Easy BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

A BBQ chicken quesadilla is an eclectic spin on a traditional Mexican dish, consisting of shredded barbecue chicken, melted cheese, and diced red onion sandwiched between two flour tortillas. In Mexican cuisine, quesadillas are part of the family of foods known as antojitos (“little cravings”), which are small, savory bites enjoyed as appetizers or late-night drinking snacks.

This BBQ-friendly quesadilla puts leftover chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken to good use, making a tasty fusion dish that requires minimal effort.

Make the most of this easy appetizer or main dish by following these simple tips for quesadilla-making success:

1. 1. Adjust the fillings. Customize your chicken quesadillas by incorporating your favorite veggies, beans, cheeses, and spices into the filling. Add raw and roasted vegetables like peppers, onions, summer squash, tomatoes, and green onions. Incorporate black beans or pinto beans for extra protein. Toss your shredded chicken in your favorite store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce. Change up the cheese with shredded Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, or cheddar cheese.
2. 2. Experiment with toppings. Elevate this flavorful Mexican-inspired main dish with toppings like shredded lettuce, pickled jalapeño peppers, sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro, pickled red onions, and cotija cheese.
3. 3. Store components in separate containers. Leftover BBQ chicken quesadillas will keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best results, store your shredded chicken mixture separately from the cheese and tortillas, and assemble and cook the dish when you’re ready to enjoy it.