Leftover chicken sitting in the fridge? Turn it into crispy, cheesy, flavor-packed BBQ chicken quesadillas in just 15 minutes! Think tender shredded chicken, smoky barbecue sauce, melty cheese, and a golden, crispy tortilla—aka the perfect easy meal.
Bonus: These are super customizable—swap the BBQ sauce for buffalo sauce, add extra veggies, or load them up with toppings!
Ingredients
✔ Leftover shredded chicken
✔ BBQ sauce (sweet, smoky, or spicy—your call!)
✔ Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
✔ Flour tortillas (soft taco size works best)
✔ Butter or olive oil (for crispy tortillas)
✔ Red onion (optional, but adds great flavor)
✔ Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
How to Make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Step 1: Mix the Chicken & BBQ Sauce
In a bowl, toss your leftover shredded chicken with BBQ sauce until it’s well coated. Add diced red onion if you like a little crunch!
Step 2: Assemble the Quesadilla
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a little butter or oil and place one tortilla in the pan. Sprinkle cheese over half the tortilla, then spoon the BBQ chicken mixture on top. Add more cheese (because why not?), then fold the tortilla over.
Step 3: Cook Until Crispy
Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula, until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melty. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
Step 4: Slice & Serve
Let the quesadilla cool slightly before slicing into wedges. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream, guacamole, or extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
Other Ways to Use Leftover Chicken
✔ Chicken Fried Rice – Toss your shredded chicken into a pan with rice, veggies, soy sauce, and scrambled egg for a quick, tasty meal.
✔ Buffalo Chicken Wraps – Mix chicken with buffalo sauce, wrap it in a tortilla with ranch, lettuce, and cheese, and call it lunch.
✔ Chicken & Avocado Salad – Toss with greens, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a zesty dressing for a light meal.
✔ Chicken Soup – Simmer your chicken with broth, veggies, and noodles for a comforting classic.
✔ Loaded Chicken Nachos – Layer tortilla chips with chicken, cheese, black beans, and bake until bubbly.