite
• Related
• Pairing
• BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients

For the BBQ Chicken Filling:

• Cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• BBQ sauce
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Bell pepper, diced
• Shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)

For Assembly:

• Large flour tortillas
• Butter

Optional Toppings:

• Extra BBQ sauce
• Sour cream
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced jalapeños

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare the BBQ Chicken Mixture

1. Grab a medium mixing bowl and add your shredded chicken.
2. Pour in the BBQ sauce and mix until every piece of chicken is well coated.
3. Toss in the sliced onions and diced peppers, stirring everything together.
4. Taste the mixture and add more BBQ sauce if you want it saucier (I usually do).
5. Set this aside while you prep your workspace.

Expert tip: If your chicken is cold from the fridge, warm the BBQ chicken mixture in a skillet for 2-3 minutes before assembling. This helps the cheese melt faster and more evenly.

Assemble Your Quesadillas

1. Lay out one tortilla on a clean surface or cutting board.
2. Sprinkle about ½ cup of shredded cheese on one half of the tortilla.
3. Spread a generous portion of the BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese.
4. Add another layer of cheese on top of the chicken (yes, double cheese is the secret).
5. Fold the tortilla in half, pressing down gently to seal.
6. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Pro move: Don't overstuff these. I learned the hard way that too much filling makes them impossible to flip without creating a mess. Keep the filling about ½ inch from the edges.

Cook to Golden Perfection

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add about ½ tablespoon of butter.
2. Once the butter melts and starts to sizzle, carefully place one quesadilla in the pan.
3. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown and crispy.
4. Flip carefully using a wide spatula and cook the other side for another 3 minutes.
5. Remove from heat when both sides are golden and the cheese has melted completely.
6. Repeat with remaining quesadillas, adding more butter as needed.

Temperature matters: Keep your heat at medium. Too hot and you'll burn the tortilla before the cheese melts. Too low and you'll end up with a soggy quesadilla instead of a crispy one.

Slice and Serve

1. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
2. Transfer the cooked quesadilla to a cutting board and let it rest for 1-2 minutes.
3. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to slice into 3-4 wedges.
4. Arrange on a serving plate with your favorite toppings.

Expert Cooking Tips

Getting the Perfect Crispiness

• The key to restaurant-quality crispy tortilla quesadilla is proper heat management. Start your skillet on medium heat and give it a full minute to warm up before adding butter. When the butter foams but hasn't browned yet, that's your sweet spot. I press down gently with my spatula while cooking; this helps the cheese spread and creates better contact with the pan for even browning.

Cheese Selection Strategy

• The best cheese for chicken quesadillas creates that perfect cheese pull we all crave. I usually combine sharp cheddar for flavor with Monterey Jack for meltability. If you want extra stretch in your photos, add some mozzarella. For a fancy twist, mix in a bit of pepper jack; it adds just enough kick without overwhelming kids.

Chicken Preparation Shortcuts

• Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is your best friend for quick weeknight meal prep
• Leftover grilled chicken works beautifully; just chop it up and toss with sauce
• If using raw chicken, season it with smoked paprika before cooking for deeper flavor
• Canned chicken in a pinch; drain it well and it'll work just fine

Make-Ahead Magic

• Prep the BBQ chicken mixture up to 2 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in your fridge. This makes throwing together these easy weeknight quesadillas even faster. You can also shred your cheese ahead of time and keep it ready to go.

Common Mistakes to Dodge

• Don't skip the resting period after cooking. Those 1-2 minutes let the cheese set slightly so it doesn't all ooze out when you cut. Also, resist the urge to press down hard with your spatula; gentle pressure is all you need. And please, don't use cooking spray instead of butter; the butter is what creates that irresistible golden crust.

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Dietary Modifications

• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap regular tortillas for low-carb or keto tortillas (they work surprisingly well). Use sugar-free BBQ sauce and load up on extra cheese. You can also make these into chicken and cheese quesadilla bowls by skipping the tortilla entirely and just mixing everything together.
• Gluten-Free Option: Most BBQ sauces are naturally gluten-free, but check your label. Use certified gluten-free tortillas. The cooking method stays exactly the same, though gluten-free tortillas sometimes need an extra 30 seconds per side.
• Vegetarian Twist: Replace chicken with black beans and corn. The BBQ sauce still works wonderfully, creating a sweet and smoky plant-based meal. Add some cumin for extra depth.

Flavor Variations

• Buffalo BBQ Fusion: Mix half BBQ sauce with half buffalo sauce for spicy chicken quesadilla magic. Add blue cheese crumbles alongside your regular cheese. This combination is incredible for game day chicken snacks.
• Honey BBQ Style: Use honey BBQ chicken quesadilla sauce and add some crispy bacon bits to the filling. The sweet and savory combo is addictive. Sprinkle a tiny bit of brown sugar on the outside before cooking for extra caramelization.
• Hawaiian BBQ: Toss in some diced pineapple and ham with your BBQ chicken. Sounds weird, tastes amazing. The pineapple adds a juicy sweetness that plays perfectly with the tangy barbecue sauce recipe.
• Loaded BBQ Style: Add sautéed mushrooms, jalapeños, and a handful of fresh cilantro to your filling. Top with a drizzle of ranch dressing after cooking. This turns your simple BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe into a restaurant-worthy creation.
• Breakfast Version: Use scrambled eggs, BBQ chicken, and cheese. Add some diced tomatoes and serve with salsa verde. Perfect for using up leftover BBQ chicken quesadillas from dinner.

Equipment Recommendations

• Large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan (10-12 inches); cast iron gives better crisping but non-stick prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier
• Wide spatula (metal for cast iron, silicone for non-stick); you need something sturdy enough to flip loaded quesadillas confidently
• Sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean slicing; a pizza wheel gives you perfect wedges every time
• Mixing bowls (one medium size is enough); any bowl works, but a wider one makes mixing the BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe filling easier
• Cutting board (preferably wood or plastic that won't dull your knife); use this for both prep and serving
• Kitchen tongs (optional but helpful for flipping); gives you more control than a spatula alone

Budget-Friendly Alternatives: Don't have cast iron? A regular skillet works perfectly fine. No pizza cutter? A sharp chef's knife does the job. The only truly essential item is a decent skillet; everything else you can improvise.

H2: Storage & Meal Prep Tips

Refrigerator Storage

• Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in aluminum foil for up to 3 days. Keep them whole rather than pre-sliced; they stay fresher that way. When you're ready to eat, reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side until crispy again. Avoid the microwave if possible; it makes them soggy.

Freezer Storage

• These BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe creations freeze beautifully for up to 2 months. Let them cool completely after cooking, then wrap each one individually in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Label with the date. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and warm in a skillet, or go straight from frozen to a 375°F oven for 15-20 minutes.

Meal Prep Strategy

• Cook a double batch on Sunday and you've got lunches sorted for the week. You can also prep the chicken mixture and shredded cheese separately, storing them in containers. When you're ready to eat, just assemble and cook fresh; takes 5 minutes. For the ultimate time-saver, prep the complete uncooked quesadillas, stack them with parchment paper between each one, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking.

FAQ

Time to Make Your Next Family Favorite

These cheesy BBQ chicken quesadillas have earned their spot as a regular in my dinner rotation, and I'm betting they'll do the same for you. The combination of tangy barbecue sauce, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas creates something way better than the sum of its parts. Plus, when you can get dinner on the table in 20 minutes without sacrificing flavor, that's what I call a win.

Now that you've mastered this BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe, why stop here? Try my Caesar Sandwich Recipe for another quick lunch idea that'll impress your family, or dive into my Cheesy Turkey Casserole Recipe when you're craving something warm and comforting for dinner. Both recipes use simple ingredients you probably have on hand and deliver that same homemade satisfaction. Give this BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe a try tonight, snap a photo of those gorgeous cheese pulls, and let me know how it turns out!

With love from my kitchen to yours
By Lisa Johnson💌

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