BBQ Ranch Chicken Quesadillas

$To make BBQ Ranch Chicken Quesadillas, gather these simple items: - 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded - 1 cup BBQ sauce (your choice of heat level) - 1/2 cup ranch dressing - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese - 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced - 1 bell pepper (red or green), thinly sliced - 8 flour tortillas - Olive oil, for grilling - Fresh cilantro, optional for garnish These ingredients create a tasty flavor mix. You can adjust the BBQ sauce to suit your taste. Use mild sauce for kids or spicy for adults. The ranch dressing adds a creamy touch. The blend of cheddar and mozzarella gives the quesadillas a cheesy goodness. You can add your favorite vegetables to make it even better! Enjoy the simple prep and delicious outcome. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, take a large bowl. Combine 2 cups of shredded chicken with 1 cup of BBQ sauce and 1/2 cup of ranch dressing. Mix well until the chicken is fully coated. This mixture adds a tangy and sweet flavor that pairs perfectly with the quesadillas. Now, let’s get cooking! Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drizzle a little olive oil into the skillet. Take one flour tortilla and lay it flat in the skillet. Sprinkle half of the tortilla with a mix of 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Next, add a generous scoop of the BBQ ranch chicken mixture on top of the cheese. Layer on some thinly sliced red onion and bell pepper. Top it all off with a little more cheese. Then, fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape. Cook the quesadilla for about 4-5 minutes until it’s golden and crispy. Carefully flip it and cook for another 4-5 minutes. You want both sides crispy and the cheese to be melted. Repeat this process for the remaining tortillas and filling. Once done, remove the quesadillas from the skillet. Let them cool for a moment before cutting them into wedges. Serve warm with extra ranch or BBQ sauce on the side. If you like, garnish with fresh cilantro for that extra touch of flavor! To make a great quesadilla, focus on two key steps: melting the cheese evenly and cooking at the right temperature. - Ensuring even cheese melt: Use a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese. These cheeses melt well together. Spread the cheese evenly on the tortilla. This helps it melt perfectly when you cook it. - Ideal cooking temperature for crispy tortillas: Preheat your skillet over medium heat. A non-stick skillet works best. If it’s too hot, you could burn the tortilla. If it’s not hot enough, the quesadilla may become soggy. A good rule is to cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden and crispy. Enhancing the flavor can take your quesadilla from good to great. Here are some fun ideas. - Adding spices or other ingredients: You can add spices like paprika or cumin for a kick. Sliced jalapeños can also add heat. If you like extra crunch, try adding corn or black beans to the chicken mixture. - Recommended dipping sauces: Serve your quesadillas with ranch or BBQ sauce for dipping. You can also try a spicy salsa or guacamole. These sauces add even more flavor and make each bite exciting. Pro Tips Use Leftover Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe, saving you time and effort. Customize Your Heat: Choose a BBQ sauce that matches your taste – mild for a family-friendly option or spicy for a kick! Perfectly Crispy Quesadillas: Don’t rush the cooking process; allow the tortillas to get golden brown for that ideal crunch. Serve with Dips: Enhance the flavor by serving these quesadillas with extra ranch or BBQ sauce for dipping. {{image_2}} You can easily make these quesadillas meat-free. Just swap the chicken for grilled vegetables or beans. Grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and mushrooms work great. You can also use black beans or pinto beans for extra protein. This twist still gives you that tasty BBQ ranch flavor. If you like heat, add jalapeños or hot sauce to your chicken mix. Slice fresh jalapeños and layer them inside the quesadilla. For an extra boost, drizzle some hot sauce over the filling. This adds a fun kick that spice lovers will enjoy. Feel free to mix up the cheese. Try pepper jack for a spicy twist or gouda for a smoky flavor. You can even blend in some feta for a tangy bite. Mixing cheeses adds depth and keeps each quesadilla unique and delicious. After you enjoy your BBQ Ranch Chicken Quesadillas, store leftovers in the fridge. Place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for about three days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Wrap each quesadilla in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. Just remember to label the bag with the date for easy tracking. To enjoy your quesadillas again, reheating is key. The best way to reheat them is in a skillet. Heat the skillet over medium heat. Place your quesadilla in the pan without oil. Cook for about three minutes on each side. This keeps the tortilla crispy and warms the filling evenly. You can also use an oven. Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and place the quesadilla on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes. This method works well for multiple quesadillas at once. Enjoy every bite just like the first time! Yes, you can prepare the filling in advance. Combine the shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing in a bowl. Store this mixture in the fridge for up to two days. When ready to cook, just assemble the quesadillas. You can also cook them in advance and reheat them later. If you do this, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in a skillet for best results. To keep your quesadillas crispy, follow these steps: - Use a non-stick skillet and preheat it before adding the tortillas. - Avoid overloading the filling; a little goes a long way. - Cook on medium heat, so the tortillas get crispy without burning. - Drain any excess liquid from the filling. This helps keep the quesadillas dry and crunchy. These quesadillas pair well with several side dishes: - Fresh salsa or pico de gallo adds a nice kick. - Guacamole gives a creamy texture to the meal. - A simple green salad adds freshness. - Chips and dip can make for a fun snack. Feel free to mix and match based on your taste! To sum up, making BBQ Ranch Chicken Quesadillas is simple and fun. You start with tasty ingredients like chicken, BBQ sauce, and plenty of cheese. Follow the steps to get that perfect crispy quesadilla. Use tips to enhance flavors and avoid sogginess. You can even customize your quesadillas to suit your taste. Now, you have all you need to create a delicious meal that everyone will love. Enjoy your cooking adventure!$

Delicious quesadillas filled with BBQ ranch chicken, cheese, and veggies.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
1 cup BBQ sauce
1 2 cups ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 bell pepper thinly sliced
8 pieces flour tortillas
to taste tablespoons olive oil, for grilling
to taste tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing. Mix until the chicken is well coated.
Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil.
Lay a tortilla flat in the skillet and sprinkle half of it with a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
Add a generous scoop of the BBQ ranch chicken mixture on top of the cheese.
Layer some sliced onions and bell peppers on top of the chicken.
Top with a bit more cheese, then fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape.
Cook for about 4-5 minutes on one side until golden and crispy, then carefully flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the other side is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Repeat the process for the remaining tortillas and filling.
Remove quesadillas from the skillet, let them cool for a moment, then cut them into wedges.
Serve warm with additional ranch or BBQ sauce on the side, and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Serve with extra ranch or BBQ sauce on the side.

Keyword BBQ, chicken, easy, quesadillas, ranch