Easy Grilled Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
This grilled chicken quesadilla recipe is easy to make and perfect for an easy lunch or dinner. The quesadillas are made with cooked chicken, melty cheese, bell peppers stuffed into a folded tortilla and grilled to crispy perfection.
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Quesadillas can be made with a wide variety of fillings, such as meat, vegetables, beans and cheeses. They can also be cooked in a variety of ways, and grilling them is one of our favorite ways.
Unlike quesadillas that are cooked on a griddle or in a pan, grilled quesadillas require less oil and come out perfect every time. You can use leftover chicken or shredded chicken or grill some chicken to make these tasty quesadillas.
Why you will🤍this recipe
- This is a great recipe that can be prepared ahead of time!
- Grilled chicken quesadillas are a great way to use up leftover chicken
- It’s and easy recipe that is perfect for lunch, dinner or a snack.
Here is what you will need
This is an overview of the ingredients and steps to make this recipe; scroll down for a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions.
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🛒Ingredient
- Cooked shredded chicken
- Red bell pepper
- Onion
- Olive oil
- Large flour tortilla
🥄Equipment
- Grill pan or a grill
- Large Skillet
- Cutting board
- Chef’s knife
- Cheese grater
How to make grilled chicken quesadillas
Prepare the ingredients: chop the peppers and onions, shred the cheese.
Step 1.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the vegetables and cook for a few minutes until crisp tender.
Step 2.
Use a pastry brush to coat the grill pan or grill with a little bit of olive oil and heat it over medium-high heat. Once the grill is hot, place a tortilla on the grill and cover one half of the tortilla with shredded cheese.
Step 3.
Place a layer of bell peppers on top of the cheese, then a layer of chicken and a little more of the remaining cheese.
Step 4.
Fold over the tortilla and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the folded tortilla over and cook for 3 to 5 minutes longer until the cheese melts and grill marks appear on the tortillas.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Chicken – Any type of cooked chicken will work in this recipe. If you have leftover chicken, chop it up and use it to make grilled chicken quesadillas.
Cooked chicken can be substituted with cooked ground beef, ground pork, ground chicken or turkey.
Cheese – I like to use cheddar cheese when I make quesadillas, but you can use any type of cheese that you like. Some good options are Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, or mozzarella cheese.
How to store leftovers
Leftover quesadillas can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat leftovers in the oven, toaster oven or on top of the stove.
You can also freeze leftover cooked quesadillas by placing them on a baking sheet and pop them in the the freezer. Once they are frozen place them in a freezer bag or freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven or on top of the stove.
Recipe variations
BBQ chicken quesadillas – Add a few teaspoons of your favorite bbq sauce to the cooked chicken before making the quesadillas.
Spicy chicken quesadillas – Add chili powder, red pepper flakes or diced jalapeno peppers to the cooked chicken.
Add Beans – Spread a layer of black beans on top of the chicken when assembling the quesadillas.
Add more vegetables – Add more vegetables such as diced zucchini, mushrooms, corn, eggplant, or spinach.
Serving suggestions
Quesadillas are perfect for a quick dinner, lunch appetizer or snack. Garnish them with green onion, chopped cilantro and a lime wedge. Serve with sour cream, Greek yogurt, guacamole, sweet and spicy salsa like this habanero mango salsa, or savory salsa like salsa verde or garden fresh salsa.
For a complete delicious meal, serve grilled chicken quesadillas with side dishes like Mexican chopped salad, or Mexican street corn salad.
💡Tips
- Save time and use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
- Grate your own cheese! Bags of shredded cheese contain anti-caking agents which will keep the cheese from melting properly.
- Use a pizza cutter to cut your quesadillas into triangles.
Yes. You can make quesadillas with corn tortillas. Flour tortillas are a better choice because they are more flexible and usually larger in size.
Yes. You can easily make grilled quesadillas in a heavy skillet instead of a grill pan or grill. You will need to add a few teaspoons of oil to the skillet before cooking quesadillas in a skillet.
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Ingredients
- 4 ounces shredded chicken cooked
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 1/4 cup onion chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the 1/2 cup red bell pepper and 1/4 cup onion. Cook for a few minutes until crisp and tender.
- Use a pastry brush to coat the grill pan or grill grates with a little bit of olive oil, and heat it over medium to high heat. Once the grill is hot, place a tortilla on the grill and cover one-half of the tortilla with cheddar cheese.
- Place a layer of bell peppers on top of the cheese, then a layer of shredded chicken then a little more cheese.
- Fold over the tortilla and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the folded tortilla over and cook for a few minutes longer.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used
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