A Chicken Quesadilla with Cheese and Salsa is one of the most satisfying and universally loved dishes you can make at home. It features tender, seasoned chicken layered with melted gooey cheese, all tucked inside a perfectly toasted tortilla. Paired with fresh salsa, this quesadilla becomes a complete flavor experience—crispy on the outside, melty inside, and bursting with savory, slightly spicy goodness. This classic Mexican-inspired dish is quick to prepare, family-friendly, and perfect for lunch, dinner, or even as a hearty snack.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and big flavor. It uses basic ingredients you’re likely to already have on hand, but the result tastes restaurant-worthy. The combination of chicken, cheese, and salsa is timeless, and you can easily customize the filling to suit your taste. It cooks fast, makes minimal mess, and is ideal for days when you want something satisfying without spending hours in the kitchen.
Why This Is a Must-Try Dish
This dish is a must-try because it delivers everything you want in a quick meal: it’s easy, versatile, delicious, and filling. Whether you are cooking for yourself or feeding a family, quesadillas are an instant crowd-pleaser. They can be made with leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or freshly cooked chicken, and the variations are endless. Once you try this version with a generous amount of cheese and salsa, it will quickly become a go-to recipe you’ll crave again and again.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings : Makes 4 quesadillas (serves 4)
Calories : Approximately 350 to 450 calories per quesadilla (depending on cheese and tortilla size)
Course : Main Course, Snack
Cuisine : Mexican, Tex-Mex
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
- 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons water or chicken broth
For the Quesadillas
- 8 medium flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- 1⁄2 cup fresh salsa or pico de gallo
- 1 tablespoon butter or oil (for toasting)
Optional Extras
- Sliced jalapeños
- Sautéed onions or bell peppers
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Extra salsa for serving
Cooking Directions
- Season and cook the chicken mixture in a skillet until warm and flavorful.
- Lay out tortillas, fill with chicken, cheese, and salsa.
- Fold tortillas in half.
- Toast each quesadilla in a skillet until golden brown and the cheese melts.
- Slice and serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Step-by-Step Preparation Method
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken
If using leftover or rotisserie chicken, shred or dice it. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken along with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of water or broth and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until everything is coated and heated through.
Step 2: Assemble the Quesadillas
Lay tortillas flat on a clean surface. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle a layer of cheese. Add a portion of the seasoned chicken. Spoon a little salsa over the chicken, then top with more cheese for extra melt. Fold each tortilla in half.
Step 3: Cook the Quesadillas
Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Place one or two folded quesadillas in the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
Step 4: Slice and Serve
Transfer cooked quesadillas to a cutting board and let them cool for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
How to Serve
Serve quesadillas warm and freshly toasted. They pair perfectly with salsa, sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole, or a squeeze of lime. They’re excellent alongside a salad, Mexican rice, or tortilla chips for a complete meal.
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the best melt.
- Do not overfill quesadillas; too much filling makes them hard to flip.
- Cook over medium heat to prevent burning before the cheese melts.
- For extra crispy tortillas, lightly butter the outside before cooking.
- Leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken works wonderfully in this recipe.
Variations
Spicy Chicken Quesadilla
Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
Veggie Chicken Quesadilla
Add sautéed onions, bell peppers, corn, or spinach for extra flavor and texture.
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Replace salsa with BBQ sauce and use mozzarella or smoked cheddar.
Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla
Mix 1 teaspoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo with the chicken.
Breakfast Quesadilla
Add scrambled eggs and swap salsa for fresh pico de gallo.
Freezing and Storage Time
Storage
- Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in a skillet or oven to keep them crispy.
Freezing
- Freeze uncooked quesadillas wrapped tightly in foil or plastic wrap for up to 2 months.
- Cook from frozen on a skillet over low heat until warmed through.
- Cooked quesadillas can also be frozen and reheated the same way.
Special Equipment Needed
- Skillet or frying pan
- Spatula
- Mixing bowl
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
Conclusion
Chicken Quesadilla with Cheese and Salsa is the perfect quick and flavorful meal that satisfies every craving. With crispy tortillas, melted cheese, seasoned chicken, and vibrant salsa, every bite is bursting with deliciousness. This recipe is easy, flexible, and ideal for busy nights, family meals, or entertaining guests. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself returning to this comforting, crowd-pleasing dish again and again. If you’d like a printable format or a healthier version, I can prepare that too.
Chicken Quesadilla with Cheese and Salsa
Description
A Chicken Quesadilla with Cheese and Salsa is one of the most satisfying and universally loved dishes you can make at home. It features tender, seasoned chicken layered with melted gooey cheese, all tucked inside a perfectly toasted tortilla.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Filling
For the Quesadillas
Optional Extras
Instructions
-
Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken : If using leftover or rotisserie chicken, shred or dice it. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken along with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add a splash of water or broth and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until everything is coated and heated through.
-
Step 2: Assemble the Quesadillas : Lay tortillas flat on a clean surface. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle a layer of cheese. Add a portion of the seasoned chicken. Spoon a little salsa over the chicken, then top with more cheese for extra melt. Fold each tortilla in half.
-
Step 3: Cook the Quesadillas : Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Place one or two folded quesadillas in the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas.
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Step 4: Slice and Serve : Transfer cooked quesadillas to a cutting board and let them cool for 1 minute before slicing into wedges. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.
