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    Home » Chicken & Poultry

    Chicken Fajita Quesadilla

    Published: Apr 22, 2016 / Updated: Sep 5, 2018 / 14 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This chicken fajita quesadilla recipe makes a quick and simple meal that takes minimal effort and is especially easy if you use leftover or rotisserie chicken!

    close-up of cheesy chicken fajita quesadilla on a plate with bowls of guacamole and sour cream

    Your favorite fajita fixings are sandwiched in a warm, cheesy pocket of deliciousness. The perfect weeknight meal. This easy chicken quesadilla recipe only takes about 20 minutes to make.

    I love leftover chicken recipes. As there's only two people in our house, we always end up with leftover chicken if we roast one or buy a rotisserie chicken. I usually end up putting the leftover chicken into a pita with some dressing and salad greens, but that gets boring!

    How to make chicken fajita quesadillas with chicken breasts

    If you don't have any leftover chicken, this recipe can easily be made with fresh chicken breasts as well. I would suggest cooking the chicken first (cut chicken breasts lengthwise to get two thinner cutlets and then sear for a couple minutes on both sides in a hot skillet with about 1 tablespoon of oil). You'd then remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest while you cook the veggies.

    You'd then slice the chicken and put it back into the pan with the veggies and fajita spices and lime and ensure it's well mixed before you add it to the tortillas. I would say that one chicken breast is plenty for two quesadillas (since you'll have the two thinner cutlets).

    stacked chicken fajita quesadillas on a plate

    Chicken fajita quesadilla recipe tips

    I used a smoked cheddar in the quesadilla in the photos. You could use any variety you want, or even mozzarella if you prefer. It's all good.

    Depending on your taste for spice, you can always adjust the chipotle chili pepper to your liking as well.

    What to serve with chicken quesadillas

    I served these with plenty of fresh guacamole and sour cream. An extra squeeze of lime juice is always good as well! 🙂

    plate with chicken fajita quesadilla and bowls of guacamole and sour cream with lime wedges

    Will you give these chicken fajita quesadillas a try?

    Let me know in the comments!

    This chicken fajita quesadilla is a quick and easy meal that takes minimal effort and is especially easy if you use leftover or rotisserie chicken! Your favorite fajita fixings are sandwiched in a warm, cheesy pocket of deliciousness.

    Chicken Fajita Quesadilla

    This chicken fajita quesadilla recipe makes a quick and simple meal that takes minimal effort and is especially easy if you use leftover or rotisserie chicken!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Tex-Mex
    Servings 1 quesadilla
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 1/2 bell pepper (I used red)
    • 1/2 medium onion
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil + 1 teaspoon for cooking quesadilla
    • 1/2 cup leftover chicken (shredded)
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
    • 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili pepper
    • Salt & pepper to taste
    • Juice of 1/2 lime
    • 2 large flour tortillas
    • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese grated

    Serve with (optional):

    • Sour cream
    • Guacamole

    Instructions
     

    • Slice pepper and onion into strips (cut onion lengthwise). Chop cilantro and set aside. Prepare guacamole and sour cream, if needed.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet (I prefer cast iron for this recipe) on medium-high heat.
    • Add the pepper and onion to the pan and cook for a few minutes, stirring often, until they're tender-crisp.
    • Add in the chicken, spices, salt & pepper, and lime juice. Stir and set aside (off the heat).
    • In another skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, place one tortilla inside. Sprinkle it with half the cheese, the fajita mixture from the other skillet, chopped cilantro, and then the rest of the cheese. Place the second tortilla on top and push it down carefully.
    • Flip the quesadilla using a spatula once the bottom tortilla begins to brown (about 2-3 minutes). Cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes or until cooked to your liking. Both sides should be browned and the cheese should be melted.
    • Place quesadilla on a plate and cut into quarters. Serve immediately with sour cream and guacamole.

    Notes

    • If you're not using leftover/rotisserie chicken, see the tips in the blog post on how to make this recipe with chicken breasts.
    Keyword chicken fajita quesadillas
    Author Natasha Bull

    You may also like my chicken fajita zoodle bowls or my chicken tortilla soup recipe.

    « Roasted Red Pepper and Sriracha Hummus
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    1. Patrick @ Mexican Please says

      May 3, 2016 at 10:04 PM

      Yowsa this looks so tasty, thanks for posting it 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 3, 2016 at 10:26 PM

        You're welcome! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Christy @ Feasting Not Fasting says

      April 23, 2016 at 10:14 AM

      These photos are mouthwateringly gorgeous! Quesadillas never looked so good. 🙂

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 23, 2016 at 10:36 AM

        Thanks so much, Christy!

        Reply
    3. Kerisha Deans says

      April 22, 2016 at 6:00 PM

      I can't wait to test this out!!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 22, 2016 at 6:14 PM

        Thanks! Hope you like it 🙂

        Reply
    4. Mary Dokken says

      April 22, 2016 at 5:01 PM

      You are mixing two of my favorite Mexican dishes and I love it!! Sounds fast to make and EASY!!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 22, 2016 at 5:10 PM

        Thank you, Mary!! Hope you enjoy it 🙂

        Reply
    5. Chaza says

      April 22, 2016 at 10:42 AM

      Quesadilla is one of my favorites. I love easy recipes like this. Thank you for sharing.

      http://www.hugshomemade.com

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 22, 2016 at 11:36 AM

        You are welcome!

        Reply
    6. Jessica @ Citrus Blossom Bliss says

      April 22, 2016 at 10:39 AM

      Quesadillas are one of my favorite foods - not much beats melted cheese and deliciously seasoned chicken. This recipe looks so amazing with the addition of onions and peppers. Love it!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 22, 2016 at 11:36 AM

        Thanks Jessica!!

        Reply
    7. Kate says

      April 22, 2016 at 8:42 AM

      This looks so good! I definitely will try out this recipe once I'm back from my vacation. :))

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        April 22, 2016 at 8:59 AM

        Thanks Kate!! Hope your trip is fun!

        Reply

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