Best Chicken Quesadillas

Name: Best Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breast ((diced small)); 2 Tablespoons olive oil; 1 Tablespoon minced garlic; 1 cup onion ((finely diced)); 1 medium green pepper ((finely diced)); ½ cup corn; 1 ½ Tablespoons taco seasoning; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt* ((or to taste)); ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 15 ounces mandarin oranges ((drained, reserve the juice)); 1-2 Tablespoons mandarin orange juice; 8 Tortillas; 2 cups cheddar cheese

By Laura

Posted Aug 25, 2016, Updated Jul 14, 2024

4.98 from 46 votes

31 Comments

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This is the best chicken quesadilla recipe ever. Made with chicken, vegetables, cheese and a secret ingredient – chicken quesadillas are a delicious, healthy, quick & easy dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes!

front view of a stack of 7 pieces of chicken quesadilla

This chicken quesadilla recipe is one of my family’s most-loved meals. The secret ingredient in this recipe might sound a little strange, but trust me it makes them delicious!

Made with chicken, peppers and more, these chicken quesadillas are a scrumptious, healthy, quick & easy dinner recipe that is ready in under 30 minutes!

overhead view of 7 triangular pieces of chicken quesadilla in a line on a serving plate.

Chicken Quesadilla Recipe: Ingredient Substitutions

overhead view of the labeled ingredients in this chicken quesadilla recipe

Chicken breasts. This is a great recipe to use up leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken (and one of our go-to’s for such a situation). Ground chicken or turkey can also be used in place of diced chicken.
Olive oil. avocado oil is the best substitute.
Onion. Use your favorite variety, white, yellow or red.
Minced garlic. you can substitute 1 teaspoon garlic powder for 1 Tablespoon minced garlic.
Bell pepper. any color works well. Or you can substitute shredded zucchini for a less conspicuous vegetable option.
Cheddar cheese. Any kind of cheddar, a Mexican cheese blend, pepper Jack, etc. all work great.
Tortillas. Choose your favorites, we prefer flour.
Taco seasoning. Use homemade taco seasoning or store bought.
Mandarin oranges. this is the secret ingredient that makes these incredible. You could also use pineapple.

front view of a stack of 8 pieces of chicken quesadilla

How to Make Chicken quesadillas

To make this recipe, start with the filling. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium/high heat for about 1 minute, then add the chicken and cook until one side begins to turn slightly brown (about 4-5 minutes).

Next, add minced garlic, onion green pepper and corn. Cook until peppers become slightly soft and chicken is cooked through.

two overhead photos showing How to Make Chicken Quesadillas - making the filling

Once the chicken is cooked, add the taco seasoning and salt and pepper and cook until the chicken and veggies are slightly browned.

Then, add some of the reserved mandarin orange juice and cook until all the liquid is absorbed. This step imparts a delicious sweet and spicy flavor to the filling.

two overhead photos showing How to Make Chicken Quesadilla filling

Remove the pan from heat and gently mix in the mandarin oranges, slightly breaking them up as you stir. Do this gently.

Note: At this point if you are serving people with dietary restrictions you can serve this filling over a salad if they’d prefer not to eat the cheese/tortilla. It tastes delicious that way!

up close overhead photo of the chicken quesadilla filling

Cook the Chicken Quesadillas

Once the filling is finished it’s time to assemble and cook the chicken quesadillas. Either preheat an electric griddle to 325 degrees F, or preheat a skillet over medium low heat.

Place a tortilla on the griddle and sprinkle about ¼ cup cheddar cheese evenly on the tortilla. Then, add about ¼ to ½ cup of chicken mixture (depending on the size of your tortilla) and sprinkle with another ¼cup cheese. The double layer of cheese is very important so don’t miss this!

two photos showing How to Make Chicken Quesadillas - adding two layers of cheese & filling

Top it off with the second tortilla. Cook until the bottom tortilla is browned, then flip and cook until the second side is brown and cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas and cheese until you have used all the filling!

two photos showing How to Make Chicken Quesadillas - cooking the quesadillas on a griddle.

Serve

Cut and serve these chicken quesadillas as soon as they come off the griddle. Top with your favorite homemade salsa or homemade guacamole, sour cream, etc. Serve them with your favorite Mexican Recipes like Mexican rice or corn salad!

Store/Freeze

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave, oven, or on the stovetop.

overhead photo of two chicken quesadillas, each cut into four triangular pieces.

Chicken Quesadillas Recipe FAQs

How do you keep quesadillas crispy?

To really crisp up the outside you could fry the quesadillas in a very small amount of olive oil.

Can I use leftover chicken in this recipe?

Yes! Feel free to use leftover rotisserie chicken or leftovers to make this.

Why keep the mandarin orange juice?

You will cook the juices until it is absorbed in the meat to create a sweet flavor.

What goes inside a quesadilla?

I bet mandarin oranges never even crossed your mind! Well, get ready to have your mind blown and your life changed forever when you add mandarin oranges to the filling! You can also add beans, veggies, etc.

What cheese makes the best quesadilla?

I love a really sharp cheddar, a Mexican blend is also delicious.

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