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 which is 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
- Mayonnaise (1 cup) – Mayonnaise makes a creamy spread that melts into the tortillas and helps every bite taste rich and flavorful.
- Taco seasoning (½ teaspoon)- The seasoning adds an easy blend of chili, cumin, and spices for classic quesadilla flavor. Use store-bought or Homemade Taco Seasoning.
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes (¼ teaspoon) – Garlic salt seasons the sauce and enhances the savory notes in the chicken and cheese.
- Hot sauce (2 teaspoons) – Hot sauce brings gentle heat and tang; you control the kick with your favorite brand. We like to use mild sauce from Taco Bell or Valentino hot sauce.
- Flour tortillas (6)- Tortillas crisp up in the skillet, giving you that golden exterior and sturdy fold. Use homemade Flour Tortillas or store-bought.
- Mexican cheese (2 cups)- Mexican cheese melts smoothly and is stretchy, or use Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Cheddar cheese, Fontina cheese, Gruyere cheese, Havarti cheese, Provolone cheese, Swiss cheese, Pepper Jack cheese.
- Shredded chicken seasoned (2 cups) – Chicken adds protein and makes the quesadillas hearty enough for dinner. 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 Chicken Quesadillas
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!
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 a difference. Our favorite store bought are LaLa’s, Tortilla Land, or Tortilla Fresca flour tortillas from Costco.
- Eat the quesadillas alone or with some favorite dips like Homemade Salsa, Sweet Salsa Verde, Queso Blanco, Cafe Rio Dressing.
Chicken Quesadilla
Video
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!
Notes
- 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 a difference. Our favorite store bought are LaLa’s, Tortilla Land, or Tortilla Fresca flour tortillas from Costco.
- Eat the quesadillas alone or with some favorite dips like Homemade Salsa, Sweet Salsa Verde, Queso Blanco, Cafe Rio Dressing, or double the amount of Mayo mixture and serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.
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
Arroz con Leche
45 mins
Homemade Churro Recipe
35 mins
Homemade Sopapillas
40 mins
Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
4 hrs 45 mins
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This recipe was originally published November 2018.
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!