Looking for a delicious and easy meal? Try these BBQ Chicken Quesadillas loaded with savory shredded chicken, melted cheese, and tangy BBQ sauce. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner!

BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

On busy nights, quesadillas are one of my favorite recipes to make! Not only can you make them so many different ways (check out my Southwestern Chicken Quesadillas and Ground Beef Quesadillas), but they are fully customizable! Plus, if you have leftover meat from a different meal, it’s a great way to use it up! Whether you enjoy them for lunch, as a snack, appetizer, or dinner option, you can’t go wrong!

Variations and Tips for Success

Want to save on time? Use Rotisserie chicken in place of having to cook and shred chicken breasts.
Use a variety of melty cheeses to really enhance the flavor. I use Mexican blend for my BBQ quesadillas, however, Pepper Jack Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Colby Jack Cheese, Cheddar Cheese, or Monterey Jack Cheese are great options too.
Add some sauteed onions, slices of bell peppers, black beans, jalapenos, red onion, or avocado to the meat mixture to really bulk them up. Even diced pineapple is a fun addition to the barbecue sauce flavor.
Use gluten free tortillas to make this a gluten free friendly meal!
Serve with some sour cream, homemade guacamole, salsa, Ranch dressing, pico de gallo, or additional BBQ sauce for dipping.
If making for a large crowd, place cooked quesadillas on a baking sheet and keep warm in oven for people to grab and go!

Ingredients

Below is a brief overview of each ingredient needed to make Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas! To see exact amounts with printable recipe card, scroll to the bottom of the post or click the “jump to recipe” button at the top.

Chicken– any pre-cooked chicken works for this recipe. I use about 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken breast. Rotisserie chicken is a great time saver.
Cheese– freshly shredded Mexican blend cheese is my go-to, however, any shredded cheese blend works great. This is the ingredient that holds everything together and really makes it ooey gooey. Try to avoid using the pre-shredded bags from the store as they don’t melt evenly.
Olive Oil– this helps create a crispy, golden brown crust on the tortilla when added to the skillet.
Tortillas– I use large flour tortillas. Flour is preferred as it holds up well as is flexible. Corn tortillas tend to break too easily and not hold the filling well.
Corn– canned corn that has been drained and rinsed. This compliments the flavors perfectly.
BBQ Sauce– use whatever brand and flavor you love. Adds a saucy, tangy, and sweet flavor to the filling. Depending on what flavor you use, it will change your flavor profile.
Cilantro– adds fresh flavor and color, however, if you aren’t a fan, feel free to omit.

Making ULTIMATE BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

Prepare chicken by combining the shredded, cooked chicken with BBQ sauce. Lay one tortilla on a flat surface and add a layer of seasoned chicken to half of the tortilla. Top with corn and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Fold the tortilla in half to close it (like a taco) and repeat process with remaining tortillas, corn, and meat. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the folded, filled tortillas in pan and allow to cook about 2-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from heat and continue process until all are cooked. Slice grilled chicken quesadillas in half and garnish with sour cream, cilantro, jalapenos, or any other topping desired. Serve!

Storage and Reheating

If you have leftovers, you can store in an airtight container in your refrigerator up to 4 days. To reheat, you can place back into a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, in the microwave until heated through, or in your air fryer at 350 degrees for about 5-7 minutes. To make this a meal prep option, prepare the chicken mixture and store in an airtight container in the fridge. The filling is good for about 4 days and you can make the BBQ chicken quesadilla recipe fresh!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make healthy chicken quesadillas?

By using low carb tortillas, you can make this an easier option. You can cut down on the cheese, although I recommend still using some to keep the filing in tact. Include lots of veggies and chicken and you can also use Buffalo sauce in place of the BBQ sauce to cut down on calories.

How do I make a grilled quesadilla recipe?

If you prefer cooking your quesadilla on the grill or Blackstone, that is a great way to keep the heat out of the kitchen during warmer months. If using a grill, you can put directly on the grate if careful, however, we use a cast iron skillet over the grates and it works great. A baking mat is another great option.

What is a good BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Dipping Sauce?

We love using sour cream or additional BBQ sauce to dip ours into, however, you can also use Southern Comeback Sauce, Alabama BBQ Sauce, or even your favorite hot sauce for an added kick.

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders– with just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these sliders are perfect for busy weeknights or game day gatherings!

Jalapeno Popper Chicken– packed with flavor and is a great, low-carb way to enjoy Jalapeno Poppers! Perfect for summer grilling season!

Melt in your Mouth Chicken– comes together using only 6 simple ingredients. Boneless chicken breasts covered in a creamy Parmesan sauce and baked until perfectly juicy and tender!

Angry Chicken– with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.

Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas– perfect for a quick and delicious dinner. Simply toss all the ingredients onto a sheet pan and let the oven do the work.