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shredded chicken quesadilla on a plate stacked up 3 slices tall

Shredded Chicken Quesadilla with Canned Chicken


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  • Total Time: 13 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

This shredded chicken quesadilla with canned chicken is crispy, cheesy, and made with simple pantry staples. Canned chicken, salsa, and shredded cheese are tucked inside tortillas and cooked until golden for an easy lunch, dinner, snack, or game day appetizer.

 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 12.5-ounce can chicken, drained
  • 1/3 cup salsa
  • 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
  • 4 medium flour tortillas
  • 1 tablespoon butter or oil, for cooking
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Optional: chopped green onions, cilantro, jalapeños, black beans, or corn

Instructions

  1. Drain the canned chicken well. If desired, rinse it and pat it dry to remove more of the canned flavor.
  2. Add the chicken, salsa, shredded cheese, and any optional seasonings or add-ins to a bowl.
  3. Mix until the filling is combined.
  4. Spread the chicken mixture over half of each tortilla.
  5. Fold each tortilla over the filling.
  6. Heat butter or oil in a skillet over medium-low heat.
  7. Add the quesadilla to the skillet and cook for 2–4 minutes per side, or until golden and crispy and the cheese is melted.
  8. Let the quesadilla rest for 1 minute before slicing.
  9. Serve warm with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or queso.

Notes

For less canned flavor, rinse and drain the chicken before using.

Do not overfill the tortillas or they will be harder to flip.

Cook over medium-low heat so the cheese melts before the tortilla gets too dark.

For party appetizers, use street taco tortillas and cut the quesadillas into small wedges.

You can also make these in the air fryer at 375°F for 4–6 minutes, flipping halfway through.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
  • Cuisine: Mexican