Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Aug 25, 2016, Updated Jul 06, 2022

4.98 from 43 votes

27 Comments

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This is the best chicken quesadilla recipe you’ll ever try. Made with chicken, peppers and a secret ingredient – chicken quesadillas are a delicious, healthy, quick & easy dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes!

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (2)

This chicken quesadilla recipe is one of my family’s most-loved meals. It is on my husband’s top 10 list of favorites when I ask him what he wants for dinner. The secret ingredient in this recipe might sound a little strange, but trust me it is the best chicken quesadilla recipe you’ll ever try.

Made with chicken, peppers and mandarin oranges, these chicken quesadillas are a delicious, healthy, quick & easy dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes!

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (3)

Chicken Quesadilla Recipe: Ingredients/Substitutions

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (4)
  • Chicken breasts.This is a great recipe to use up leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken (and one of our go-to’s for such a situation). Ground chicken or turkey can also be used in place of diced chicken.
  • Green pepper.If you family doesn’t love green pepper, feel free to substitute another vegetable. Carrots, red/orange/yellow peppers, zucchini, etc.
  • Cheddar cheese.A Mexican blend also works great. Feel free to substitute your favorite cheese or use a dairy-free variety if necessary.
  • Tortillas.Choose a variety that complies with your dietary needs. We usually use whole wheat or regular flour tortillas.
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How to Make Chicken quesadillas

To make this recipe, start with the filling. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium/high heat for about 1 minute, then add the chicken and cook until one side begins to turn slightly brown (about 4-5 minutes).

Next, add green pepper and corn. Cook until peppers become slightly soft and chicken is cooked through.

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (6)

Once the chicken is cooked, evenly sprinkle seasoning/salt mixture over your chicken/veggies and cook until the chicken and veggies become slightly browned.

Next, add some of the reserved mandarin orange juice and cook until all the liquid is absorbed. This step imparts a delicious sweet and spicy flavor to the filling.

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Remove the pan from heat and gently mix in the mandarin oranges, slightly breaking them up as you stir. Do this gently.

Note: At this point if you are serving people with dietary restrictions you can serve this filling over a salad if they’d prefer not to eat the cheese/tortilla. It tastes delicious that way!

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Cook the chicken quesadillas

Once the filling is finished it’s time to assemble and cook the chicken quesadillas. Either preheat an electric griddle to 325 degrees F, or preheat a skillet over medium low heat.

Place a tortilla on the griddle and sprinkle about ¼ cup cheddar cheese evenly on the tortilla. Then, add about ¼ to ½ cup of chicken mixture (depending on the size of your tortilla) and sprinkle with another ¼cup cheese. The double layer of cheese is very important so don’t miss this!

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Top it off with the second tortilla. Cook until the bottom tortilla is browned, then flip and cook until the second side is brown and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese until you have used all the filling!

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (10)

Serve

Cut and serve these chicken quesadillas as soon as they come off the griddle. Top with your favorite homemade salsa or homemade guacamole, sour cream, etc. Serve them with your favorite Mexican Recipes.

Store/freeze

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop.

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (11)

Recipe FAQs

How do you keep quesadillas crispy?

To really crisp up the outside you could fry the quesadillas in a very small amount of olive oil.

Can I use leftover chicken in this recipe?

Yes! Feel free to use leftover rotisserie chicken or leftovers to make this.

Why keep the mandarin orange juice?

You will cook the juices until it is absorbed in the meat to create a sweet flavor.

What goes inside a quesadilla?

I bet mandarin oranges never even crossed your mind! Well, get ready to have your mind blown and your life changed forever when you add mandarin oranges to the filling! You can also add beans, veggies, etc.

What cheese makes the best quesadilla?

I love a really sharp cheddar, a Mexican blend is also delicious.

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Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

Laura

This is the best chicken quesadilla recipe you'll ever try. Made with chicken, peppers and a secret ingredient – chicken quesadillas are a delicious, healthy, quick & easy dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes!

4.98 from 43 votes

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4 large quesadillas

Calories 340

Prep Time5 minutes minutes

Cook Time25 minutes minutes

Total Time30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast diced
  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • 1 medium green pepper diced
  • ½ cup corn
  • 1 ½ TBS taco seasoning
  • ½ tsp garlic salt plus more to taste
  • 1 15 oz can mandarin oranges, drained (reseve the juice)
  • 1-2 TBS reserved mandarin orange juice
  • 8 Tortillas
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese

Instructions

Making the filling:

  • In a small dish, mix together taco seasoning and garlic salt. Set aside.

  • Heat 1 TBS olive oil in a skillet over medium/high heat for about 1 minute.

  • Add chicken and cook until one side begins to turn slightly brown (about 4-5 minutes).

  • Add green pepper and corn. Cook until peppers become slightly soft and chicken is cooked through.

  • Evenly sprinkle seasoning/salt mixture over your chicken/veggies. Stir until evenly coated.

  • Cook until the chicken and veggies become slightly browned.

  • Add 1-2 TBS of the reserved mandarin orange juice and cook until all the liquid is absorbed.

  • Remove pan from heat and gently mix in the mandarin oranges, slightly breaking them up as you stir. Set mixture aside.

Putting it all together:

  • Preheat a griddle to about 325 degrees F or cook over medium-low heat in a skillet.

  • Place a tortilla on the griddle and sprinkle about ¼ cup cheddar cheese evenly on the tortilla.

  • Add about ¼ to ½ cup of chicken mixture (depending on the size of your tortilla).

  • Top with another ¼ cup of cheese and a second tortilla.

  • Cook until the bottom tortilla is browned, then flip and cook until the second side is brown and cheese is melted.

  • Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese until you have used all the filling!

Video

Notes

*Note, you can make these on a non-stick pan over the stove. I prefer to use a griddle because I can make 2-3 at a time!

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Chicken breasts.This is a great recipe to use up leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken (and one of our go-to’s for such a situation). Ground chicken or turkey can also be used in place of diced chicken.
  • Green pepper.If you family doesn’t love green pepper, feel free to substitute another vegetable. Carrots, red/orange/yellow peppers, zucchini, etc.
  • Cheddar cheese.A Mexican blend also works great. Feel free to substitute your favorite cheese or use a dairy-free variety if necessary.
  • Tortillas.Choose a variety that complies with your dietary needs. We usually use whole wheat or regular flour tortillas

Serve

Cut and serve these chicken quesadillas as soon as they come off the griddle. Top with your favorite homemade salsa or homemade guacamole, sour cream, etc.

Store/freeze

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5quesadilla | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.8g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 15.6g | Saturated Fat: 7.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6.2g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 497mg | Potassium: 142mg | Fiber: 1.8g | Sugar: 5.8g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Vitamin C: 27.5mg | Calcium: 227mg | Iron: 1.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

More Delicious Recipes

  • Try these tasty Chicken Enchiladas.
  • Love easy Mexican food? Try these Crockpot Chicken Tacos.
  • We adore these Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better than P.F. Chang’s)!
  • This Best Nachos Recipe is great for sharing with friends!

Photos in this post taken by Organically Addison.

The links in this post are affiliate links, thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine.

Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the best things to put in a quesadilla? ›

Southwestern: Fill your quesadilla with black beans, chopped onions, peppers, tomatoes, corn, cilantro and pepper jack cheese. Sprinkle with your favorite spices, like garlic powder, chili powder, cumin or red pepper flakes, and top with a spoonful of Greek yogurt or sour cream.

What is the best melting cheese for quesadillas? ›

Sometimes the best cheese for quesadillas is whatever you have in the fridge when the craving strikes. Cheddar and Monterey Jack are standards of American-style quesadillas. But if you are planning ahead, consider that freshly grated cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack makes the meltiest quesadillas.

What does a chicken quesadilla contain? ›

Assemble the quesadillas by spreading cheese on 1/2 of each tortilla. Top the cheese with chicken, veggies, more cheese, and then fold the tortilla in half over the filling ingredients.

Should you make quesadilla with butter or oil? ›

Unless you're using a non-stick pan, the extra lubrication from the oil will make it easier to flip your quesadilla and remove it from the pan or press when it's done. Most recipes, in fact, call for adding butter or oil to a frying pan and then adding either a tortilla or a pre-assembled quesadilla.

What cheese do Mexican restaurants use for quesadillas? ›

Traditional Mexican cheeses like Oaxaca cheese or Chihuahua cheese are commonly used in quesadillas because they melt easily and have a mild, slightly salty flavor. Other cheese options include Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and mozzarella.

What does Taco Bell put in their quesadillas? ›

It's a simple flour tortilla with some grilled chicken, a hefty portion of melted three-cheese blend, creamy jalapeño sauce, and absolutely zero bells and whistles. It's the culinary equivalent to a comfortable, plain black shirt that is equally sleek as it is chic.

What tortillas are best for quesadillas? ›

I make them with whole-grain tortillas for some nutritional bonus points and add enough cheese to make sure they're both enticing and delicious. That's why I generally make a quesadilla instead of ordering pizza—they're quicker and hit the spot.

How do you hold quesadillas together? ›

Fold each quarter over the next, working clockwise around the tortilla. I added the cheese in the middle to help seal the tortilla together. Continue to fold the tortilla until you have a small quesadilla-sized triangle and all of the fillings are inside.

Are homemade chicken quesadillas good for you? ›

A quesadilla is high in protein and calcium while also being a good source of fiber and iron. This simple dish can easily meet your health goals by adding vegetables, lean meats, and beans that make your quesadilla more filling and even more nutritious.

Are quesadillas good left over? ›

Quesadillas are a quick and easy way to make leftovers tasty. You can make these in a sandwich press, oven, or a frying pan.

What vegetables are good in quesadillas? ›

Delicious quesadillas with cheese and steamed vegetables like broccoli, carrot, bell pepper and mushrooms.

Do people put rice in quesadillas? ›

Cheese, rice, smashed avocado, and roasted poblano peppers…all tucked inside soft flour tortillas, then pan-fried until warm and crispy. These easy vegetarian quesadillas come together quickly and include simple ingredients. They're crispy on the outside and cheesy inside.

What is Chihuahua in quesadilla? ›

Queso Chihuahua is good for melting and is similar to a mild white Cheddar or Monterey Jack. It may be used in queso fundido (fondue style melted cheese), choriqueso, quesadillas, chilaquiles, chili con queso, or sauces.

How do you doctor up a quesadilla? ›

Layer half of each tortilla with the chicken and vegetable mixture, then sprinkle with the cheddar cheese, bacon bits and Monterey Jack cheese. Fold the tortillas in half and place onto a baking sheet. Bake quesadillas in the preheated oven until the cheeses have melted, about 10 minutes.

What does Taco Bell put on their quesadillas? ›

The Chicken Quesadilla is a purist's meal; and we say “purist” in the most complimenting way possible. It's a simple flour tortilla with some grilled chicken, a hefty portion of melted three-cheese blend, creamy jalapeño sauce, and absolutely zero bells and whistles.

What is in a quesadilla kit? ›

Quesadilla Meal Kit

The kit comes with soft corn tortillas, a seasoning mix that can add flavour to any filling you fancy, and a chunky salsa to dip your Quesadilla in when it's done!

Are quesadillas better with corn or flour? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

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