Easy to Make Ultimate BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
These BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are loaded with tender chicken, sweet pineapple, gooey cheese, and zesty sauce. They’re delicious for a quick lunch or dinner, or even as a hearty appetizer.
If you’re looking for the perfect lunch or dinner without the hassle of a lot of cooking, you’re going to love this easy recipe for chicken quesadillas!
We love unique quesadilla ideas like making these with BBQ chicken. Consider making them with leftover shredded braised beef or shredded Guinness pork ribs, too! That’s the great thing about this recipe – there are endless filling options for using leftovers!
Tender shredded chicken is mixed with tangy BBQ sauce with layers of melted cheese and sliced pineapple, all sandwiched between crispy tortillas. They’re quick, easy and simply delicious!
These quesadillas are incredibly versatile, too. Serve them as a main dish with sides like coleslaw, black beans, or alongside chips and this authentic Mexican salsa or fresh peach salsa. They’re also perfect for parties as a hot, savory appetizer that your friends and family will love.
Why We Love Saucy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
- Fun twist: The BBQ and pineapple add a sweet and tangy flavor twist to Mexican-style traditional quesadillas.
- Easy to prepare: Made with simple ingredients, they’re an easy dinner idea that only takes minutes to make.
- Delicious flavors: With chicken, cheese, BBQ, and pineapple, no one will be able to resist them. They’ll be a new family favorite.
What Goes into Easy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Shredded chicken: You can keep things super easy and use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Barbecue sauce: You can make your own homemade sauce or use any of your favorite BBQ sauce brands
Smoked paprika: This gives them a subtle, smoky flavor.
Pineapple: Thinly sliced sweet and juicy pineapple balances out the flavors in the tangy BBQ sauce.
Soft tortillas: You can use flour tortillas, whole wheat tortillas, or low-carb tortillas.
Cheddar cheese: You can use sharp or mild cheddar.
Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese: We used cheddar, but you can use any melty cheese. Monterey jack or pepper jack pairs well with the BBQ sauce.
- Veggies: Sauteed red onion and bell pepper slices make great additions.
- Add some heat: If you like a spicy quesadilla, add fresh jalapeño slices. The spiciness works well with the sweet pineapple and the smoky BBQ sauce.
- Toppings: These quesadillas are delicious just the way they are, but you can add any of your favorite toppings. You can add a dollop of sour cream, a drizzle of ranch dressing, or extra BBQ sauce over the top of each one.
- Fresh herbs: Sprinkle some freshly chopped cilantro or parsley over the chicken mixture before closing the quesadilla for a pop of fresh flavor.
How to Make BBQ Quesadillas
Step 1. In a large bowl, mix chicken, BBQ sauce, and paprika. Divide the mixture into 4 portions.
Step 2. Slice the pineapple into strips.
Step 3. Take a grill pan or a non-stick large skillet. Place one flour tortilla in it. Sprinkle about 4 tablespoons of cheese.
Step 4. Spread 1 portion of the chicken mixture.
Step 5. Add pineapple strips.
Step 6: Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of cheese again. Cover it with a second tortilla.
Step 7. Turn on the heat to medium low and heat until some golden brown spots form.
Use a wide spatula to flip it, then cook the second side for a couple of minutes. Repeat the same with all other tortillas.
Step 7. Place the quesadilla on a cutting board, and slice it into wedges with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Serve immediately.
I’d have a cold dark Modelo beer with this, but they would be delicious with a cocktail like this Frozen Mezcal Margarita or Skinny Vodka Margarita, too.
Top Tips
- These quesadillas only take a few minutes to cook. For best results when using leftover chicken, reheat it before adding it to the sauce. That way, once the cheese melts, they are done.
- Use a spatula to gently press down on the quesadilla while it’s cooking to help seal the edges with the melted cheese.
- Shred your own cheese. I know this is an extra step, but it’s worth it. Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as well as block cheese.
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Recipe FAQS
Quesadillas are best when they are served freshly made because the tortillas will begin to soften. But if you have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Then, when you get ready to serve them, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat until warm and crispy again.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs both work well for this recipe. They cook quickly and are easy to shred or slice for filling the quesadillas. But you can always use store-bought rotisserie chicken, too.
To prevent soggy quesadillas, make sure to cook them over medium-low heat, in a dry skillet and avoid overloading them with filling.
More Mexican Recipes
Mexican Pork Carnitas Street Tacos for the Slow Cooker
Easy Authentic Mexican Chicken Enchiladas Recipe
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken shredded 9.87 oz | 280 g
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce 7.05 oz | 200 g
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 small pineapple thinly sliced
- 8 tortillas 8 inch
- 2 cups cheddar cheese 7.95 oz | 225 g
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix chicken, BBQ sauce, and paprika. Divide the mixture into 4 portions.
- Slice the pineapple into strips.
- Take a grill pan or a non-stick large skillet. Place one flour tortilla in it. Sprinkle about 4 tablespoons of cheese.
- Spread 1 portion of the chicken mixture.
- Add pineapple strips. Sprinkle 4 tablespoons of cheese again. Cover it with a second tortilla.
- Turn on the heat to medium low and heat until some golden brown spots form. Use a wide spatula to flip it, then cook the second side for a couple of minutes. Repeat the same with all other tortillas.
- Place the quesadilla on a cutting board, and slice it into wedges with a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Serve immediately.
