How to make restaurant style chicken quesadillas

Better than takeout!

These easy homemade chicken quesadillas take a classic Mexican restaurant favorite and give it a flavorful, homemade touch. If you love quesadillas but want to make them right in your own kitchen, this recipe is for you. These quesadillas are packed with seasoned chicken thighs, layered with plenty of melted cheese, and tucked inside a golden, crispy tortilla. The result is a homemade chicken quesadilla that is packed with flavor and perfect for lunch, dinner, game day, or a quick weeknight meal.

What makes these chicken quesadillas special is the seasoning. Instead of relying on plain chicken, the thighs are seasoned with BBQ seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and green seasoning. The combination gives the chicken a savory, smoky, slightly spicy flavor that pairs beautifully with melted cheese and crispy tortillas. You can cook the chicken in an air fryer or on the stovetop, making this an incredibly flexible chicken quesadilla recipe.

These homemade chicken quesadillas are also easy to customize. Serve them with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, hot sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce. You can also add your favorite vegetables or extra cheese to make them your own.

If you have been searching for an easy chicken quesadilla recipe, this recipe is worth trying. With simple ingredients, bold seasoning, juicy chicken, melted cheese, and crispy tortillas, these chicken quesadillas are an easy homemade meal the whole family can enjoy.

Grocery list for the chicken quesadillas

1 pack boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 teaspoons BBQ seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon green seasoning (Get the recipe here: https://cookingwithpatlee.com/?s=green+seasoning)
Flour tortillas Shredded or sliced cheese of your choice
Oil, for pan frying
Butter, for pan frying

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 25 mins

Total Time 35 mins

Difficulty: Beginner

Servings: 4

Best Season: Suitable throughout the year

Description

These easy homemade chicken quesadillas combine juicy seasoned chicken, melted cheese and crispy tortillas for a flavorful twist on a Mexican restaurant favorite.

Ingredients

1 pack boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 teaspoons BBQ seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon green seasoning
Flour tortillas
Shredded or sliced cheese of your choice
Oil, for pan frying
Butter, for pan frying

Instructions

1
Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a bowl. Add the BBQ seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper, and green seasoning.
2
Mix the chicken thoroughly until all of the seasoning is evenly distributed and the chicken is well coated.
3
For the air fryer, cook the chicken at 350°F for approximately 23 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You can also cook the chicken on the stovetop for approximately 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
4
Remove the cooked chicken from the heat and allow it to rest. This helps retain the juices and keeps the chicken flavorful and tender.
5
Once the chicken has rested, chop it into small, bite-sized pieces and set aside.
6
Place a tortilla on a flat surface. Add a layer of cheese, followed by the chopped chicken, then another layer of cheese. Fold the tortilla over to create the quesadilla and gently crimp the edges together.
7
Add a small amount of butter and oil to a skillet over medium heat. Allow the pan to get hot before adding the quesadilla.
8
Place the quesadilla into the pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and crispy. Use a spatula to gently crimp the edges as it cooks.
9
Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side for approximately 2 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
10
Remove the quesadilla from the pan, slice if desired, and serve immediately with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, or your favorite dipping sauce.

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