Chicken quesadillas are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that combines the savory flavors of shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, and a mix of bell pepper and onion. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying snack, these quesadillas are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Most of the ingredients for this recipe are commonly found in your kitchen. However, if you don't usually keep bell pepper or cumin on hand, you might need to pick them up at the supermarket. Bell pepper adds a sweet crunch, while cumin provides a warm, earthy flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.

Ingredients For Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Cooked chicken: Shredded chicken that has been cooked beforehand, providing a tender and flavorful base for the quesadillas.
Cheddar cheese: Shredded cheese that melts beautifully, adding a rich and creamy texture.
Flour tortillas: Soft and pliable tortillas that hold the filling together and crisp up nicely when cooked.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables, adding a subtle flavor and preventing sticking.
Bell pepper: Diced for a sweet and crunchy addition to the filling.
Onion: Diced to add a savory depth of flavor.
Cumin: A spice that adds a warm, earthy flavor to the chicken mixture.
Chili powder: Adds a bit of heat and a smoky flavor to the filling.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and balances the flavors.
Technique Tip for Making Quesadillas
When preparing the bell pepper and onion, make sure to dice them uniformly. This ensures even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the quesadilla. Additionally, when adding the cheese, distribute it evenly across the tortilla to create a gooey, melty layer that binds the chicken mixture together.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
cooked chicken - Substitute with cooked turkey: Turkey has a similar texture and flavor profile to chicken, making it a suitable substitute.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with monterey jack cheese: Monterey Jack melts well and has a mild flavor that complements the other ingredients.
flour tortillas - Substitute with corn tortillas: Corn tortillas offer a different texture and flavor, and are also gluten-free.
olive oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil has a neutral flavor and similar cooking properties.
bell pepper - Substitute with poblano pepper: Poblano peppers add a mild heat and a slightly smoky flavor.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander has a warm, nutty flavor that can complement the other spices.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika provides a mild heat and a rich color, similar to chili powder.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, often used in lighter-colored dishes.
Alternative Recipes Similar to Quesadillas
How to Store or Freeze Quesadillas
- Allow the chicken quesadillas to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Wrap each quesadilla individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps maintain their shape and keeps them from sticking together.
- Place the wrapped quesadillas in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. If using a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
- Label the container or bag with the date. This ensures you know how long they've been stored.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place them in the freezer where they can last up to 2 months.
- To reheat refrigerated quesadillas, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the quesadillas on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through and the cheese is melted.
- For frozen quesadillas, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Alternatively, you can reheat them directly from frozen by baking at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes.
- If you prefer a quicker method, reheat the quesadillas in a skillet over medium heat. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is crispy and the filling is hot.
- Avoid using the microwave for reheating as it can make the quesadillas rubbery and less enjoyable.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken quesadillas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them loosely 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 crispy.
Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the quesadillas in the skillet and cover with a lid. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are golden brown.
Microwave Method: Place the quesadillas on a microwave-safe plate. Cover them with a damp paper towel to keep them from drying out. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heated evenly.
Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the quesadillas on the toaster oven tray. Heat for about 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
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 3-5 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heated evenly and the tortillas are crispy.
Grill Method: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the quesadillas on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the cheese is melted and the tortillas have grill marks.
Best Tools for Making Quesadillas
Skillet: Used for cooking the diced bell pepper and onion until soft, and for heating the tortillas to make the quesadillas.
Olive oil: Essential for sautéing the vegetables and adding flavor.
Spatula: Handy for stirring the vegetables and flipping the quesadillas.
Knife: Necessary for dicing the bell pepper and onion.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping the vegetables.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper accurately.
Mixing bowl: Useful for combining the shredded chicken with the spices before adding it to the skillet.
Cheese grater: Needed to shred the cheddar cheese.
Plate: For placing the cooked quesadillas before cutting them into wedges.
Knife: Used again to cut the quesadillas into wedges for serving.
How to Save Time on Making Quesadillas
Prepare the filling: Cook and season the chicken, bell pepper, and onion in advance. Store them in the fridge for quick assembly later.
Use pre-cooked chicken: Save time by using rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked shredded chicken from the store.
Shred cheese in bulk: Shred a large amount of cheddar cheese and store it in an airtight container for multiple uses.
Assemble ahead: Prepare the quesadillas and store them in the fridge. Simply cook them when ready to eat.
One-pan method: Cook the filling and assemble the quesadillas in the same skillet to reduce cleanup time.

Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 Flour tortillas
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Bell pepper, diced
- 1 Onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced bell pepper and onion, cook until soft.
- Add shredded chicken, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Place a tortilla in another skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle half with cheese, then add chicken mixture, and top with more cheese. Fold tortilla over.
- Cook until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Cut into wedges and serve warm.
Nutritional Value
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