Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla: Tonight's Ultimate Tex-Mex Comfort Masterpiece

The most irresistible smoky BBQ chicken quesadilla you'll ever make - tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy barbecue sauce with melted cheese and caramelized onions between crispy flour tortillas, topped with fresh cilantro and served with cool sour cream for the ultimate indulgent Tex-Mex dish that's so delicious it'll have everyone asking for seconds with every smoky bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Send Recipe Jump To Recipe
Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla: Tonight's Ultimate Tex-Mex Comfort Masterpiece - main view
Chef profile

JUE

Enjoy home-cooked meals made with love and shared from a family kitchen.

Expert Tips for Perfect Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Essential Ingredients Selection

Creating Your Masterpiece

Perfect Chicken Preparation:
Begin by properly seasoning shredded chicken to achieve tender texture that absorbs smoky BBQ flavors beautifully.
BBQ Sauce Mastery:
Create authentic barbecue sauce with proper smoke and sweetness balance for restaurant-quality results.
Vegetable Caramelization:
Master the art of caramelizing onions and peppers to perfect sweetness that enhances overall flavor profile.
Quesadilla Assembly Technique:
Achieve ideal cheese distribution and filling balance using proper layering for perfect quesadilla construction.
Professional Cooking Method:
Learn expert cooking and presentation techniques that create impressive restaurant-quality BBQ chicken quesadillas.
Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla: Tonight's Ultimate Tex-Mex Comfort Masterpiece - secondary view

The Art of Perfect Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla

Perfect Chicken Preparation
Begin by properly seasoning shredded chicken to achieve tender texture that absorbs smoky BBQ flavors beautifully.
BBQ Sauce Mastery
Create authentic barbecue sauce with proper smoke and sweetness balance for restaurant-quality results.
Vegetable Caramelization
Master the art of caramelizing onions and peppers to perfect sweetness that enhances overall flavor profile.
Quesadilla Assembly Technique
Achieve ideal cheese distribution and filling balance using proper layering for perfect quesadilla construction.
Professional Cooking Method
Learn expert cooking and presentation techniques that create impressive restaurant-quality BBQ chicken quesadillas.
Expert Tips for Perfect Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Chicken Preparation: Use rotisserie chicken or pre-cooked chicken for convenience, shredding while still warm for best texture.
Cheese Balance: Combine sharp cheddar with Monterey Jack for perfect melting properties and optimal flavor complexity.
Heat Control: Cook over medium heat to ensure tortillas crisp without burning before cheese fully melts inside.
Assembly Order: Layer ingredients evenly and don't overfill to prevent quesadillas from breaking during flipping.
Resting Time: Let cooked quesadillas rest briefly before cutting to allow cheese to set and prevent messy serving.
Make-Ahead Magic: BBQ chicken mixture can be prepared ahead and refrigerated - perfect for quick weeknight dinners.
Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla: Tonight's Ultimate Tex-Mex Comfort Masterpiece - tertiary view

Smoky BBQ Chicken Quesadilla: Tonight's Ultimate Tex-Mex Comfort Masterpiece

The most irresistible smoky BBQ chicken quesadilla you'll ever make - tender shredded chicken tossed in tangy barbecue sauce with melted cheese and caramelized onions between crispy flour tortillas, topped with fresh cilantro and served with cool sour cream for the ultimate indulgent Tex-Mex dish that's so delicious it'll have everyone asking for seconds with every smoky bite.

Italian Cream Stuffed Cannoncini
0% Complete

Ingredients

Custard Cream
01
For BBQ Chicken:
02
2 lbs cooked chicken breast, shredded
03
3/4 cup barbecue sauce, divided
04
1 tablespoon brown sugar
05
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07
1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
08
For Quesadilla Assembly:
09
8 large flour tortillas (10-inch)
10
3 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
11
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
12
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
13
1 red bell pepper, diced
14
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
15
2 tablespoons butter
16
For Homemade BBQ Sauce:
17
1/2 cup ketchup
18
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
19
3 tablespoons brown sugar
20
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
21
1 tablespoon molasses
22
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
23
For Toppings:
24
1/2 cup sour cream
25
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
26
2 green onions, sliced
27
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
28
Optional additions: guacamole
29
pico de gallo
30
hot sauce drizzle

Instructions

01
Preheat large skillet or griddle over medium heat and prepare all ingredients for easy assembly.
02
Mix shredded chicken with 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chipotle.
03
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in skillet and sauté sliced onions for 8-10 minutes until caramelized and golden.
04
Add diced bell pepper to onions and cook 3-4 minutes until slightly softened, then set aside.
05
Meanwhile, prepare homemade BBQ sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in small saucepan over low heat.
06
Simmer BBQ sauce for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened and well combined throughout.
07
Lay out tortillas and spread thin layer of remaining barbecue sauce on half of each tortilla.
08
Layer BBQ chicken mixture evenly over sauce, followed by caramelized onions and peppers.
09
Top with generous amounts of both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese for optimal melting.
10
Fold tortillas in half, pressing gently to seal edges and create compact half-moon shapes.
11
Heat butter and remaining oil in large skillet over medium heat until hot and sizzling.
12
Cook quesadillas 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted throughout.
13
Transfer to cutting board and let rest 2 minutes before cutting to prevent cheese from oozing out.
14
Cut each quesadilla into 3-4 wedges using sharp knife or pizza cutter for clean cuts.
15
Arrange wedges on serving platter and garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced green onions.
16
Serve immediately while hot with dollops of sour cream and sliced jalapeños on the side.
17
Drizzle with extra BBQ sauce and offer guacamole and pico de gallo for complete Tex-Mex experience.
18
Enjoy this smoky, cheesy masterpiece with your favorite cold beverage and plenty of napkins!