Some nights, cooking feels totally impossible. Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas (pre-cooked filling) are usually my saving grace. Stuff’s always flying in the door at dinnertime, and the “what’s for dinner” debate never ends (does your family do this too? It’s an Olympic sport here). Anyway, these easy quesadillas use leftovers, picky-kid-approved veggies, and get crispy in, what, 10 minutes tops? Everybody’s happy. If you like meals that come together quick, check out these awesome Bang Bang Chicken Burgers or a tangy BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad—also big wins around my house.
Key Ingredients
Listen, I’ll be honest: my fridge is a mishmash half the time, so I reach for ingredients I have hanging around. Classic! Here’s what you really need for mouthwatering chicken and veggie quesadillas:
You’ll want pre-cooked chicken (leftover rotisserie? Yep. Grilled breast? Works). Bell peppers, onions, and even chopped spinach happen to mix in well, but honestly, any semi-tender veggie does the trick. Shred a big handful of cheddar and monterey jack (makes them melt extra gooey).
Flour tortillas hold everything together. I’ve tried whole wheat, and, eh, not my favorite, but do you. Don’t forget a scoop of salsa or some taco sauce for an extra kick. Sometimes I throw in black beans for bulk. Cheese is non-negotiable, though—you want that oozy goodness stretching as you pull one apart.
How to Make the Best Veggie Quesadillas
Honestly, if you can fold laundry, you can build chicken and veggie quesadillas. Here’s my no-fuss method:
First, chop any cooked chicken you have into bite-size bits. Same with veggies—make sure they’re small so they heat up fast and no one gets a mouthful of just bell pepper (looking at you, my youngest kid). In a large skillet, toss veggies with the chicken and a sprinkle of taco seasoning, just until warm.
Next, set a tortilla in another skillet over medium heat, sprinkle cheese all over, then pile that filling on one half. More cheese on top. Fold the tortilla up and let the bottom crisp for a minute or two. Gently flip with whatever spatula isn’t missing from your drawer (grrr, always one gone), crisp the other side. Cut into wedges, plate, and dive in before someone else grabs the crispy corner.
A neighbor of mine swears by a sprinkle of corn in hers. Someone else puts a garlic powder pinch in the chicken. I say, experiment every time—I doubt you’ll make a bad batch.
“We tried your chicken and veggie quesadillas last week—my five-year-old said they were better than pizza, and I nearly fainted! So darn easy, thanks for the tip with the pre-cooked chicken.” – Jen from Nebraska
What to Serve with Quesadillas
Trying to round out your meal? Here’s what screams “perfect quesadilla night” to me:
- A scoop of guac, chunky or smooth, doesn’t matter (ten out of ten recommend).
- Side of salsa, whatever’s in the fridge—pico, green, store brand, you do you.
- Roasted corn or a simple salad—way less effort than it sounds.
- Squeeze of lime on top right before eating; it’s a GAME CHANGER.
Honestly, when I’m feeling ambitious, I tuck in some flavorful chicken vegetable skewers with lemon herb marinade as a “side.” Let’s be real, it never lasts long.
Tips for the Perfect Quesadillas
Don’t stress out—making chicken and veggie quesadillas isn’t a “chef” thing, it’s a “let’s eat now” thing. Still, a couple tricks help. First, use medium heat and don’t rush. Too hot? Tortillas burn before the cheese gets melty. If the cheese isn’t bubbled, keep going. And pack the filling light, not overstuffed—otherwise it’ll spill everywhere (done it, regretted it).
Double up on cheese: put a thin layer under and over the veggies. This makes it all glue together and gives that five-star restaurant stretch. Hungry for more easy meals? These effortless dinner sheet pan sausage and summer vegetables are a lazy cook’s dream.
When flipping, use a wide spatula and a quick hand. If disaster strikes and things escape, just stuff them back in. No one will actually care. Perfection’s overrated when dinner’s ready fast.
Storage Instructions
Leftovers? I mean, rare, but sometimes it happens (late-night snacker in the house). Slide any leftover chicken and veggie quesadillas into a storage container, once cool, and keep in the fridge. Keeps crisp-ish for two days, sometimes three.
Reheat on a low skillet with a little butter for crunch, or pop in the oven for ten-ish minutes at 350F. Don’t even bother microwaving unless you want a floppy tortilla (no judgment, but it’s way less dreamy). Avoid freezing—texture goes weird. Better just eat another one tonight.
Common Questions
Can I use canned chicken or rotisserie in my quesadillas?
Absolutely, just shred it up—saves so much time.
What other veggies taste good in these?
Pretty much any! Try mushrooms, corn, zucchini, or a handful of leftover roasted veg. Sneaky spinach works too.
Can I make chicken and veggie quesadillas dairy free?
Yeah, just grab your favorite dairy-free shreds. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s still tasty and, let’s be honest, nobody’s going hungry.
Do I have to cook the veggies beforehand?
If they’re raw, give them a quick sauté so they aren’t crunchy inside. Pre-cooked works fine straight out of the fridge.
How do I keep my quesadillas from falling apart when flipping?
Don’t overfill, and use enough cheese to glue the whole thing together. Flip gently (no wild wrist action).
Ready for Your Own Quesadilla Night?
To sum it up—chicken and veggie quesadillas (pre-cooked filling) will save your sanity and impress the pickiest eaters, scouts honor. Toss in whatever veggies are around plus cheese and dinner’s sorted. If you liked this, maybe peek at The Best Vegetable Quesadillas for more filling ideas, or see what Inspired Taste has to say for even more tricks. Don’t hesitate to get creative with leftovers or try out some of my other favorites like these flavorful chicken vegetable skewers with lemon herb marinade. You’ll wonder why you ever stressed about dinner.
Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas
Quick and easy chicken and veggie quesadillas using pre-cooked filling and leftover ingredients, perfect for busy nights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Omnivore
Ingredients
- 2 cups pre-cooked chicken, chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1 cup onions, diced
- 1 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup salsa or taco sauce
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
- Taco seasoning to taste
Instructions
- Chop the pre-cooked chicken and veggies into bite-size pieces.
- In a large skillet, toss chicken, veggies, and taco seasoning over medium heat until warm.
- Set a tortilla in another skillet over medium heat and sprinkle cheese on one half.
- Pile the filling on top of the cheese, then add more cheese over the filling.
- Fold the tortilla and let the bottom crisp for 1-2 minutes.
- Carefully flip the quesadilla and crisp the other side.
- Cut into wedges and serve immediately.
Notes
Experiment with different veggies and seasonings to customize your quesadillas. Serve with guacamole and salsa.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: quesadillas, chicken, veggies, easy dinner, quick recipe