Barbecue Chicken Quesadilla

We all love barbecue chicken, right? And we all love quesadillas? Well, we think it’s high time to bring everything together with this barbecue chicken quesadilla recipe. It’s a delightfully tangy and savory dish that you can dress up and customize in so many ways.

And perhaps best of all, the prep and cooking will take well under 25 minutes, so you can have dinner or lunch on the table fast. Barbecue chicken quesadillas might just become a new weeknight staple in your home, one the family asks for again and again.

Barbecue Chicken Quesadilla Ingredients

• Shredded cooked chicken: Using precooked chicken is the real secret to this recipe. It will save you so much time, but of course, you can quickly roast or pan-fry the chicken yourself if you like.
• Chopped green chiles: Make sure to drain the chopped green chiles adequately so the liquid from the can does not make the tortillas mushy.
• Salsa: The salsa can be as hot and spicy or as mild as you like. This is one of two ingredients that gives you maximum control over the flavor profile of these quesadillas.
• Barbecue sauce: Of course the barbecue sauce is the other opportunity to truly impact the flavor here. You can choose a smoky, tangy, spicy or sweet sauce, it’s up to you.
• Taco sauce: Taco sauce is quite different from salsa. It’s a tomato-puree-based sauce with a pleasing herbal profile.
• Tortillas: If you’ve never made flour tortillas from scratch, consider trying it out. It’s easier than you might think, and nothing beats freshly made tortillas.
• Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese tastes great in these quesadillas, but a Mexican cheese blend is welcome as well.
• Sour cream and additional salsa (optional): Sour cream and additional salsa are optional in the way wearing a life jacket on a boat is optional. Is it 100% necessary? Maybe not, but it’s definitely a good idea.

Directions

Step 1: Blend the chicken mixture

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Preheat the oven to 450°F. In a large bowl, toss together the shredded chicken, chiles, salsa, barbecue sauce and taco sauce.

Step 2: Load up the tortillas

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Divide four tortillas between two baking sheets, then evenly spread the chicken mixture over them. Sprinkle them with the cheese, then top them with the remaining tortillas.

Step 3: Bake the quesadillas

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Bake the quesadillas for six to eight minutes or until they’re lightly browned and the cheese is melted.

Step 4: Slice them into wedges

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Cut each quesadilla into six wedges, and serve them with sour cream and additional salsa, if desired.

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Barbecue Chicken Quesadilla Variations

• Spice it up: Add some hot sauce to the mix if you like your food with a kick. A teaspoon or so should be all you need if your sauce is spicy enough.
• Use corn tortillas: You can follow this recipe to the letter, but using corn tortillas instead of flour will result in quesadillas that are a bit crispier and totally delicious.
• Skip the chiles: If you don’t have or don’t like green chiles, you can leave them out and follow the rest of the recipe as it’s laid out here.

How to Store Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas

Can you freeze cooked quesadillas?

Yes, you can freeze cooked barbecue chicken quesadillas for up to two months. Store them in airtight containers, bags or wrapping.

Barbecue Chicken Quesadilla Tips

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What should I serve with these barbecue chicken quesadillas?

While these quesadillas can be a meal all on their own, they’re great when served with Mexican rice and black beans. And don’t forget to dress them up with sour cream, sliced avocado, more salsa and anything else that sounds great to you.

Can I make these quesadillas on the stove?

Yes, you can follow the same recipe as laid out here, and cook the quesadillas in a pan on the stove over medium heat. You will have to carefully flip them at least once, as soon as the quesadilla on the bottom has browned and started to slightly crisp.

Can I leave out the taco sauce?

Yes, if need be. Just add a bit more salsa to the mix in its place.