Grilled chicken quesadillas are a delightful fusion of smoky grilled chicken and gooey cheddar cheese, all wrapped in a crispy flour tortilla. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a weekend barbecue, these quesadillas are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
If you don't typically have flour tortillas or cheddar cheese in your pantry, you might need to make a quick trip to the supermarket. Flour tortillas are usually found in the bread or international foods aisle, while cheddar cheese is located in the dairy section. Make sure to get a good quality olive oil for brushing the tortillas to achieve that perfect golden brown crisp.

Ingredients for Grilled Chicken Quesadillas
Cooked chicken: Shredded cooked chicken provides the main protein for the quesadillas, adding a savory and satisfying element.
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese melts beautifully, creating a rich and creamy filling.
Flour tortillas: Large flour tortillas serve as the perfect vessel to hold all the delicious fillings together.
Olive oil: Brushing olive oil on the tortillas helps them crisp up nicely on the grill.
Salsa: Salsa is served on the side, adding a fresh and tangy contrast to the rich quesadillas.
Technique Tip for Perfect Quesadillas
When preparing grilled chicken quesadillas, ensure the tortillas are evenly brushed with olive oil to achieve a perfectly crisp texture. To prevent the cheese from spilling out, place the shredded chicken and cheese slightly away from the edges. Use a grill press or a heavy pan to weigh down the quesadillas while cooking, ensuring even heat distribution and a uniform golden brown color.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooked chicken - Substitute with cooked turkey: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile, making it a great alternative to chicken.
cooked chicken - Substitute with tofu: For a vegetarian option, tofu provides a similar protein content and can be seasoned to mimic the flavor of chicken.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with monterey jack cheese: Monterey Jack melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella offers a creamy texture and a mild taste that works well in quesadillas.
flour tortillas - Substitute with corn tortillas: Corn tortillas provide a different texture and flavor, and are also gluten-free.
flour tortillas - Substitute with whole wheat tortillas: Whole wheat tortillas offer a healthier option with more fiber and nutrients.
olive oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties, making it a good alternative.
olive oil - Substitute with butter: Butter can add a rich flavor and helps in achieving a crispy texture when grilling the quesadillas.
salsa - Substitute with pico de gallo: Pico de gallo is a fresh, chunky alternative that provides a similar flavor profile with a bit more texture.
salsa - Substitute with guacamole: Guacamole offers a creamy, rich alternative that pairs well with the other ingredients in the quesadilla.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Quesadillas
How to Store or Freeze Quesadillas
- Allow the quesadillas to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from making them soggy.
- Wrap each quesadilla individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent them from sticking together.
- Place the wrapped quesadillas in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This helps to keep out moisture and air, ensuring they stay fresh longer.
- Store the container or bag in the refrigerator if you plan to eat the quesadillas within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer.
- To freeze, lay the wrapped quesadillas flat on a baking sheet and place in the freezer for about 1-2 hours. This flash-freezing method prevents them from sticking together.
- Once frozen, transfer the quesadillas to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of their freshness.
- When ready to reheat, remove the desired number of quesadillas from the freezer. For best results, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat the quesadillas in a skillet over medium heat, cooking for 2-3 minutes on each side until heated through and the cheese is melted. Alternatively, you can reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes.
- Serve with fresh salsa or your favorite dipping sauce to enhance the flavors.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the quesadillas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are heated through.
Stovetop Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the quesadillas in the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
Microwave Method: Place the quesadillas on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. Microwave on high for about 1-2 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the quesadillas are heated through. Note that this method may result in softer tortillas.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the quesadillas in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the quesadillas on the toaster oven tray. Bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are heated through.
Grill Method: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the quesadillas on the grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
Essential Tools for Making Quesadillas
Grill: Used to cook the quesadillas, giving them a nice char and melted cheese.
Basting brush: Used to brush olive oil onto the tortillas.
Cutting board: Provides a clean surface to assemble the quesadillas.
Knife: Used to cut the quesadillas into wedges after grilling.
Tongs: Handy for flipping the quesadillas on the grill.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the shredded chicken and cheese.
Serving platter: For presenting the quesadillas with salsa on the side.
Time-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Prepare the filling: Use pre-cooked chicken and pre-shredded cheese to save time.
Uniform shape: Use a pizza cutter to quickly and evenly cut the quesadillas into wedges.
Efficient grilling: Grill multiple quesadillas at once if your grill is large enough.
Organize ingredients: Lay out all ingredients before starting to streamline the assembly process.
Quick cleanup: Line your grill with foil to make cleanup faster and easier.

Grilled Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 large Flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 cup Salsa for serving
Instructions
- 1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- 2. Brush one side of each tortilla with olive oil.
- 3. Place the tortillas, oil side down, on a clean surface. Sprinkle half of the cheese on one half of each tortilla.
- 4. Top with shredded chicken and the remaining cheese. Fold the tortillas in half to cover the filling.
- 5. Place the quesadillas on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are golden brown.
- 6. Remove from the grill and let them cool for a minute before cutting into wedges.
- 7. Serve with salsa on the side.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
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