Barbecue Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas

Cheesy, crispy, and loaded with barbecue chicken and avocado — this healthy quesadilla recipe is quick, easy, and totally crave-worthy!

If you’ve never made barbecue chicken and avocado quesadillas, just wait—these might ruin regular quesadillas for you. I used to be a strict plain-cheese-only person whenever we ordered Tex-Mex. Then I started experimenting at home, swapped boring cheese for tangy BBQ chicken, creamy avocado, and melty mozzarella, and suddenly I had a BBQ chicken quesadilla that tasted gourmet but took less time than scrolling a delivery app. It’s quick, high-protein, kid-approved, and uses simple ingredients you probably have on hand—perfect as a weeknight dinner idea or a fast lunch.

Why You’ll Love These Quesadillas

Here’s why this avocado chicken quesadilla wins at life:

• Only 5 ingredients
• Ready in 15 minutes
• Uses leftover or rotisserie chicken—total meal prep win
• Balanced with protein, fiber, and healthy fats
• Crispy on the outside, melty and flavor-packed inside

It’s the kind of recipe that feels indulgent but still fits a healthy dinner recipe vibe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 cooked chicken breast (bone-in or boneless)
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (or cheddar/pepper jack)
• 6 whole-grain tortillas (6-inch)

Time-saving swap: use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to make this an effortless quick family dinner.

How to Make Barbecue Chicken and Avocado Quesadillas

1. Cook (if making chicken from scratch)
   Preheat oven to 375°F. Place the chicken breast in a small baking dish with 1/4 cup water. Cover loosely with foil and bake 45 minutes or until cooked through. Remove skin, shred meat with a fork.
2. Mix
   In a bowl, toss shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
3. Assemble
   Heat a skillet over medium. Place one tortilla in the pan. On half the tortilla, layer:
   • A little cheese
   • Barbecue chicken
   • Diced avocado
   • More cheese

   Fold the tortilla over to create a half-moon shape.

4. Cook
   Cook 2–3 minutes per side, until crispy and golden and cheese is fully melted.

Slice and serve immediately.

Optional Add-Ins (Customize Your BBQ Chicken Quesadilla)

These quesadillas are ultra-versatile—here are great swaps to try:

• Add black beans or corn for extra fiber and a Tex-Mex twist.
• Swap cheese for pepper jack if you want a little heat.
• Add sautéed spinach or arugula for a veggie boost.
• Try with pulled pork or leftover shredded turkey instead of chicken.
• Use BBQ tofu for a vegetarian option.

Q&A: Everything You Want to Know

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of baking a chicken breast?
Definitely. Shred 1 to 1½ cups and mix with BBQ sauce. Instant shredded chicken quesadilla.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Use a skillet or toaster oven for 5 to 7 minutes. Keeps them crispy.

Can I freeze these?
Yes. Assemble (but don’t cook), stack with parchment between each quesadilla, and freeze. Cook from frozen over low heat in a skillet.

Are these gluten-free?
Just use gluten-free tortillas and check your BBQ sauce label.

Dairy-free option?
Use a plant-based cheese—or skip cheese and rely on the avocado creaminess.

What side dishes go well with these quesadillas?

Oh, I’ve got you! Try them with Skinny Mexican Rice (pictured above), a Mexican-Style Quinoa Salad, or some 5-Ingredient Mexican Corn. It’s a whole Tex-Mex feast!

If you’re looking for another way to make this quesadilla into an entree, we’d definitely recommend something light to round out your meal. We love serving this dish with a nice salad. Fruit salads, like this Mango and Arugula Salad, go especially well with a dish like this. The fruit provides a nice clean finish and balance compared to the rich, flavorful quesadillas.

Final Thoughts

These barbecue chicken and avocado quesadillas hit every craving—crispy edges, gooey cheese, smoky-sweet BBQ, and buttery avocado. They’re a fast 20-minute meal, perfect for meal prep, and a great way to use up leftover chicken. Once you try them, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain cheese quesadillas.

Let me know how you customize yours—I’m always looking for new quesadilla twists.

– Gale

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