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This easy, cheesy chicken quesadilla is a crowd favorite. Filled with a delicious homemade sauce, these hand-held bites are irresistible!
Served with a little Homemade Salsa and a side of Homemade Spanish Rice Recipe, this chicken quesadilla makes for a tasty and filling meal!
Our Favorite Quesadilla
One of our go-to dinner recipes are these quesadillas! They’re a favorite for so many reasons:
- 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, add shredded chicken, shredded beef, or your favorite veggies.
- Great appetizer too! Just cut into bite-sized triangles and they will be devoured in minutes.
QUesadilla Ingredient
I recommend using a combination of Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheese for the perfect melty cheese (pre-packaged cheese has a wax over it and does not melt as well, so we do not recommend it), but other cheeses that can be used include:
- Monterey Jack cheese, Mozzarella cheese, Cheddar cheese, Fontina cheese, Gruyere cheese, Havarti cheese, Provolone cheese, Swiss cheese, Pepper Jack cheese
Other ingredients needed include:
- Tortillas (homemade or store bought) – both work great, but we prefer homemade.
- Shredded Chicken – you will need about 2 cups for this recipe.
- Sauce: mayonnaise, taco seasoning, hot sauce, garlic salt
A Quick Lunch or Dinner!
- SAUCE. Whisk together the taco seasoning, mayo, hot sauce, and garlic salt in a bowl. Spread the mixture onto one side of a tortilla.
- LAYER. Add your desired amount of shredded chicken and cheese to the tortilla. Add a layer of the sauce onto another tortilla and place that on top (or you can use one tortilla and fold it over).
- COOK.
- Microwave. Cook your quesadilla in the microwave first for about 20 seconds. This will help the cheese get extra melty.
- Stovetop. Then place the quesadilla in a large pan or skillet on the stove until it gets brown and crispy.
Just omit the chicken and sauce for a classic Cheese Quesadilla.
Alternative cooking methods
The oven and air fryer are even more options:
- Oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Butter the tortillas and assemble them according to the recipe. Bake for 4-5 minutes then flip and bake for another 4-5 minutes or until the tortillas are crisp and the cheese has melted.
- Air fryer. Be sure that the tortillas will fit in the air fryer. Mist the tortillas with cooking spray to help it crisp up. Use toothpicks to secure the top tortilla to the bottom otherwise the air circulation from the air fryer can cause it to move around. Place the quesadilla in the fryer and cook at 350°F for 6-8 minutes.
Recipe Tips + DIPS
Variations. However, it is also super easy to add in vegetables and other flavors to make it uniquely yours.
- Vegetables. cooked mushrooms, baby spinach, fresh corn, diced green chilies, red bell peppers, red onions or shallots, and diced tomato
- Toppings. cilantro, avocado or Guacamole, sour cream, or Pico de Gallo
- Fillings. black beans or sliced olives
- Protein. grilled steak, shredded beef, ground beef or pork
- Spices. sprinkle on smoked paprika, and add a bit of heat with crushed red peppers
great Dips for Quesadillas:
storing info
STORE leftover shredded chicken quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat. No one likes a soggy quesadilla. The best way to reheat it and still keep the outside crispy is to use a nonstick pan over medium heat.
- When the pan is hot place the quesadilla in the pan. Heat for 1-2 minutes on each side until the cheese has melted and the tortilla is crispy once again.
Make ahead and freeze. Follow the recipe for chicken quesadilla as usual. Once you have heated the quesadillas in the microwave, place them on a cookie sheet. Flash-freeze them until firm. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat, place frozen quesadilla in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Transfer to a nonstick pan and finish cooking over medium heat until cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
For more recipes:
Quesadilla Recipe
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 together mayo, taco seasoning, garlic salt, and hot sauce. NOTE: You can use whatever hot sauce you prefer. We love to keep around the mild sauce from Taco Bell, so I always use that plus my husband's favorite, Valentino.
- Spread mixture on one side of tortilla. Sprinkle desired amount of shredded chicken on top, then cheese. Add sauce to a second tortilla and place on top.
- Heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then put on the stove, until nice a crisp. If you have sauce left over, use for dipping!
Video
Notes
- When the pan is hot place the quesadilla in the pan. Heat for 1-2 minutes on each side until the cheese has melted and the tortilla is crispy once again.
- Transfer to a nonstick pan and finish cooking over medium heat until cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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!