Crispy Chicken Quesadilla
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This crispy chicken quesadilla is full of fresh ingredients and Tex Mex flavor. Make this 30 minute recipe for a quick meal or snack!
Adding shredded chicken to a quesadilla gives it added texture and flavor, plus a boost of protein to keep you feeling full.
Don’t worry about spending lots of time making it, though. This quesadilla recipe uses a rotisserie chicken, so it only takes a few minutes to make.
Video: Making a crispy chicken quesadilla
Want to see just how quick and easy this meal comes together? Watch the video located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!
Ingredients
For the filling
- Rotisserie chicken– Substitute cooked chicken tenders, thighs, or even canned chicken that’s been drained. Just be sure that whatever you use, it’s shredded first.
- Vegetable oil
- Bell pepper– I like to use red peppers, but any color will work
- Salsa verde – Make my recipe for tomatillo green chili salsa, or you can use jarred if you prefer
- Corn – drain from a can or thaw from frozen
- Avocado
- Salt and pepper
For serving
- Flour tortillas – use a large size, usually labeled “burrito”
- Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese
- Cooking spray or oil
Recipe Instructions
First, prep your ingredients. Shred the chicken and cheese, chop the bell pepper and avocado, and drain the corn.
- Make the filling
Cook the shredded chicken in oil for about a minute, then stir in the bell pepper. Next, pour the salsa verde over the chicken and let it simmer for about 3 minutes.
Stir in the remaining filling ingredients, then transfer everything to a bowl. Set aside.
- Assemble and cook the chicken quesadillas
Place a tortilla in a freshly greased pan, then layer the cheeses and filling on one side. Next, fold the tortilla in half to seal it.
Cook until the cheese starts to melt. Then, flip and cook another minute or two to brown the other side. Remove from the pan and continue the process to make the rest of the quesadillas. Then, slice and serve!
Recipe notes
- You can shred the chicken ahead of time and store until ready to use. It will last about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and up to 2 months in the freezer.
- Use a block of cheese and shred it yourself. Bags of shredded cheese have a preservative that prevents the shreds from clumping together. Unfortunately, it also prevents it from melting well, and it gives the shreds a waxy texture.
Three easy ways to shred chicken
- By hand – Use your fingers to pull apart the chicken into smaller pieces. It’s easiest when the chicken is still warm, but not so hot that you’ll burn yourself.
- With two forks – This is similar to the method above, but you use two forks instead of your fingers. This is especially helpful for any tough sections.
- Using a stand mixer – This is by far the quickest way to shred chicken. Fit the mixer with the paddle attachment, add the cooked chicken to the bowl, and run it on low until the pieces are the correct size.
Topping ideas for a crispy chicken quesadilla
Your crispy chicken quesadilla will be delicious as is, or you can smother or dip your slices with any of the following:
- Sour cream
- Homemade guacamole
- Your favorite salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Hot sauce
Other Ways to Use Leftover Chicken
If you prefer beef quesadillas, you’ll love my recipe for Crispy Ground Beef Quesadillas. You can also use up any extra shredded chicken in one these recipes:
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Tex Mex Chicken Quesadilla
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotisserie chicken shredded (See Note 1)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 red bell pepper diced (See Note 2)
- 1 cup tomatillo green chili salsa (recipe on site)
- 8 oz corn can drained or thawed
- 1 avocado cubed
- salt
- black pepper
- 4 flour tortillas 12" size
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded (See Note 3)
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded (See Note 3)
- cooking spray or oil
Instructions
Filling
- Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and cook for a minute. Add the red bell pepper and stir to combine, cook for another minute.
- Pour in the salsa verde, stirring to combine and simmer for 3 minutes. Add the corn and chopped avocado, gently stirring to combine. Cook another minute. Season to taste with salt and pepper and remove from heat and pour into a bowl.
Assembly/Cook
- This makes four large quesadillas so divide the filling and cheese accordingly.
- Wipe skillet clean with paper towel. Heat skillet over medium low heat and coat pan with cooking spray.
- Add a tortilla and on half of it sprinkle some of the cheeses and the chicken filling. Top with some more cheese and carefully fold tortilla over to cover filling. Cook for 2-3 minutes to brown and crisp tortilla and melt cheeses.
- Flip quesadilla over and cook other side for 1-2 minutes and browned. Filling should be warmed and cheeses melted.
- Remove from pan and slice into thirds on a cutting board. Serve with salsa of choice, guacamole or plain with sour cream.
Video
Notes
- Feel free to substitute any kind of chicken you prefer: shredded chicken tenders, thigh meat, canned that has been drained and shredded.
- Use whatever color bell pepper is available.
- Use and substitute any shredded cheese of choice.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
These were delicious! I didn’t have avocado or corn so used black beans instead. So easy but so good!
Excellent, adapt and overcome! Thanks Judy!
My family loves quesadillas! Can’t wait to try these!
I hope they enjoy it as much as we do!
Another great recipe Kevin thank you. Family really enjoyed
Thank you so much! I am so glad!
Oh these are making my mouth water! I think I’ve got everything I need to make this tomorrow, just need to pick up the chicken!
I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
I need to try this chicken quesadilla immediately, it looks so good!
You really do! You will love it!
Yum! I made this for lunch today and it was out of this world! I will definitely be making this again! Thanks!
I am so glad you enjoyed it!