Quick Crispy Chicken Quesadillas
A fast and easy recipe for crispy chicken quesadillas with gooey cheese and perfectly seasoned chicken, ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 large flour tortillas (10-inch size)
- 1½ cups shredded cheese (blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- Optional: chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for garnish
- Optional extras: sliced jalapeños, sour cream or guacamole for dipping, fresh lime wedges
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, toss the cooked chicken with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated (about 2 minutes).
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Warm until shimmering but not smoking (1-2 minutes).
- Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spread about ½ cup of the seasoned chicken mixture on half of the tortilla. Sprinkle ⅓ to ½ cup of shredded cheese on top. Fold the tortilla in half to cover the filling.
- Place the folded quesadilla in the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, pressing gently with a spatula. Flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Remove the cooked quesadilla and place on a cutting board. Repeat assembly and cooking with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Let quesadillas rest for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. Garnish with cilantro or green onions if desired. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or lime wedges.
Notes
Use medium heat to avoid burning tortillas and ensure cheese melts properly. Add a small splash of oil if skillet seems dry during cooking. Let quesadillas rest before slicing to prevent cheese from spilling. For gluten-free, use corn tortillas or gluten-free wraps. For dairy-free, use vegan cheese alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: chicken quesadillas, quick dinner, crispy quesadillas, easy recipe, weeknight meal, Mexican food, cheesy quesadillas