These cheesy chicken quesadillas are bursting with flavour from plenty of chicken, black beans, pickled banana peppers, corn and lots of cheese. The finishing touch? Adobo sauce for that smoky heat. You’re gonna love this easy quesadilla recipe!
Today I’m sharing a cheesy chicken quesadilla recipe that I think you’re going to love (well, I know we do!).
Quesadillas are something we regularly enjoy in our home.
They not only taste delicious, but are super quick to whip up. Whether it’s for a busy weeknight dinner or a casual Friday night meal, they always hit the spot!
Aside from this chicken version, some of our favourite quesadilla recipes include ground beef quesadillas, black bean quesadillas, turkey quesadillas and even veggie and egg quesadillas. Suffice to say, we are big fans of them!
I mean, what’s not to love? A crispy exterior with a cheesy, hearty centre? Sign me up!
How To Make Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- Divide half of the shredded cheese between each tortilla (on one side of them).
- Then top the cheese with cooked chicken, black beans, corn, pickled banana peppers, adobo sauce and the remaining shredded cheese.
- Fold over each tortilla so it’s a half-moon shape, then pan fry (in batches) in a greased pan. (After pan frying, the quesadillas should be golden brown and crispy on the outside; the inside should be heated through and the cheese nice and melty.)
- Once the quesadillas are cooked, cut them in half. There ya have it, easy cheesy chicken quesadillas!
Serving Ideas
Some off my faves to serve with these cheesy chicken quesadillas are:
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
- Greek yogurt
- Lime wedges
- Pickled red onion
- Cilantro
Tips and Variations
- Make sure your beans are rinsed, drained and patted dry so they don’t leak too much moisture into the quesadillas … same with the corn and banana peppers.
- Leftover cooked turkey? You can totally use that instead of the chicken if that’s what you have on hand or prefer.
- Don’t have, don’t like or don’t want to use adobo sauce? Substitute with your favourite BBQ sauce.
- Cheddar cheese (a marble variety, actually) was the cheese of choice for this cheesy chicken quesadilla recipe, but you could use another variety if you prefer (or mix some). Just pick a nice melting cheese. Here are some great melting cheese options.
More Yummy Recipes
If you make this cheesy chicken quesadilla recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
This cheese and chicken quesadilla recipe was originally published May 18, 2018 but has been updated.
Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (I used a marble cheddar cheese)
- 6 flour tortillas, each about 7 to 8 inches in diameter
- 2.5 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces or shredded
- â…” cup canned no salt added black beans, rinsed, drained and patted dry of excess moisture
- ½ cup canned corn kernels, rinsed, drained and patted dry of excess moisture
- â…“ cup pickled sliced banana peppers, squeezed or patted dry with paper towel to remove excess moisture
- 3 tablespoons adobo sauce (from canned chipotles in adobo sauce), or more to taste if you want things spicier/smokier (another delicious option is BBQ sauce)
- 2 chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped (optional)
- 6 teaspoons olive oil or vegetable oil, divided (to grease pan)
- Salsa, Greek yogurt, guacamole or sour cream, for serving with (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (to keep quesadillas warm while preparing batches). This is optional.Â
- Meanwhile, to assemble the quesadillas: divide half of the cheddar cheese (1.5 cups) among one half of each tortilla. Place cooked chicken among each tortilla (on top of cheese), then top chicken with black beans, corn, banana peppers and adobo sauce. Divide remaining 1.5 cups of cheddar cheese among the tortillas (on top of adobo sauce). Fold over each tortilla so it's a half-moon shape.Note: If desired (and totally optional), is to also add some chopped chipotles in adobo sauce when you add the adobo sauce.
- To cook quesadillas, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil or vegetable oil in large non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Gently swirl the oil around the pan so you get good coverage.Note: Cook the quesadillas in batches, two quesadillas at a time, adding more oil to the pan between batches as necessary.
- Place two quesadillas in the pan. Cook quesadillas for 2 to 3 minutes on one side.
- Carefully flip the quesadillas to the other side and continue to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside, the filling is heated through, and the cheese is melted (carefully watch to ensure they don't burn). Once done, transfer the quesadillas to a sheet pan and place into your preheated oven to keep warm while you are continuing to cook the remaining quesadillas.
- Repeat process to cook remaining quesadillas.
- Once the quesadillas are done, cut each quesadilla in half so you end up with 12 pieces. Delicious served with salsa, Greek yogurt, guacamole or sour cream. Enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Kevin O'Leary
I already have everything I need for these! They look amazing.
Christina
Yep, I’m drooling. Quesadillas are one of my husband’s favorite meals. I pinned the pics of this post before even reading it. I thought, “Whelp, my hubbers needs to see this, he’s going to approve!” 🙂
Seriously, lovely pictures and kick butt recipe!
Thao @ In Good Flavor
These look delicious, Dawn! And yo can’ beat it in the quick and easy category either! I’ve never made quesadillas in the oven before. I don’t know why it never occurred to me to bake them. It’s such a time saver!!
Shashi at SavorySpin
Oh my – Dawn – I so love how chunky these quesadillas are! When my daughter was younger, quesadillas happened often in our kitchen but we haven’t had them in way way too long. I had forgotten how easy and comforting they can be and looking at these reminds me of how tasty they are too!
We had a long weekend – but my daughter and I made it a long week+3 days and headed to Seattle and the Oregon coast for a vacay – so glad to be back catching up with your delicious eats on your blog and not just on Insta! Happy Wednesday to you and your hubs!
XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Shashi! You’re always so sweet! Quesadillas always hit the spot – we love ’em around here 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely weekend, my friend! XOXO
Jolina
Hi Dawn! How are you? These quesadillas look bomb. We regularly make quesadillas too and your recipe looks packed with so much yummy stuff! Red usually whips up a sour cream/chipotle sauce for it. I am excited to try adobo sauce too. We’ve been enjoying (or maybe I’m the only one enjoying haha) a heatwave these past few days. Hope you’re having a lovely week!
Girl Heart Food
Hey Jolina!! Thanks you so much! I’m sure you’ll love the adobo sauce and these quesadillas! Send along some sunshine, would ya 😉 Hope you’re having an awesome weekend!
Marissa
Confession: I could eat quesadillas a few days a week, every week, and be perfectly happy. Especially when they’re paired with so many different dips and toppings. SO. GOOD. Loving everything about these, Dawn.
Girl Heart Food
Me too, Marissa!! Thanks so much, my friend 🙂
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Quesadillas are a go-to in our house too, and we always make them in the oven. So quick and easy! Love the chicken and cheese combo. That’s a classic I never get tired of!
Girl Heart Food
It is quite the tasty combo 😉 Thanks Leanne!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Dawn, your process shots are amazing! (Which feels like a weird compliment to me but I struggle with them so I’m super impressed!) I’m not sure if you’re aware of just how often I eat quesadillas, but it’s a lot. Like, almost as much as I eat peanut butter :). These are going to make it into my rotation for sure!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Kelsie!! I eat them a lot too…they’re just too dang tasty!! Hope you love ’em as much as we do 🙂
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Love quesadillas for a quick and easy meal and these look perfect! A great way to use up leftover chicken 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Jennifer! We love them too!
Milena
I don’t think I’ve ever made quesadillas in the oven. So much easier and time saving and such a great way to use up rotisserie chicken leftover meat. I will be sure to load mine with lots of extras! Pinned!
Girl Heart Food
SO easy!! Thanks Milena! Hope you guys love ’em 🙂
annie@ciaochowbambina
Quesadillas always hit the spot!! This is a meal I can never get enough of! They look incredible! YUM!! Have a great week, my friend! XOXO
Girl Heart Food
Most definitely! Thanks Annie! Have a great week too! XOXO
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
Who doesn’t love quesadillas? These look absolutely incredible — and your photos have me wanting them right now at 8:30 in the morning.
Girl Heart Food
Right?! Thanks Lisa…I think I could eat these for breakfast too 😉
Demeter
These quesadillas look fully loaded! Such a great dinner option!
Girl Heart Food
They sure are 🙂 Thanks Demeter!
shelby
I love making quesadillas for a quick and easy dinner too! I love the banana peppers in this recipe, I love that tang and can never get enough of them!
Girl Heart Food
Same here! We always have them on hand 🙂
Neli Howard
yessss! This is the perfect recipe for me. Love everything about this recipe! I want to eat it every day! I’m sure this is very tasty. Looks incredible! Thank you!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much Neli! It is quite taste and a favourite around here 🙂
Chris Collins
Okay these might just be the most beautiful quesadillas I’ve ever laid eyes on. Chicken and cheese is the BEST combo, I need these in my face.
Girl Heart Food
Well, so happy to hear that! Hahaha -you definitely do need these in your face! Thanks Chris!