Gooey, sweet, spicy, tangy and everything in between! These hearty bbq chicken quesadillas are a fun twist on a classic Mexican dish!
Quesadillas are always so nostalgic for me. (Probably because my mom would make them almost every day when I was little for an tasty afternoon snack.) But I have to say these loaded bbq chicken quesdillas could definitely give hers a run for their money! (Sorry mom… 😉 ) They’re sweet and tangy with just a hint of spice and perfectly crispy on the outside while still warm and gooey in the middle! Plus they’re pretty filling too which makes them perfect for a quick dinner during the week!
Ingredients
Want to know the best part about making quesadillas? You guessed it babe – minimal ingredients and they take no time at all to make! Here’s everything you’ll need for this tasty dish:
- Flour tortillas: Essential for these quesadillas! They’re much milder in flavor which really helps to let your other ingredients shine! (Can use gluten free tortillas if needed.)
- Shredded chicken: Adds protein to your quesadillas making them hearty enough for a meal. (Can use homemade or store bought chicken. Directions for my homemade shredded chicken is below.)
- BBQ sauce: Adds some tang and helps hold all of your ingredients together. (I love using Stubbs Sweet Heat sauce for these but feel free to use your favorite!)
- Shredded cheese: Adds that ooey gooey factor that is essential to any good quesadilla! (I personally love using a mix of mozzarella and sharp cheese.)
- Corn: Adds a little burst of sweetness. (Can use fresh or frozen corn. See the section below for tips on both!)
- Red onion: Compliments the rest of your ingredients.
- Fresh cilantro: Gives your quesadilla that little bit of freshness!
Side Note: All of the ingredinets listed can easily be found at your local Sprouts. They’re usually my go-to grocery store whenever I need quality ingredients at a lower more reasonable price!
How to make shredded chicken
Have a few leftover chicken breasts that you don’t know what to do with? Perfect! Now you can make some easy shredded chicken at home and use it for whatever you want!
- 2 large chicken breasts
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place your chicken in the dish and season them with salt and pepper.
- Cook the chicken for 20 minutes or until they reach an internal temp of 165 degrees.
- Once done, take the chicken out of the oven and shred it using a fork and knife. Store your shredded chicken in a plastic container in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
This can easily be done the day before you make your quesadillas or even over the weekend to help save on time. (Plus leftovers are always great for salads or other meal prepped lunches!)
Should I use fresh or frozen corn for these quesadillas?
I personally perfer using fresh corn whenever it’s available but frozen corn works just as well too!
- For frozen corn: Make sure to thaw your corn COMPLETELY before adding it to your quesadillas! If the corn is still slightly frozen then it will cause your quesadilla to become soggy from the excess moisture.
- For fresh corn: Remove the husks from your corn cobs and bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add your cobs to the pot and boil them for 2-3 minutes. Then remove your corn from the pot and cut the kernels off the cob with a knife.
How to make loaded bbq chicken quesadillas
- Mix your shredded chicken and bbq sauce together in a bowl and set it aside.
- Spread a small amount of bbq sauce over one half of your tortilla. Then layer that half with a handful of shredded bbq chicken, cheese, corn, red onion and cilantro.
- Heat a large pan over medium high heat and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Once it’s warm to the touch, transfer your quesadilla to the pan and fold the bare side of the tortilla over the filling and press it down lightly. Cook for 2-3 minutes then flip. Cook the other side for an additional 2 minutes or until crispy.
- Remove your quesadilla from the pan and cut it into wedges. Serve immediately!
And that’s all there is to it loves! I hope you’re having the very best day! 🙂
More recipes you might like:
- Chicken Caprese Quesadillas
- BBQ Chicken Tortilla Pizzas
- Easy Avocado, Tomato & Mozzarella Salad
- BBQ Turkey Meatballs
- One Pot Green Chile Mac & Cheese
[Made one of my recipes? Make sure to tag my social media @kalefornia_kravings – I love seeing what you create!]
Loaded BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 4 flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded chicken (can be store bought or homemade)
- ½ cup bbq sauce (plus extra for spreading)
- 1½ cups mix of shredded mozzarella & sharp cheese
- ½ cup corn (can be fresh or frozen)*
- ½ cup red onion, sliced thin
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix your shredded chicken and bbq sauce together then set it aside.
- Spread a small amount of bbq sauce over one half of your tortilla. Then layer that half with a handful of shredded bbq chicken, cheese, corn, red onion and cilantro.
- Heat a large pan over medium high heat and spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Once it's warm to the touch, transfer your quesadilla to the pan and fold the bare side of the tortilla over the filling and press it down lightly. Cook for 2-3 minutes then flip. Cook the other side for an additional 2 minutes or until crispy.
- Remove your quesadilla from the pan and cut it into wedges. Serve immediately!
