Try out this 10 minute life-saver chicken quesadilla recipe for days when soccer practice and homework are kicking your butt. Enchilada soaked rotisserie chicken goes into a cheesy quesadilla, and then you dip. Mexican food heaven!

Enchilada Chicken Quesadillas

Originally published August 9, 2016

You should see me try to explain food blogging to my neighbors. Last year we bought a house in a court, which I didn’t realize would be so different from living on a street. But it so is. It’s kind of like living in a fishbowl all the time.

You know how you sneak out of your house in your pajamas sometimes to get the mail or whatever, and hope nobody notices? Well guess what, your court neighbor just casually looked out their window, not even trying to snoop, and saw you in your teddy bear pajamas and slippers.

Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

We have these neighbors directly across from us who basically live outside. It’s a group of roommates, but they are all retirement age, and they really, really love beer. Lest you think I’m complaining, let me clarify that they are totally my favorite neighbors. They are super friendly, take care of their house, and wave and chat you up when you walk by. They have more furniture in their yard and driveway than I have in my entire house. Did I mention that their house is bright purple with royal blue trim? IT’S. AWESOME.

Cheese Quesadilla with Chicken

They are probably writing about me on their blogs, because to them I am the crazy pregnant lady who is outside on her porch every morning by 9:30 (in her pajamas; no shame) taking pictures of food. Lounging on a couch in the driveway of your flamboyantly painted house…or meticulously photographing Arugula Pesto Salmon in the early morning? You tell me which one of us is “the weird neighbor.”

You should have seen Tyrone’s face last week when he yelled across the street to ask what I was photographing and I yelled back, “Enchilada chicken quesadillas!” I’ve never seen a man look so confused in my life. Clearly he is unfamiliar with Pinterest food mashups. He didn’t complain when I offered him one though. In fact I believe his exact words were something like, call this whatever you want, it’s amazing.

Quesadilla with cheese and chicken

Or this morning, when I was shooting a recipe and Tyrone and Doug yelled good morning and I yelled good morning, do you want some homemade Chex Mix?* And Tyrone’s like, alright, and as they mosey over Doug’s like, what’d she say? And Tyrone’s like, I dunno.

I guess that means they trust my food by now, even if they still have no idea why I’m taking pictures of it on my porch. Food bloggers are definitely the “weird neighbors.”

*It’s not actually homemade chex mix. It’s a caramel-y Christmas treat that involves Chex, and it’s amazing. And yes I’m shooting Christmas recipes in August. I’m having a baby in November, okay?? Don’t judge me :)

How to make Chicken Quesadillas with Enchilada flavor

How to make chicken quesadillas with enchilada sauce

How to make quesadillas

Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

But back to the chicken quesadillas. Let me break this down for you: Open a can of your favorite enchilada sauce. Pour half over some rotisserie chicken. Make cheese quesadillas with the chicken in the middle. Dip the quesadillas in the remaining sauce. Easy, right? Sooooo good. Just ask Tyrone.

This recipe idea is from my sister Laura, who made a much more complicated version a while back, involving ground beef and sweet potatoes and zucchini. Hers sounds a lot healthier…but definitely not 10 minutes. Sometimes you just gotta git er done.

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10 Minute Enchilada Quesadillas

5 from 3 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 13 minutes
Servings: 4
Try this 10 minute chicken quesadilla recipe for days when you have no time. Enchilada soaked rotisserie chicken goes into a cheese quesadilla.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken
  • 10 ounce or larger can enchilada sauce
  • 8 tortillas
  • 3-4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • butter for frying, optional
  • chopped cilantro, optional
  • sliced avocado, to garnish

Instructions

  • Add the chicken to a bowl. Open the can of enchilada sauce and pour some over the chicken. I used not quite half the can. (Keep in mind you need the rest for dipping, so don't go crazy.) Stir the chicken to coat.
  • Let the mixture sit for a few minutes so that the sauce has a chance to get friendly with the chicken.
  • Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add 1 teaspoon butter to the pan. Or don't. It's delicious to use butter, but you will still get a nice crispy quesadilla on a dry pan.
  • Place one tortilla on the hot pan and immediately sprinkle with cheese. Anywhere between 1/4 and 1/2 cup is fine.
  • Use a spoon to add some of the chicken on top of the cheese. Spread evenly. Sprinkle on some chopped cilantro if you want.
  • Sprinkle with more cheese, 1/4 to 1/2 cup, depending on how much of a cheese fanatic you are.
  • Top with another tortilla.
  • Continue cooking over medium heat until the bottom is light brown and crispy. Use a spatula to flip the quesadilla, and repeat on the other side.
  • Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  • Serve with the remaining enchilada sauce for dipping. You can heat it up in the microwave if you want, or serve room temperature.
  • Serve with chopped cilantro and sliced avocado.

Nutrition

Serving: 1quesadilla | Calories: 861kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 61g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 198mg | Sodium: 2179mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1322IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 711mg | Iron: 4mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 861
Keyword: 10 Minute Recipe, enchilada, quesadillas
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

More Mexican!

Easy Rotisserie Chicken Nachos << so quick! So good!

Easy Rotisserie Chicken Nachos from The Food Charlatan

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili << this is a good pantry dinner–keep the stuff on hand and make when you haven’t been to the store in way too long.

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili (Crockpot) from TheFoodCharlatan.com

Traditional Tejano Pinto Bean (Slow Cooker)  << ok so these are not quick but they are SO worth the time. I make a huge batch and save it in the freezer so that I can pull it out whenever I want. Like on Enchilada Quesadilla nights :)

Traditional Tejano Beans from The Food Charlatan

Other Mexican inspired easy dinners you will love!

Tex-Mex Enchilada Dip from House of Yumm
Avocado Chicken Quesadilla from Will Cook for Smiles
Chicken Fajita Quesadillas from The Chunky Chef

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I just made these!  My changes were only made because of what I had on hand.  I used the Medeteranian chicken skewers from Costco.  Pulled them off the skewers, and tore them up.  I only had a pouch of green enchilada sauce, so I used that!  

    Served with the extra green sauce, sour cream, and whatever salsa was left over in the jar in the fridge…. YUMMMMMY!

    1. Great hacks Maggie! So glad you loved these. Everyone needs a good “throw it together” dinner every now and then, right? Thanks for coming back to comment!

  2. Okay I wish I could eat this right now! This looks so amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. I want to add jalapenos to it to make it spicy!

  3. Hahahaha I was totally going to ask you about those neighbors! They were outside when we left and watched me run back to your house to use the restroom while Lucas sung to the baby in the car. I’m sure it felt like TV. We definitely are the weird neighbors;)

  4. You seriously have the funniest neighbors – unlike mine. The neighbors on either side of our house have been in a feud for years it seems and refuse to look or talk to each other! LOL! Seriously, this looks like a great lunch or quick dinner. Love how simple it is!

    1. What no way a real neighbor feud!! That’s awful! And kind of sounds like it’s out of a movie. haha! Thanks Chels!

  5. haha oh my gosh that is too funny! I have a few neighbors who after three years of living here still don’t seem to understand what I do! I constantly get “oh so are you taking pictures of food again today??” lol they crack me up. And these quesadillas sound amazing!!

  6. Love quick recipe ideas that my kids will actually eat and enjoy. Fall madness is right around the corner so I’m saving this one!

  7. Hi Karen, I will be making these. I just got finished making chicken enchiladas, beef enchiladas, Spanish rice, and refried beans for dinner. Lots of work but so worth it. Keep up the wonderful job you do! Thank you!

  8. Enchiladas are my favorite Mexican dish, and quesadillas are right up there with ’em. Love how you combined these two classics here!

  9. Your neighbors sound so fun! It seems like it’s always an interesting day. That’s the way I like it.
    These quesadillas are just what I need. They look fast and delicious, and nothing makes me quite so happy as melty, melty cheese!

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