Chicken Quesadilla Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

There’s nothing better than an easy dinner for busy weeknights! Thischicken quesadillais a wonderful option when craving something cheesy, creamy, and reminiscent of a restaurant-style dish.

The flavors of this quesadilla are inspired by our buffalo chicken dip, made with the iconic Frank’s Red Hot which is also featured in our buffalo chicken sliders.

This chicken quesadilla will remind you of the popular Taco Bell quesadilla but so much better. The mixture of shredded chicken, cheese, and a kick of hot sauce, makes this quesadilla unforgettable! The quality will greatly outshine anything you could get at a fast food restaurant.

Enjoy this copycat recipe with your favorite sides and dipping sauces!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Customizable.This recipe is easy to personalize to your liking and will satisfy the pickiest of eaters.
Make-ahead.The mixture we use for the filling is easy to make ahead, so you can enjoy a quesadilla in as little as five minutes in the coming week.
Kid-friendly.Your children will love this simple dish.
Inexpensive.Most of these ingredients are very affordable and make for a great budget dinner! Especially in comparison to the price you would pay ordering at a restaurant.
Healthier alternative.Although just as cheesy, creamy and saucy, making this quesadilla at home offers a healthier alternative to the Taco-bell version.

Ingredients for this Chicken Quesadilla

The ingredients for this quesadilla are simple and customizable.

Cooked chicken– we use shredded chicken breast for this recipe. Cook your ownchicken, or use canned, or even a rotisserie chicken.
Cream cheese– at room temp, for easy mixing.
Ranch– offers a delicious flavor while making this mixture come together.
Cheese– we use cheddar cheese, but you can use Mexican Oaxaca cheese, Monterey jack, pepper jack cheese, or any other blend you love.
Sriracha or Red Hot sauce– adds a subtle kick of spice and great flavor.
Flour tortillas– large burrito tortillas work best for making quesadillas.
Seasoning– a dash of salt, pepper, and paprika for flavor.

For a full list of ingredients and quantities, see the recipe card below.

Substitutions and Variations

Try these add-ins, substitutions, and variations to make this chicken quesadilla perfect for you and your family.

Protein:Swap out the chicken for ground beef, steak, or even leave it out altogether for a meatless option.
Veggies:Add some extra nutrients and flavor by throwing in vegetables like red onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, or tomatoes.Just like in our chicken fajita quesadilla.
Spice:You can add more or less hot sauce to modify the heat in your quesadilla. You can also add diced jalapeños, chili powder, or taco seasoning for an extra spicy quesadilla!
Healthier option:With a few modifications, you can make this delicious meal lower in calories. Use low-fat cream cheese, low-fat ranch, and corn tortillas, as well as low-calorie tortillas for a lower-calorie quesadilla. You can even air fry your quesadilla to make it even healthier!

How to Make Chicken Quesadillas

These quesadillas come together quickly, with just a few easy steps.

Step 1 – Combine:In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, ranch, shredded cheese, sriracha, and seasoning. Mix using a hand mixer.

Step 2 – Assemble:Spread mixture evenly on one side of a tortilla. Fold over and gently pat down.

Step 3 – Cook:Drizzle oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the quesadilla and press down lightly with a spatula. Cook about 2-3 minutes per side.

Step 4 – Enjoy: You may enjoy the quesadilla with sour cream, srirach or even avocado slices.

Serving Suggestions

These quesadillas are greatly enjoyed on their own, but can be taken to the next level by pairing them with someMexican-inspired dishes:

Dips: Serve this quesadilla with various dips to enhance the flavors and add to the restaurant ambiance! A drizzle of sour cream orGuacamoleoffers authentic pairings and makes for a great flavor combination.
Meal: Serve the quesadilla withcilantro lime rice, for a more filling meal.
Soup:Serve your quesadilla with a warm bowl ofchicken taco soupfor the ultimate comfort meal.

Expert Tips for Making Chicken Quesadillas

Tortilla: When choosing your tortilla, be sure that you are selecting the large flour tortillas for optimal quesadilla size, and shape.
Spread: Evenly distribute your filling onto the tortilla, to ensure that every bite is overflowing with cheesy goodness.
Crust: Make sure you are adding your quesadilla to a hot pan to give the quesadilla a beautiful crust.
Control the heat: Keep an eye on the quesadilla and make sure that your heat is allowing the cheese to melt, without burning the outside.

Faq’s

Can I bake my quesadilla?

You absolutely can bake your quesadilla for an easy and healthier alternative. You can also makeair-frier quesadillaswith a similar result.

Store & Reheat

Storage.Refrigerate quesadilla filling in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat.Assemble quesadillas as you would, and cook the same way.
Freeze.Prepare quesadilla per instruction, just don’t cook the quesadilla. Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer bag.
- Reheat:Thaw overnight and sautee per instructions.

More Chicken Recipes

If you enjoyed this chicken quesadilla recipe, be sure to try our other Mexican-inspired recipes:

Chicken Fajita Quesadilla Recipe
Chicken Taquitos
Cheese Quesadilla
Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup
Taco Recipes

If you tried this Chicken Quesadilla Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave astar rating and leave feedback in thecomments below – we really appreciate it!