This Chicken Quesadilla is a quick, crispy, cheesy meal that tastes restaurant-quality. This customizable recipe includes bold buffalo sauce, creamy chicken filling, and a golden, buttery crunch in every bite.
For more delicious quesadilla recipes, try my Bacon Cheeseburger Quesadillas and this Super Cheesy Cheese Quesadilla. You should also check out my Better Than Taco Bell Breakfast Crunchwrap.
Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
Anyone can make a quesadilla, but if you want the best chicken quesadilla, you need this recipe! It's all about the filling. Forget dry, bland chicken and toss it with fiery buffalo sauce and creamy cheese for a tangy, spicy upgrade.
The combination melts perfectly inside a toasted, flour tortilla that crisps up in the skillet. You’ve probably seen those ooey-gooey cheese pulls all over TikTok; now, you can enjoy that same irresistible experience at home. This quesadilla is quick, customizable, and packed with flavor, so I love it for busy week nights and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- Chicken: Use shredded, pre-cooked chicken. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken in order to save time, but any chicken you have in the fridge is fine. Just make sure it's boneless and skinless.
- Cream cheese: Make sure it is at room temperature for easy mixing.
- Buffalo sauce: You can purchase a great-tasting pre-made buffalo sauce or make one from scratch by combining equal parts hot sauce and melted butter. Be mindful of your desired spice level when purchasing or making your sauce.
- Seasoned salt: This all-encompassing seasoning is super convenient and adds more flavor without distracting from the buffalo sauce.
- Butter: This is used to grill the quesadillas.
- Tortillas: Large flour tortillas work best so you can stuff more yummy goodness inside but corn tortillas are equally as delicious... just smaller.
- Cheese: For an extra cheesy buffalo chicken quesadilla, I used mozzarella but any shredded, melty cheese will work. Cheddar cheese, Mexican cheese blend, or Monterey jack cheese would be good options too.
How to Make Chicken Quesadillas
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Prepare the Filling
In a large bowl, I combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and seasoned salt. I mix everything together with a spoon until it's thoroughly combined and looks evenly blended.
Assemble and Grill
I heat a skillet over medium heat and add a tablespoon of butter, letting it melt completely. Once the butter is sizzling, I place a large tortilla in the skillet.
I sprinkle ½ cup of mozzarella on one half of the tortilla, spread half of the buffalo chicken mixture evenly on top, and add another ½ cup of mozzarella over the chicken. I fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling and press gently.
Finish & Serve Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
I grill the quesadilla for about 3-5 minutes on each side until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted. I repeat these steps for the remaining tortillas and filling. Once done, I serve each chicken quesadilla with my favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- Use room temperature cream cheese. This ensures it mixes smoothly with the shredded chicken and buffalo sauce for a consistent, creamy filling.
- Don’t skimp on the butter when grilling. Butter helps create that perfectly crisp, golden exterior and adds a layer of rich flavor.
- Spread the filling evenly. This helps each bite have a balance of cheesy, spicy, and creamy goodness without one side being overloaded.
- Keep the heat at medium. Cooking on medium heat prevents the tortilla from burning before the cheese inside has a chance to melt.
- Rest the quesadillas briefly before cutting. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice and serve without the filling spilling out.
Storage
These buffalo chicken quesadillas are best served fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm them over medium heat in a skillet with a bit of oil or butter to keep the tortilla crispy and the filling hot.
Variations & Fillings
- Tortillas: Swap the flour tortillas for corn tortillas if you prefer a more authentic flavor and texture. They add a nice, slightly chewy bite and pair well with bold fillings.
- Veggies: Add extra flavor and texture with bell peppers or fresh tomatoes. Sautéed onions or spinach can also bring more depth and color to the filling.
- Protein: Mix it up by using pulled pork, shrimp, or shredded beef for a twist on the classic. For a vegetarian option, black beans are a hearty and satisfying substitute that pairs well with the buffalo sauce and cheese.
What to Serve with a Chicken Quesadilla
- Guacamole: Creamy guacamole adds a rich, cool contrast to the spicy, cheesy quesadilla. Its fresh avocado flavor and hint of lime make each bite even more satisfying.
- Pico De Gallo: This fresh tomato salsa is the perfect pairing, adding a burst of zesty, bright flavors. The combination of tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice complements the buffalo chicken filling.
- Homemade Salsa: Fresh green salsa, made with boiled jalapeños, brings a tangy, slightly spicy kick that pairs well with the cheesy quesadillas.
- Pickled Jalapenos: For an extra punch of heat and tang, pickled jalapeños are a must. Their vinegary bite cuts through the richness of the cheese and chicken, balancing the flavors.
- Rice and Beans: Serve your quesadillas with a side of rice and beans for a hearty, complete meal. The fluffy rice and seasoned beans provide a warm, comforting contrast that rounds out the dish.
- Sauce: Dip sliced quesadillas into jalapeno ranch, sour cream, blue cheese dressing, ranch dressing, or even additional buffalo wing sauce!
FAQ
What cheese makes the best quesadillas?
Mozzarella cheese is perfect for quesadillas because of its excellent melting quality and stretchy, gooey texture that everyone loves. To add more flavor depth, mixing in a bit of sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack can create a balanced combination that pairs well with the buffalo chicken filling.
How do I prevent the quesadillas from getting soggy?
To avoid soggy quesadillas, make sure not to overfill them and cook them over medium heat to let the tortilla crisp up properly. Using butter or a light drizzle of oil in the skillet helps create a golden, crispy exterior.
Can I make my chicken quesadilla ahead of time?
You can assemble the quesadillas ahead of time and store them in the fridge for a few hours before cooking. When ready to serve, cook them in a skillet over medium heat until they’re golden and the cheese is melted.
Related
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📖 Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chicken shredded
- ½ block Cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup Buffalo sauce (see notes below)
- ½ tablespoon Seasoned salt
- 2 tablespoons Butter (to grill quesadillas)
- 2 large Tortillas
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Using a large bowl, add the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and seasoned salt. Use a spoon and mix it up until everything is combined.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add one tablespoon of butter to the skillet and let it melt. Place one large tortilla directly into the butter.
- Next add ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese on one half of the tortilla. Top with ½ of the buffalo chicken mixture and spread it out into an even layer over the half of tortilla.
- Then add another ½ cup of mozzarella directly over the chicken. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the chicken and cheese mixture.
- Grill on each side for 3-5 minutes, or until the tortilla is browned and the cheese is melted.
- Continue these steps until all quesadillas are made.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
Tija says
Delicious
Kelly says
I love how simple and quick these quesadillas were to make. I had all the ingredients already which made them even better! Will definitely be making them again soon!
Tamara J. says
I am so happy you guys enjoyed them!
Rhonda says
I couldn’t wait to make these quesadillas when I saw them on Pinterest. They were so quick and easy, and absolutely delicious! My kids loved them!