Have some leftover pulled chicken or shredded rotisserie chicken? Wondering what to do with it? Look no further! These BBQ chicken quesadillas are the answer. They take your leftover chicken and combine it with sautéed red onion, fresh parsley, and melty cheese, all inside crispy golden brown tortillas. It’s a simple and delicious way to elevate your leftovers.
Key Takeaways
Making BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Let’s dive into what you’ll need for these mouthwatering quesadillas:
- 6″ flour tortillas
- Shredded cheese (soft melting cheese like havarti or Monterey jack)
- Leftover pulled BBQ chicken or rotisserie chicken mixed with BBQ sauce
- Olive oil (optional)
- Diced red onion (optional)
- Chopped parsley (optional)
If you’re using rotisserie chicken, approximately 10 oz of chicken and 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce should do the trick. Adjust the sauce to your liking, but be careful not to make it too runny. You can use the skillet to thicken things up after adding the chicken.
For the cheese, try using havarti for a mild spice, or go for Monterey jack or mozzarella. The key is to buy blocks of cheese and shred them yourself for the best results.
Feel free to skip the optional ingredients if you prefer a simpler quesadilla.
Sautéing the Red Onion
To add some extra flavor, sauté some diced red onion in olive oil for about 5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
If you have the time, consider caramelizing the onions for an even richer taste.
Adding the Chicken and Parsley
Next, add your leftover BBQ chicken and chopped parsley to the sautéed onion, mixing everything together.
If you’re using rotisserie chicken, you can add the BBQ sauce to the onion and reduce it before adding the chicken and parsley. Make sure not to overheat the chicken, as it may become tough.
You can also experiment with other leftovers, like pulled pork or chopped pork tenderloin, for a variety of flavors.
Assembling and Cooking the Quesadillas
Place two flour tortillas in a skillet and top each with 1 oz of shredded cheese. Add 1/4 of the chicken mixture to one side of each tortilla.
For extra golden brown quesadillas, use some leftover sauce from the skillet. It adds color and flavor. If you’re skipping the veggies or reheating your BBQ chicken without the skillet, brush a little oil or use some juices from the chicken to coat the tortillas.
Fold the other half of the tortilla over to seal the quesadilla. Cook until each side is golden brown.
Press the quesadillas slightly to release some juices and enhance the browning. Move them around to coat the sides with the delicious flavors. Adjust the heat of your pan accordingly to achieve perfectly melty quesadillas.
Serving Your BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Your BBQ chicken quesadillas are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or on their own.
Whether you prefer spicy Sriracha and Roasted Garlic BBQ Sauce or something unique like Bachan’s Japanese barbecue sauce, these quesadillas will taste fantastic. And if you have any creative twists on this recipe, we’d love to hear about them in the comments. Enjoy!
