Are you looking for the ultimate, super-fast, and ridiculously easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will go absolutely crazy for? These amazing, oven-baked Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas are your new go-to! Using a few smart shortcuts, like pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and your favorite jarred sauces, you can have these cheesy, crispy, and incredibly flavor-packed quesadillas on the table in about 20 minutes from start to finish.
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a guide to the perfect, stress-free meal. We’ll show you the brilliant and game-changing technique of baking your quesadillas on a sheet pan in the oven, which means you can make enough for the whole family all at once—no more standing over a hot stove flipping them one by one! This is the kind of satisfying, crowd-pleasing dinner that will make your weeknight so much easier and more delicious.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner
What makes these BBQ Chicken Quesadillas so spectacularly delicious is their incredible, flavor-packed filling and the foolproof oven-baked method. The filling is a masterpiece of efficiency, combining tender, shredded cooked chicken with a simple, no-cook “trifecta” sauce of barbecue sauce, salsa, and taco sauce. The result is a smoky, sweet, and tangy filling that tastes like it has been simmering for hours. The brilliant sheet pan method ensures that every single quesadilla is perfectly cooked, with a golden-brown and crispy tortilla and a thick, gooey, and perfectly melted cheesy center.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 20 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4 quesadillas |
The Essential Ingredients for This Quick Quesadilla
This recipe uses a handful of smart shortcuts and pantry staples to create its signature comforting and savory flavor.
- The Shortcut Protein:
- Shredded Cooked Chicken: Using about 3 cups of pre-cooked, shredded chicken is the ultimate time-saver. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the perfect, convenient choice. This is also the absolute best way to use up any leftover cooked chicken or turkey!
- The “Trifecta” Sauce: This is the secret to a complex, delicious sauce with zero cooking required!
- Barbecue Sauce: Your favorite brand of BBQ sauce provides a wonderful, smoky, and sweet foundation.
- Salsa: A good quality, chunky salsa adds a fresh, vibrant, and tangy tomato and onion flavor.
- Taco Sauce: A classic, mild taco sauce adds a savory, slightly spiced, and authentic Tex-Mex flavor to the mix.
- The Cheese: A good, flavorful melting cheese is key. The recipe calls for shredded sharp cheddar cheese, which provides a wonderful, tangy flavor that stands up beautifully to the bold sauce.
- The Tortillas: Simple, 8-inch flour tortillas are the perfect, soft, and pliable vessel for our hearty filling.
Step-by-Step to the Easiest Quesadillas Ever
This delicious meal comes together in just a few simple stages.
Step 1: Make the BBQ Chicken Filling
First, preheat your oven to a very hot 450°F (232°C).
In a large bowl, toss together the 3 cups of shredded cooked chicken, the 4-ounce can of chopped green chiles, the 1/2 cup of salsa, the 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce, and the 1/4 cup of taco sauce.
Method 1: The Oven-Baked Method (Perfect for a Crowd!)
Step 1: Divide 4 of your flour tortillas between 2 large baking sheets.
Step 2: Spread the prepared chicken mixture evenly over the 4 tortillas on the baking sheets.
Step 3: Sprinkle the 3/4 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken mixture.
Step 4: Top each one with one of the remaining tortillas.
Step 5: Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until the tortillas are a beautiful light golden brown and the cheese has completely melted.
Method 2: The Classic Skillet Method
If you are only making one or two quesadillas, you can use the classic skillet method.
Step 1: Heat a large, dry, nonstick skillet over medium heat.
Step 2: Place one tortilla in the hot skillet. Spread about one-quarter of the chicken mixture over the tortilla and sprinkle with one-quarter of the cheese.
Step 3: Top with a second tortilla. Cook for about 2-3 minutes per side, carefully flipping once, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is completely melted.
Cut each hot quesadilla into 6 wedges. If you desire, serve them with some cool sour cream and some additional salsa for dipping.
The Easiest Cheesy BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
An easy recipe for baked barbecue chicken quesadillas, perfect for a quick weeknight meal. The filling is a simple and flavorful mixture of shredded cooked chicken tossed with chopped green chiles, salsa, barbecue sauce, and taco sauce. This mixture is spread onto large flour tortillas, sprinkled with sharp cheddar cheese, and then topped with another tortilla. The quesadillas are baked on a sheet pan until they are lightly browned and the cheese is melted.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chiles
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup taco sauce
- 8 flour tortillas (8 inches)
- 3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Optional for serving: Sour cream and additional salsa
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- In a large bowl, toss together the shredded chicken, chopped green chiles, salsa, barbecue sauce, and taco sauce.
- Divide 4 of the tortillas between 2 baking sheets.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the 4 tortillas on the baking sheets.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken mixture.
- Top each with one of the remaining 4 tortillas.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes, or until the quesadillas are lightly browned and the cheese is melted.
- Cut each quesadilla into 6 wedges.
- If desired, serve with sour cream and additional salsa for dipping.
Notes
- This recipe uses pre-cooked shredded chicken (such as from a rotisserie chicken) as a convenient time-saving shortcut.
- Baking the quesadillas on a sheet pan is an easy, hands-off alternative to frying them individually in a skillet.
- This is a great recipe for using up leftover chicken.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Quesadillas are a fantastic make-ahead meal for a week of delicious and easy lunches or dinners.
- Make-Ahead: The BBQ chicken filling is the perfect make-ahead component! You can prepare the entire filling up to 3 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This turns the final meal into a true, 10-minute assembly and bake job.
- Storage: Store any leftover quesadillas, well-wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The absolute best way to reheat quesadillas and bring back their original crispy texture is in a dry skillet on the stovetop, in an air fryer, or on a baking sheet in a hot oven.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Protein: If you’re not a fan of chicken, this delicious filling is also absolutely fantastic with an equal amount of leftover pulled pork, shredded beef, or even some seasoned, browned ground turkey. For a great vegetarian version, you can substitute the chicken with one 15-ounce can of drained and rinsed black beans.
- Add More Veggies: For some extra flavor and nutrition, you can stir about 1/2 to 1 cup of drained, canned corn or some sautéed, chopped onions and bell peppers into the chicken mixture.
- Use a Different Cheese: While sharp cheddar is a fantastic choice, this dish would also be delicious with a classic, melty Monterey Jack, a smoky Gouda, or a spicy pepper jack cheese.
Enjoy The Ultimate Easy & Cheesy Meal!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. These Barbecue Chicken Quesadillas are a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch-tasting meal to bring the whole family together. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested family favorite.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, cheesy, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute best way to make multiple quesadillas at once for a family or a party?
The sheet pan, oven-baked method described in this recipe is a complete game-changer! Instead of standing over the stove and pan-frying them one at a time, this brilliant technique allows you to make four or more quesadillas all at the same time, and it guarantees that they will all be hot, crispy, and ready to serve together.
Q2: How do I get my quesadillas crispy, not soggy?
The key to a crispy quesadilla is to use a hot, dry cooking surface. For the oven-baked method, a very hot oven (450°F) is crucial. For the skillet method, be sure your pan is fully preheated before you add the quesadilla. It’s also a great idea to not overfill your quesadillas, as a very wet filling can sometimes create steam and make the tortilla soft.
Q3: Can I make the BBQ chicken filling ahead of time?
Yes, this is a perfect meal-prep recipe! You can prepare the entire chicken filling and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This makes the final assembly for a weeknight dinner incredibly fast.
Q4: Can I freeze the chicken filling?
Yes, the BBQ chicken filling freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, and then you can store it in a freezer-safe container or a resealable bag for up to 3 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before you use it to assemble your quesadillas.
Q5: Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
You can, but you will need to warm them first to make them pliable. To do this, you can wrap a stack of corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 30-60 seconds, or you can warm them one at a time in a dry skillet. Please note that corn tortillas will result in a much crispier, more cracker-like quesadilla than the softer, chewier flour tortillas.