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.
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!