If you love bold flavors, melty cheese, and quick meals that never disappoint, these BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are about to become a household favorite. A perfect fusion of smoky barbecue chicken and classic cheesy quesadilla goodness, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, lazy dinners, and anyone who craves comforting, satisfying food. Whether you’re using slow cooker BBQ chicken, leftover rotisserie chicken, or your favorite BBQ recipes, this dish provides endless versatility and maximum flavor with minimal effort.

In this guide, you’ll find a complete roadmap that walks you through everything—from why you’ll love this recipe to how to prepare it, serve it, and store it. If you’re searching for an easy and delicious chicken quesadilla recipe, or even fun alternatives like ground beef quesadillas or a simple cheese quesadilla recipe, this is the recipe to bookmark.

🧭 Roadmap

1. Why Make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

2. Ingredients You’ll Need

3. How to Make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

4. Step-by-Step Directions

5. How to Serve

6. Tips for Success

7. FAQs

8. Final Thoughts

BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

These BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are the ultimate quick and flavorful weeknight meal. Packed with smoky barbecue chicken, gooey melted cheese, and a perfectly crispy tortilla, they’re everything you love about bbq recipes and classic Mexican-inspired comfort food. Whether you use leftover slow cooker BBQ chicken, rotisserie chicken, or freshly cooked chicken breast, this easy recipe comes together fast and delivers huge flavor. Perfect for lunches, dinners, or party appetizers!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• For the BBQ Chicken
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken rotisserie or crockpot BBQ chicken
• ½ cup BBQ sauce your favorite brand
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp smoked paprika optional for deeper flavor
• For the Quesadillas
• 8 medium flour tortillas
• 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend
• ½ small red onion thinly sliced (optional)
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro optional
• Olive oil or butter for cooking
• Optional Toppings
• Sour cream
• Ranch dressing
• Salsa
• Extra BBQ sauce
• Guacamole

Instructions

 

• Prepare the BBQ Chicken
• In a skillet, heat olive oil, add shredded chicken, and mix in BBQ sauce and smoked paprika. Cook for 2–3 minutes until warmed and coated.
• Heat the Tortilla
• Place one tortilla in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.
• Layer the Filling
• Sprinkle a generous layer of cheese over the tortilla.
• Add a portion of the BBQ chicken, onions, and cilantro if using.
• Top with more cheese for extra melt.
• Seal and Cook
• Place a second tortilla on top. Cook until the bottom is golden brown (2–3 minutes), then flip and cook the other side.
• Repeat
• Continue assembling and cooking until all quesadillas are done.
• Rest and Slice
• Let the quesadillas rest for 1–2 minutes before slicing into wedges. This helps keep the filling intact.
• Serve
• Serve with ranch, sour cream, salsa, or extra BBQ sauce.

Notes

Use leftover chicken or slow cooker BBQ chicken to make this even faster.

Add diced jalapeños for heat or pineapple chunks for a sweet BBQ twist.

Mozzarella melts the best, cheddar adds flavor — use both!

For crispier quesadillas, cook with a small amount of oil instead of butter.

Great paired with Mexican sides like rice, corn salad, or beans.

1. Why Make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

These BBQ Chicken Quesadillas blend smokiness, sweetness, and creaminess in a way that’s irresistible. The combination of melty cheese and juicy chicken wrapped in a crispy tortilla makes this recipe a game-changer for quick meals.

Here’s why you’ll love them:

• Fast & Easy: Ready in 20 minutes—perfect for lazy dinners or busy nights.

• Versatile: Works beautifully with bbq chicken crockpot, shredded grilled chicken, or even leftover chicken.

• Family-Friendly: Kids and adults devour these!

• Customizable: Add veggies, spice, or even swap the chicken for beef or beans.

• Great for Meal Rotation: Perfect if you love Mexican food recipes and want something new.

Whether you need a simple chicken and cheese quesadilla or want something more bold like bbq chicken quesadilla, this recipe adapts easily to your lifestyle.

2. Ingredients You’ll Need

To make these flavorful, crispy quesadillas, gather:

• Shredded chicken (rotisserie or slow cooker BBQ chicken)

• BBQ sauce – choose smoky, spicy, or sweet

• Flour tortillas – large, burrito-size preferred

• Shredded cheese – cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend

• Butter or olive oil for crisping

• Optional add-ins: sautéed onions, peppers, jalapeños, corn, black beans, cilantro

This base is perfect if you’re craving a fast and delicious chicken quesadilla recipe easy enough for beginners.

3. How to Make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Making these quesadillas is simple:

1. Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.

2. Heat a tortilla with butter in a skillet.

3. Add cheese, chicken, and more cheese.

4. Fold, crisp, flip, and cook until golden brown.

5. Slice and enjoy immediately.

This dish is unbelievably adaptable. You can even turn it into ground beef quesadillas using seasoned beef or make it vegetarian using beans and cheese.

4. Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
If using slow cooker BBQ chicken, shred it lightly and mix with extra BBQ sauce. For rotisserie chicken, simply add sauce until coated.

Step 2: Heat the Skillet
Melt a little butter or drizzle olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Step 3: Assemble the Quesadilla

• Lay one tortilla in the skillet.

• Add a layer of cheese—this helps glue the quesadilla together.

• Add the BBQ chicken mixture.

• Add more cheese on top.

Step 4: Fold and Cook
Fold the tortilla in half and press gently with a spatula. Cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.

Step 5: Slice and Serve
Remove from heat, cool slightly, and slice into wedges.

This method works beautifully whether you want a loaded bbq chicken quesadilla, a classic cheese quesadilla, or a mashup with other proteins.

5. How to Serve

BBQ Chicken Quesadillas pair well with:

• Sour cream

• Salsa or pico de gallo

• Guacamole

• Ranch or chipotle aioli

• Extra BBQ sauce

• Fresh green salad

• Sweet potato fries

Serve them for lunch, dinner, game night, or even as a fun appetizer platter.

6. Tips for Success

• Use two types of cheese: Cheddar + mozzarella = the perfect melt.

• Don’t oversauce: Too much BBQ sauce makes the quesadillas soggy.

• Cook on medium: Low heat prevents burning while melting the cheese thoroughly.

• Make them crispier: Brush tortillas lightly with butter on both sides.

• Add veggies: Peppers, onions, corn, and black beans add color and flavor.

Whether making barbecue chicken quesadillas or simple cheese quesadilla, these tips guarantee perfect results.

7. FAQs

Q: Can I use corn tortillas?
A: Yes, but they are smaller and more fragile—double up for better structure.

Q: Can I make these ahead?
A: Yes! Prep the chicken in advance or fully cook quesadillas and reheat in an air fryer.

Q: What cheese melts best?
A: Monterey Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican blend are ideal.

Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Absolutely—sub black beans, roasted veggies, or tofu.

8. Final Thoughts

These BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are the perfect combination of quick, flavorful, and family-friendly. Whether you’re using bbq chicken crockpot, leftover rotisserie chicken, or grilling your own, this recipe fits every lifestyle. Bursting with cheese, smoky BBQ flavor, and crispy tortilla goodness, it’s a guaranteed hit for anyone who loves comfort food, bbq recipes, or easy Mexican food recipes.