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One of our GO-TO dinner recipes is this chicken quesadilla recipe!
We often find ourselves in need of a quick but yummy dinner or lunch idea, and these quesadillas have saved the day so many times.
Life is just busy sometimes (okay a lot of times)! So we love that these chicken quesadillas are very simple and quick (we’re talking on the table in under 15 minutes). Best part is that the kids now know how to make them – a HUGE win!! Plus they are so easy to customize based on preference.
The added protein makes them even more filling, but we also love our basic cheese quesadillas! Either way, dip them in salsa and sour cream for a quick and tasty dinner!
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Beyond simple. Just a few ingredients and whipped in minutes (perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a snack).
- Versatile. This recipe is a great base for any classic quesadilla. Include the sauce, omit it, or change the shredded chicken for beef or your favorite veggies.
- Great appetizer too! Just cut into bite-sized triangles and they will be devoured in minutes.
Chicken Quesadilla Ingredients and Substitutions
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon taco seasoning – store-bought or Homemade Taco Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce – We like to use mild sauce from Taco Bell or Valentino hot sauce.
- 6 flour tortillas – homemade Flour Tortillas or store-bought (our favorite store bought are LaLa’s, Tortilla Land or Tortilla Fresca – from Costco)
- 2 cups Mexican cheese – or Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Cheddar cheese, Fontina cheese, Gruyere cheese, Havarti cheese, Provolone cheese, Swiss cheese, Pepper Jack cheese
- 2 cups shredded chicken seasoned – about 2 cups. Make Shredded Chicken in a slow cooker, oven Baked Chicken, or shred a rotisserie chicken.
- optional toppings – fresh cilantro, avocado or Guacamole, sour cream, or Pico de Gallo
How to Make a Chicken Quesadilla
- SAUCE. Whisk mayo, taco seasoning, garlic salt, and hot sauce.
- ASSEMBLE. Spread the mixture on one side of a tortilla. Sprinkle the desired amount of shredded seasoned chicken on top, then cheese. Add sauce to a second tortilla and place on top.
- COOK. Heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then put in a hot skillet on the stove, until nice and crisp. If you have any sauce left over, use it for dipping!
- Eat the quesadillas alone or with some favorite dips like Homemade Salsa, Sweet Salsa Verde, Queso Blanco, Cafe Rio Dressing.
- Omit the chicken and sauce for a classic Cheese Quesadilla.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Use your preferred hot sauce. We love our homemade salsa best, but the kids also love the mild sauce from Taco Bell.
- This is a great recipe to use up leftover chicken, make shredded chicken in a crock pot, or shred a rotisserie chicken.
- Adding a bit of olive oil or butter to the skillet can help the tortilla get toasty and golden brown.
- The tortillas make the difference – our favorite store bought are LaLa’s, Tortilla Land or Tortilla Fresca flour tortillas – from Costco.
Chicken Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon taco seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 6 tortillas
- 2 cups Mexican cheese
- 2 cups shredded chicken, seasoned
Instructions
- Whisk mayo, taco seasoning, garlic salt, and hot sauce.
- Spread the mayo mixture on one side of a tortilla. Sprinkle the desired amount of shredded chicken on top, then some cheese. Add sauce to a second tortilla and place on top.
- Heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then put in a hot pan on the stove, until nice and crisp. If you have sauce left over, use it for dipping!
Video
Notes
- Use your preferred hot sauce. We love the mild sauce from Taco Bell, or Lo’s favorite, Valentino.
- This is a great recipe to use up leftover chicken, make shredded chicken in a crock pot, or shred a rotisserie chicken.
- Adding a bit of olive oil or butter to the skillet can help the tortilla get toasty and golden brown.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Assemble as directed and microwave. Allow to cool, place them on a baking sheet, and flash-freeze. Once firm transfer to freezer ziploc and freeze for up to 2 months.
To heat, place frozen quesadilla in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. Transfer to a nonstick pan and finish cooking over medium heat until cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or skillet.
Complete The Meal
Sides
How to Make Guacamole
10 mins
Homemade Salsa
10 mins
Canned Refried Beans
10 mins
Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe
45 mins
Desserts
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This recipe was originally published November 2018.
Which hot sauce is recommended? Sriracha? Frank’s red hot? Tabasco? Which is best for kids. Thanks!
New staple in our house. Thanks!
I’m not a fan of hot sauce. What other sauce can I use to replace it?
I followed the recipe but used the flour tortillas that come in the refrigerator section that you cook yourself. I used one chili pipin crushed and some fresh salsa in mine. First Quesadilla that I have made that I like! Thanks for this recipe!
I tried this, and read the whole thing first. I added a lot of the ingredients you recommended, and had a tasting for our canoeing and kayaking group.They said that we absolutely have to have this for the night we gather, and at least once more on the 2 week + wilderness trips we take each “not winter”. RAVE reviews must be listened to, and they are so very easy, with great selections for each palate, so thanks ever so much for these great recipes!
Your QUESADILLAs are so quick & easy. I never thought to use mayo like you suggest to make a sauce for your chicken quesadilla. Yummy!
Great recipe. Easy to make, easy to follow and very tasty.
I love the recipes you send to my email; however, my printer doesn’t print them. I go through all the steps, nothing gets printed. Am I doing something wrong?
I’ll give this recipe 3 stars for the simplicity. However, in my opinion it lacked flavor. I made for a friend that was taking the quesadillas to work to share. She said that she could only taste the mayo so I tried one and all I could taste was the cheese. I will probably keep this recipe and go stronger on the spices next time. And next time I’ll sample it before making the whole batch.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!!
Made these but cooked chicken tenders seasoned with taco seasoning in pan with little oil and then shredding. Family totally loved and will be in meal rotation
That sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed the quesadillas.
Great
Made these on the fly with some extra chicken and those little street taco soft tortillas. Definitely a hit and super easy, super fast. Another winner in my house. Packing a few for my husband to heat up at lunch as well (added onion and peppers to his.)
Oh yummy!! And that’s a great idea to make a few extras for lunches. So glad they were a hit with the fam!
Very good even for seniors
Delicious! Too lazy to go to the store, had two tortillas and a can of shredded chicken and voila, this recipe. This was simple and very tasty. It’s now in the rotation. Thanks for saving a hungry girls life 🥰
Very simple, delicious and ready for dinner. Great to get the dinner ready after a long day of work and not spend too much time in the kitchen. Do not have to used the oven which is a plus for warm days. My boys loved it.
That was the most disgusting quesadilla I have ever had. I knew a cup of mayo was a trash recipe just like ketchup is not an actual cooking ingredient. It was sour and not creamy, a waste of my time and money for the ingrediants.
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy. Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try.
I love love love the mayo sauce!! I use just the taco seasoning and the mayo and its perfect for me, my family, and my friends!
I searched and read so many recipes looking for a quesadilla sauce and I finally found the one! ThnX LilLuna
Seems like a lot of unnecessary anger over a quesadilla recipe
Agreed! It was very good. The mayo recipe was a surprisingly good with the seasonings. It added flavor.
So true! It was a lot of anger over a simple recipe. Lil’ Luna is known for her exceptional recipes and videos… If you didn’t enjoy the recipe, you could’ve simply said it wasn’t for you, and what you would have done like Comments from Other testers.
“Lose the Hate,& Learn to appreciate!”
Darn auto-correct. I meant to type,,,,, ,P. Anderson,…Disgusting quesadilla ??? To each his own I guess. I thought it was VERY yummy !
Hey you can probably always switch the mayo out for sour cream. What works for some doesn’t always work for others but it’s about innovation and integrity. You never know to swap in one ingredient I’ll make it one of the best quesadillas you’ve ever had.
That was very rude. If you didn’t like something then you have the option of never making it again. It’s very unnecessary leave this kind of comment on someone’s recipe. Obviously other people enjoy it. Have the day you deserve.
Very good and best of all the ingredients are basic and it’s easy to make. I used leftover rotisserie chicken, but made the mistake of adding Mexican seasoning which was way too salty. However, I microwaved them as directed, but then pan fried about 4 minutes per side because I like a crispier tortilla. Also used a smaller tortilla and then just cut it in half, so it was easier for me to flip in the pan. Topped it with salsa, shredded lettuce & sour cream. Delicious!!
Can I dice the chicken up instead of using shredded? Would consistency work?
I used a leftover rotisserie chicken, so diced my meat kind of small, and it worked out really well.
I don’t have taco seasoning. Can I substitute something else or omit it?
You could omit or you could make your own taco seasoning mix. Here is a recipe for that: https://lilluna.com/taco-seasoning/
I want to try this recipe but have a question. What can I replace the hot sauce with? Hot sauce too hot for me.
This recipe is amazing!!! My son was wanting Taco Bell for supper so I thought I’ll try to make my own. This was perfect!! Ended up making one for myself also! ☺️ Thank you
Really easy and delicious. We loved every bite.
Love this. I used leftover fried chicken breast and it was so yummy and easy. Thanks for this recioe
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed the quesadillas! Thanks for sharing what you did.
Would not use the microwave but place on a sheet pan under broiler and flip. The microwave made them soft and then on the stovetop it fell apart and made a big mess.
Thanks for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!
There are very good but how long should I cook them before flipping them. I have made them twice now and both times they are soft.
can you do half mayo and half sour cream?
I’m sure you could!
Hi…can you use rotisserie chicken in this?…
Absolutely!!
Way way too salty!! Would have been great if not for all the salt and I used unsalted butter to fry! Supper was really ruined!
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe. You can always reduce the amount of garlic salt or use low-sodium taco seasoning if you feel it is too salty as is. Thanks for giving the recipe a try!
A lite more explanation would be hpful. Like do you fry them in oil or butter. You don’t explain what to do after you take them out of the microwave. We are not all experts some of us are rookies.
I tweaked the recipe a bit and did 3/4th mayo and 1/4 cream cheese, and used Frank’s Red Hot, and I must say that they were a hit. Quick and easy and delicious!
I’m so glad you liked the quesadillas! Thanks for sharing what you did. Sounds yummy!
Hi Kristyn, I made these a couple of nights ago turned out amazing, big hit with the kids 😊
Hooray!! I’m so so happy to hear it. Thanks for sharing!
Made it last night, so good, and quick. I do have a question. I want to make a some as freeze, but was wondering why you say only good for two months. Thank you for the help.
After that point, they may start to get old and not taste as fresh when heated. So we suggest two months!
I feel the trick is in the chicken. Could you give some info on wendy kind of chicken and spices you used. I always feel mine comes out dry😪
Made these last night for the family and they were delicious. I would have never thought to use mayo in the sauce, but they turned out tasty and the kids loved them!
I love quesadillas and use this recipe so often. It’s easy and delicious!
One of my absolute favorites!
My kids loved these easy quesadillas!! Devoured in record time! Highly recommend!
I am totally not a fan of quesadillas however, this recipe has completely converted me. The sauce is fantastic – a crowd favorite and now mine. Thank you!!!!! Made it with shrimp, some chicken etc. this is a homerun!
YAY!! So so happy to hear that you love the recipe…. that sauce is so good, huh? 🙂 Sounds tasty with shrimp too! Thanks for sharing.
I made these and my boyfriend and I loved them! Definitely making these again soon!!
Hooray! I’m so glad they were a hit. Thanks for giving the recipe a try!
I love these as a quick snack or meal! Good flavor and everyone loves them.
I can make a cheese quesadilla, but wasn’t sure how to do chicken. The combo of ingredients are so delicious.
THese are a staple in our family. We are making these alot lately. All my kids will eat them! That’s a Win, Win!
What is the serving size
A serving size is one tortilla/one quesadilla.
My kids devour these!! They love quesadillas & the love the sauce inside this!
We make these all the time!! I love the sauce!! It adds so much flavor!
We love quesadillas especially with the added chicken. Makes a great light dinner.
I’ve never heard of a recipe telling people to use the microwave 🤔
Ooh we love microwaving these for a little before… it helps the cheese get nice and melty! 🙂
Sauce is a nice addition … used Crystal .. yum!
This came out delicious! It was awesome !
Thank you Much!
You’re welcome! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the quesadillas.
Can you use Miracle Whip or does it need to be Mayo??
Yes, you can definitely use Miracle Whip instead!
Hi, which cheese can I use instead of Mexican cheese?
You can use whichever kind you prefer, if not using Mexican cheese. Monterey Jack, Colby jack or even mozzarella are good options for quesadillas.
Okay but you left out the most important part: how to cook the chicken.
Amazingly easy and delicious! Will be a go-to from now on.
That makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for trying it!
Awesome quesadillas! I added more hot sauce ( I used Sriracha) and topped it all with salsa and sour cream and it was out of this world good! Thanks!
I’m so glad you liked the quesadillas! I love salsa and sour cream for toppings too! 🙂
I made this tonight and, wow. Just wow. Was so delicious! So easy to make and I’m not a fan of cooking. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
I’m so glad you liked it! I’m a big fan of delicious and easy!
These quesadillas are excellent! I made them tonight with your sour cream rice and we all loved them so much! They said I should go to taco bell and teach them how to make their quesadillas. Haha. I did double the seasoning as other people have suggested. Very simple and just so yummy! Thank you 🙂
LOL..love that! Thank you so much for letting me know that!
I wasn’t sure about sauce, but everyone loved them. Kids said best quesadilla they have ever had.
Yay! The sauce makes them that much better, I think. 😉 Glad the kids enjoyed them!
This suace is divine. We double the spices with the same amount of Mayo. My daughter that loves spicy would eat these every day.
These are so easy and sooo yummy!
I was a little skeptical about the sauce but oh my goodness it was DELICIOUS!! My husband was also impressed and said it was the best quesadilla he’s had, he even used additional sauce for dipping. I did saute some onions, green pepper and jalapeno then mixed it with the shredded chicken and put some taco seasoning and garlic salt on the chicken as it cooked. If you haven’t tried this recipe you’re doing your tummy a disservice! I’ve got leftovers so I’m going to try it on flatbread too.
Awe, thank you so much for saying that!! I am so glad you liked it! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this recipe.. This has got to be the best quesadilla recipe !!!! I used both chicken and beef.. And they were amazing… Thank you for the trick with the microwave that made my life so much easier.. If anybody is looking for a quesadilla recipe…look no further !!
They are absolutely delicious.
Awe, thank you for saying that!! Glad you tried them both!
is it 478 calories for 6 serving? How much is it for i one serving?
I am pretty sure that is 478 calories for ONe serving.
So good! I finished them in the oven and it seemed to work pretty well. Next time I’m going to try the pan method. Served some tortilla soup on the side and it was a great dinner! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to share! That’s a great pair! Thank you!
Becoming a favorite for our family, evev my Mexican son-in-law, likes it.
Woohoo! Happy to hear that! Thank you!
This was a nice change. The kids loved it!!
Happy they did!! Thank you for letting me know!
HOW its explaIned was perfect!!!!
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
I felt like there wasn’t much flavor. I’m not sure what to do about that. I like this recipe so I’m going to keep trying until I get what I’m looking for. I added a can of rinsed and drained black beans. Yum!!
You can definitely add more spice & flavors you like. Thank you for trying them!
These weRe so good!
I am so glad you think so 🙂 Thank you for trying them!
Wonderful!
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
DelIcious sauce. Next time, we will use just half the mayo so we don’t eaf so we don’t eat so much mayo.
Thank you for trying this recipe! Yes, you could definitely cut back 🙂
The sauce is unreal! Made these for dinner tonight because i had everything On hand and they were a hit. My kids asked if we couLd have thEm again fOr lunch tomorrow ?
That makes me so happy! Thank you for sharing that!
Everyone Loved them, the sauce is that extra zip!
We loved it!!! Made a few yummy tweaks – used rotis chicken and added saut onions and gr peppers. Loved it!!! ❤️❤️❤️
Perfect!! Thank you for sharing that! Happy you liked them!
Another awesome recipe. My 3 year old loved these. Very gooey and so good. Toodler approved, especially dipped in guacamole.
Woohoo!! Glad when my recipes are toddler approved 🙂 Thank you so much for letting me know!
So yum!
Glad you think so 🙂 Thank you!
I had no idea what was for dinner tonight. Score we had left over chicken from last night. So we gave this a try. It is so yummy! I never would have thought mayo. But it turns out so good.
I am glad you gave them a try! Love when I have ingredients on hand to try something I find! Thank you!
Love love this recipe. Made this reCipe last niGht. So eAsy and Quick, but Yummy. I used already baked chicken that i bought from a grocery store, but i made my own tacos seasoning. I skipped the Hot sauce so i could give it to my toddler. This is my to go recipe for laZy days. Thanks kristyN for the recipe!
You are welcome! Thank you for sharing what you did! Happy you like it!
Such a yummy and quick meal or snack! We LOVED it and that sauce is killer!
Yay! Glad you think so! Thank you!
We loved these! The sauce adds just the flavor. My favorite was how easy it was. I’ve made chicken quesadillas before but I like these with the sauce better. Next time I’ll split the cheese and do half under the chicken and half on top of the chicken to help both sides stick better.
Glad you liked it! Thank you for letting me know & thanks for trying it!
I was i had Some taco bell sauce because I think it would’ve been very similar to their quesadilla.
You know, it does taste kind of like it!
So delicious! We ditched tonights dinner plans to try these, and they did not disappoint! We eat quesadillas a lot, but i was super excited to try the sauce. It reminds me exactly of a certain fast food chain, which means ill be putting it on everything now. Haha! I also love the idea of microwaving it first and then toasting it on the pan. Cut the time in half, which was good news for my hungry toddler, who is packing away his own Quesadilla as we sPEak.
Yay!! Glad you ditched your dinner plans 🙂 Thanks for trying these!! The sauce is my favorite!
this was easy fast tO make! Thanks ❤️
You are welcome!! Glad you think so 🙂
Yummy live quesadillas
We do too! Thank you!
Toddler favourite
Mine love it, too! Thanks for letting me know!
This has been our go to lUnch! I am so glad that i found this recipe so that i could change It up and add some flavor to it.
Glad you found it, too! Thank you!
WOw! These look amazing. That sauce really takes them to a new level. I will use a homemAde taco seasoning mIx
Doesn’t it?! Glad you liked them! Thank you!
Absolutely delicious!!! Thanks I will be COOKing this recipe again!!!
Glad to hear!! Thank you for trying them & for letting me know 🙂
how do you cook the chicken if using thighs
You can cook the same way you’d cook chicken breasts. Which ever way you like to cook chicken, it would still need to be cooked & shredded, no matter what type of chicken.
Could you use sour cream instead of mayo?
You sure could. It would maybe change the taste just a little, but it would still be yummy!
Best quesadillas I’ve had in a long time. Also great midnight snack.
LOL..sure is! Thank you so much for letting me know 🙂
We loved this recipe! I did however double the seasonings! We used a 14.5 oz. can Keystone fully cooked chicken. This is truly easy and delicious!
Glad you liked them! Thank you for sharing that 🙂
What kind of mayo do you use?
I just use regular mayonnaise. I like Best Foods brand, but anything will work.
It was a little more MAYONAISEy than I prefer, but I also dont like the taste of mayo. I added extra hot sauce and a lot more cheese. But they were DELICIOUS!!! Definitely recommend this one!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing that! You can definitely use less mayo next time 🙂
Super easy! Best recipe.
Thank you so much for sharing that!
I made these last nIght they were so good my kids loved it. I cooked some boneless chicken in chicken broth seasoned it with salt n pepper then shrerred the chicken i did the recipe as written added some Taco bell hot sauce, 4 mexican chesse, Taco Cheese in the middle placed on the griddle ADDEd salsa, sour cream and cojita cheese as the FINISHINg TOPPING MY 10 year son said i can eat these everyday
The sauce is delicious!
These were so good my kids loved them i didnt have shrerred chicken so i cooked some BONELESS chicken in broth seasoned with salt n pepper then sherred it i Did the recipe as WRITTEN i used taco BEll hot SAUUCE i added sOME 4 mexican cheese and taco cheese in middle put it on the GRIDDLE topped it with sour cream, salsa, and cojita cheese My 10 year old said he can eat these EVERYDay
Yay!! That is perfect! Thank you so much for sharing that!
Glad you like it! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Pretty good. I season my chicken with adobo. Sauce is nice. Quick tip though I actually cook mine in the waffle maker comes out awesome and almost no clean up
Good tip! Thank you for sharing that!
What Temp did yOu sEt your Waffel maker on when mAking these?
I wouldn’t use a waffle iron, but a pancake griddle would work. I would maybe set it to 300
Hi Kristyn! George Foreman grill works perfectly for these!
Thanks for letting us know!!
Beautiful I love simple yet delicious meals thanks!!
Me too! Glad you liked them! Thank you so much!!
What do you mean by putt it on the stove…in a skillet?
In a skillet on the stove 🙂
Tried these tonight (minus the chicken because I didn’t have any). I’LL admit I was a little nervous about the sauce, but it did make them extra yummy!
Glad you gave them a try! Thank you for letting me know what you thought!
You don’t include recipe for seasoned chicken. What do you season it with. Thank you.
I usually season chicken with a little salt & pepper, sometimes a little garlic salt, or other herbs. Whatever you like 🙂
Such a great flavor!
How do you get shredded seasoned chicken? Thanks!
You can buy it seasoned or I like to add salt, pepper, & maybe a little garlic or dried herbs to mine, as I cook it 🙂 Hope that helps!!
Ok. First I made the sauce. It tasted a little too mayonnaise-y. So I added a little more taco seasoning and hot sauce. We use tapatio. My chicken i seasoned with a little taco seasoning and some chicken flavored seasoning. Placed in a bowl and used my hand mixer to shred it up. Then I mixed everything together with hand mixer just to ensure a good coating. I added 2 TBsp of each nacho cheese and queso cheese from cans. Spread over tortilla, folded in half and used my george Forman panini press to crisp them up. Soooo very delicious!!
So happy you liked them! Thanks for sharing what you did 🙂