Is your weeknight dinner routine in a total rut, and are you craving something with a serious kick? Forget bland, because these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas are about to become your new obsession, delivering a fiery, cheesy, and ridiculously easy meal that’s ready in minutes. Prepare yourself for a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more – I promise, you can absolutely nail this recipe!
Ingredients
For the Buffalo Chicken Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
For the Quesadillas:
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, chopped green onions, avocado
Let’s Talk About That Chicken (and Rotisserie Chicken Recipes Leftover!)
Okay, before we dive into the step-by-step, let’s chat chicken. The absolute *easiest* route here is using a rotisserie chicken. Seriously, grab one from the store, shred it up, and you’re golden. It’s a fantastic way to get Buffalo Chicken Mac on the table fast. Plus, it’s a great way to use Rotisserie Chicken Recipes Leftover that you might have from another meal. If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, you can also cook chicken breasts in a skillet, bake them, or even use canned chicken in a pinch (just drain it well!).
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Prepare the Buffalo Chicken Filling:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, melted butter, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you like it extra spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper!
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Assemble the Quesadillas:
- Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface.
- Sprinkle about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese evenly over half of the tortilla.
- Spoon about 1/2 cup of the buffalo chicken filling over the cheese.
- Top with another 1/3 cup of shredded cheese.
- Fold the tortilla in half, covering the filling.
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Cook the Quesadillas:
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. You can lightly grease it with cooking spray or a bit of butter if you like.
- Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Carefully remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it cool for a minute or two before slicing into wedges.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas immediately with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, chopped green onions, or avocado.
Spice It Up (or Down!) Your Way
The beauty of these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas is how customizable they are! If you’re not a huge fan of spice, start with a milder buffalo sauce or use less of it. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the filling to cool it down a bit. On the other hand, if you’re a spice fiend, go wild! Add some extra cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or even some chopped jalapeños to the filling. Remember, this is *your* quesadilla, so make it exactly how you like it. Finding the right level of spice can make or break one of these Dinner Ideas.
Cheese, Please! Choosing the Right Cheese
Cheddar cheese is a classic choice for quesadillas, and it works perfectly in these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas. But don’t be afraid to experiment! Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even a blend of cheddar and mozzarella would all be delicious. If you’re feeling fancy, you could even add a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles for an extra layer of flavor. Just make sure the cheese is shredded so it melts evenly. This is an Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla Easy recipe, so keep it simple and use what you have on hand!
Sides That Sizzle
While these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas are fantastic on their own, they’re even better when served with a tasty side dish. A simple salad with a light vinaigrette is a great way to balance out the richness of the quesadillas. You could also serve them with some crispy coleslaw, creamy avocado dip, or even just a side of tortilla chips and salsa. I personally love pairing them with some carrot and celery sticks with blue cheese dressing – it’s a classic buffalo wing combo that works perfectly here!
Make-Ahead Magic
Want to get ahead of the game? You can easily prepare the buffalo chicken filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to make the quesadillas, simply reheat the filling and assemble as directed. You can also assemble the quesadillas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking. Just be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic wrap to prevent them from drying out.
Variations for Days!
Once you’ve mastered the basic Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla, the possibilities are endless! Try adding some black beans, corn, or diced tomatoes to the filling for extra flavor and texture. You could also swap out the ranch dressing for blue cheese dressing or even a creamy cilantro-lime dressing. For a vegetarian version, simply replace the chicken with some crumbled tofu or black beans. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, try grilling the quesadillas instead of cooking them in a skillet – it’ll give them a delicious smoky flavor! You can even try making a Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak next!
Recipes Chicken: Beyond Quesadillas
If you’re loving this Buffalo Chicken flavor profile, don’t stop here! There are so many other ways to enjoy it. Think about adding buffalo chicken to pasta dishes, salads, or even pizza. You could also make buffalo chicken sliders, buffalo chicken stuffed peppers, or even buffalo chicken nachos. The possibilities are truly endless!
Dinner Ideas: Quick and Easy Wins
Let’s be real, weeknight dinners can be a struggle. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for quick and easy recipes that the whole family will love. And these Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas definitely fit the bill. They’re ready in under 30 minutes, they’re packed with flavor, and they’re guaranteed to be a hit with even the pickiest eaters. Plus, they’re a great way to use up leftover chicken!
So there you have it: your ultimate guide to making incredible Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. Get creative, have fun, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and toppings. Happy cooking!
What is the easiest way to get the shredded chicken for this recipe?
The easiest way is to use a rotisserie chicken from the store. Simply shred it up and you’re ready to go!
Can I adjust the spice level of the Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas?
Yes! You can use a milder buffalo sauce or less of it for less spice, or add cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or chopped jalapeños for more spice.
What kind of cheese is recommended for these quesadillas?
Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can also use Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella. You could even add blue cheese crumbles.
Can I prepare the buffalo chicken filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the buffalo chicken filling in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat before assembling the quesadillas.
Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Ultimate Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Griddle
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Measuring cups
- Spatula
- Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- ½ cup buffalo wing sauce
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, melted butter, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is evenly distributed. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface.
- Sprinkle about 1/3 cup of shredded cheese evenly over half of the tortilla.
- Spoon about 1/2 cup of the buffalo chicken filling over the cheese.
- Top with another 1/3 cup of shredded cheese.
- Fold the tortilla in half, covering the filling.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey.
- Carefully remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it cool for a minute or two before slicing into wedges.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Serve the Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas immediately with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, chopped green onions, or avocado.