• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Food Meanderings
  • Start HERE
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Courses
      • Breakfast and Brunch
        • Pancakes, Waffles & French Toast
        • Breakfast Potluck Ideas
      • Lunch
        • Sandwiches and Burgers
        • Salads
        • Soups, Stew & Chili Recipes
      • Dinner
        • Main dish
        • Pork Recipes
        • Pasta & Pizza Recipes
        • Casseroles
        • Chicken Recipes
        • Beef
        • Beef Recipes
        • Fish & Seafood
      • Desserts
        • Baked Goods
        • Bars and Squares
        • Cake
        • Cookies
        • Cupcakes
        • Frosting and Icing Recipes
        • Frozen Dessert Recipes
        • Healthy Dessert Recipes
        • No Bake Desserts
        • Pie and Pastry Recipes
        • Sweets
    • Cuisine
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mediterranean Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
      • Southern Recipes
    • Dish Type
      • Appetizers
        • Dip Recipes
      • Breads
        • Bread Machine Recipes
        • Muffins
      • Side Dishes
        • Vegetables
      • Snacks
      • Sauces, Spreads and Condiments
      • Drinks
        • Smoothies
        • Mocktails
      • One-Pot and One-Pan meals
    • Cooking Style
      • Dinner Party Recipes
      • BBQ & Grilling
      • Healthy Recipes
      • Seasonal Cooking
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
      • Vegetarian
    • Special Diet
      • Gluten-free Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
      • Vegetarian
      • Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes
    • Holidays
      • Canada Day
      • Christmas Recipes
      • Easter Recipes
      • Earth Day Recipes
      • Father's Day Recipes
      • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
      • 4th of July Recipes
      • Halloween Recipes
      • Mother's Day Recipes
      • New Year's Eve Recipes
      • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
      • Stampede Recipes
      • Thanksgiving Recipes
      • Birthday Recipes
      • Valentine's Day Recipes
      • Game Day Recipes
    • Ingredient
      • Meat
        • Pork
        • Poultry
      • Pasta
      • Beans
      • Potatoes
      • Fruit
      • Rice
      • Egg Recipes
      • Chocolate
  • Meanderings
    • Articles
      • My Weight Watchers (WW) Journey
      • Weight Watchers Tips & Tricks
      • Comfort & Baked Expectations
      • Gingerbread: The Art of Food
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start HERE
  • Recipes
  • Easter Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
×

Home » Recipes » Courses » Easy Dinner Recipes

Easy Chicken Quesadillas (with leftover rotisserie chicken)

Published: Apr 2, 2018 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Feb 25, 2023 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · 11 Comments

Sharing is caring!

428 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe

It's that point in your life, when you're in pure survival mode; you fantasize about sleeping through the night, sleeping in, relaxing bubble baths and that day when your kids will finally puke in the toilet and even make their own sandwiches.

Easy Mexican Chicken Quesadillas - Foodmeanderings.com

 It was at this time and purely out of necessity, that I created van picnics, along with quick meals like these Easy Chicken Quesadillas using leftover rotisserie chicken (4 WW points). Necessity was my navigator in those early days. It is the mother of invention, after all. And as a mother, you're so immersed in it, you have no idea how much you'll miss it until it's gone.

Jump to:
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 📖Variations & Substitutions
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • 🔢WW Points
  • 💭 What goes well with chicken quesadillas?
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 📋 Easy Chicken Quesadillas recipe

Van picnics were simply a way of making something that wasn't necessarily desirable - eating grocery store food, off paper plates, in the back of a van, while driving to evening activities, just a little more "fun". Everyone loves picnics, right?

Van picnics consisted of food I quickly grabbed at the grocery store, between work and racing across town to pick up the kids at daycare:

  • rotisserie chicken
  • potato wedges
  • veggies and dip
  • sushi
  • fruit for dessert

And since I'd be half-starved myself by this time, I'd dip into a little on the way to pick up the kids at daycare cause I'd be far too busy feeding them and driving to get myself fed once they were back in my loving care. After I buckled them snugly in their seats, filled their plates, and handed them back a paper plate of food, we were off  - to dance or whatever activity was on deck that night!

🥘 Ingredients

And of course, at the time, they were little and they didn't eat very much... so.... what to do with all that leftover rotisserie chicken?

Make chicken quesadillas, of course~!

All you need is:

  • leftover chicken
  • salsa
  • tortillas
  • cheese
  • black olives
  • cilantro

This was always one of my absolute favorite things about van picnics - the leftovers. These are not only the best chicken quesadillas recipe, it's an easy, kid-friendly, 20 minute meal that uses up chicken leftovers. You can make it when you get home from work or make ahead and freeze. You only need a few ingredients and a few minutes. And no matter what age your kids are or how busy you are, a delicious and quick easy meal is always a blessing.

Easy Chicken Quesadillas ingredients - Foodmeanderings.com

📖Variations & Substitutions

  • Gluten-free - use gluten-free tortillas
  • Cheese - use spicy habanero or jack jalapeno cheese or use cheddar cheese

👪 Serving Size

This leftover rotisserie chicken quesadilla recipe makes 12 servings. You can half, double, or triple the recipe by clicking on the blue serving number and selecting the number of servings you'd like. The ingredient quantities will automatically adjust.You can also make more pancakes if you make them smaller (with only a ¼ cup of batter).

🔢WW Points

This quesadilla recipe is WW friendly @ 4 WW points.

💭 What goes well with chicken quesadillas?

  • Quick Cucumber Kimchi
  • Garden salad
  • Mandarin Orange Salad Recipe
  • Spinach salad

🍽Equipment

For this chicken quesadilla recipe, you'll need a large skillet (affiliate links).

🌡️Storage

Store these quesadillas for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
They can be frozen for up to 3 months in a sealed container or Ziploc freezer bag.

chicken quesadilla on black plate with salsa in dish

Now that my kids are older, many of their activities start later in the evening. And since I'm not racing from work at one end of the city to the other and picking them up at daycare,  like I was in those early days of child-rearing, I have a wee bit more time to play with.

These days they even come home from school on their own, puke in the toilet, and can even make their own sandwiches.  I also get to sleep through the night, sleep in on weekends and have bubble baths; all the things I fantasized about in the midst of our van picnic days. I guess you'd think that I was living the dream now ? Well, the dream I had when they were small anyway.

But with bigger kids come bigger problems....

And although those days were tough and van picnics were a major juggling act on their own between balancing paper plates, someone crying, someone spilling something, someone having to go to the bathroom and a dance shoe missing, all while I was utterly exhausted from lack of sleep and stressed from work,  I often ache for the simplicity of our van picnic days...

My mom always said:

"The days are long but the years are short."

I now truly understand the meaning of that. My son recently reminded me that in 4 months, I'll officially have a teenager on my hands. Yikes. These days I'm no less busy, but it's different.

There are very few leftovers these days, but I still buy those rotisserie chickens from the grocery store on my way home, not only for the chicken quesadillas but for the van picnic memories.

And as a I dip into a little of that rotisserie chicken as I'm driving, just as I did picking them up from daycare all those years ago, I can taste the simplicity of those early days, and almost see my 6-year-old son and 4-year-old daughter innocently peering back at me from their car seats, while I savor the chicken and the memories and forget about bigger kid problems... for just a little while.

Although, I do have to admit, I wouldn't trade sleeping through the night and sleeping in on weekends for all the van picnics in the world. I guess sleep just trumps simplicity and pretty much everything and anything else when you're a parent!

weight watchers leftover chicken quesadillas on a wooden cutting board
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Easy Chicken Quesadillas recipe

Make these Easy Mexican Chicken Quesadillas with leftover rotisserie chicken (or home cooked chicken). This is an easy 20 minute dinner you can make when you get home to work. I also make it ahead and freeze it (or leftovers) as it freezes really well! * These can be gluten-free if you use a gluten-free tortilla wrap.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner, lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: easy, leftover chicken, quesadillas
Special Diet: Weight Watchers
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 203kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

large skillet

Ingredients

  • 2 cups leftover rotisserie chicken, chopped * you can also use cooked chicken breasts
  • 200 ml can sliced black olives
  • ⅔ cup salsa
  • 1 cup spicy habanero or jack jalapeno pepper cheese ** or use low-fat medium cheddar cheese
  • 3 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped * I use 3 but if you like a little less cilantro, use 2
  • 6 10 inch tortillas * I like to use colourful ones - these are spinach, pesto and garlic. If you use the brand in the ingredient link, they are gluten-free

Garnish (optional):

  • salsa
  • sour cream
  • cilantro sprigs

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl, reserving ¼ cup of the cheese.
  • Heat 2 - 12 inch frying pan to medium on stove and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Lightly brown one side of tortilla then flip. Add filling to one tortilla and take the other one from the pan (browned side down) and put it on top. Reduce to medium- low, cover and cook with lid for a few minutes (3 minutes approximately) then gently flip. 
  • * if a little filling falls out, don't worry, just put it back in. Sprinkle ⅓ of the remaining cheese on top and put the lid back on and cook for another 2 minutes.
  • Repeat for other quesadillas. You can use another frying pan if you have it to make it faster/more efficient. Cut into 4 pieces, garnish (optional) and serve. 

Notes

 My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)

Nutrition Facts
📋 Easy Chicken Quesadillas recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 slice)
Calories 203 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 29mg10%
Sodium 711mg31%
Potassium 125mg4%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 268IU5%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 161mg16%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 203kcal (10%) | Carbohydrates: 20g (7%) | Protein: 12g (24%) | Fat: 9g (14%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (19%) | Cholesterol: 29mg (10%) | Sodium: 711mg (31%) | Potassium: 125mg (4%) | Fiber: 2g (8%) | Sugar: 2g (2%) | Vitamin A: 268IU (5%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 161mg (16%) | Iron: 2mg (11%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

More 85+ Easy Dinner Recipe Ideas

  • 2 air fryer roast chickens on a green plate with lemon wedges
    Air Fryer Roast Chicken (with lemon, rosemary and garlic)
  • Minestrone soup in a black bowl with spoon and black napkin on the side
    Easy Healthy Minestrone Soup
  • Greek ribs piled on a black serving plate with lemon wedges and a red dish of rice in and grey oven mitts in the background
    Greek Ribs (grilled)
  • buffalo chicken zucchini boats with ranch dip and parmesan cheese in white bowls in the background
    Buffalo Chicken Zucchini Boats

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vanessa Russell

    April 06, 2018 at 3:44 pm

    Love using leftover rotisserie chicken to make quesadillas like these! I love that you included cilantro in them too, I’m a big fan!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      April 06, 2018 at 5:57 pm

      I am also a big cilantro fan, Vanessa! I don't get the 'anti cilantro' camp that says it tastes like soap. It's the best and the more the better!

      Reply
  2. Lillian

    April 06, 2018 at 4:32 pm

    Haha! I love how you legitimize my eating in the car and call it a "van picnic". Except what is it called if I frequently have my breakfast and lunch while driving too as I go between schools or on the way to a school. Anyways, I love how simple this is and an thinking it will work great for lunches . Hopefully at a table 🙂

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      April 06, 2018 at 5:56 pm

      LOL! Yes, Lilian - the 'van picnic' was for the benefit of the kids! I meet with physicians over lunch, so my lunch is on my lap in my van either before or after meetings, as is my breakfast on the way to work. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Chef Markus Mueller

    April 08, 2018 at 10:02 am

    Terri, These look absolutely awesome!! I never make quesadillas at home. Why? Not sure really, I usually make wraps for lunch with my 'wraps'...seems like an easy weeknight supper though!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      April 08, 2018 at 10:40 am

      Thanks, Markus! I know what you mean.. for years I only ordered them at restaurants and don't know why when they are so easy to make at home! I hope you enjoy them for an easy weeknight dinner!

      Reply
  4. Sue Slaght

    April 13, 2018 at 5:11 pm

    I actually often make quesadillas at home but the yare a vegetarian variety. I had never thought about using rotisserie chicken. Brilliant idea!

    Reply
    • Terri Gilson

      April 13, 2018 at 8:00 pm

      Thanks, Sue!

      Reply
      • Tania Bergen

        April 25, 2018 at 9:16 am

        I Sent this recipe to a few friends, they were grateful for this delicious & easy recipe, quesadillas. Cilantro is a dislike for Len, but like you, it is also my favourite. So will use it on a side dish.. (This one is definitely a keeper!)
        I believe a few of my friends had subscribed to your site as she was interested in all your recipes I sent her to share. She quoted that you were an excellent cook with very tasty recipe ideas.
        Thanks for all your hard work & great postings of recipes!
        Aunt Tania

        Reply
        • Terri Gilson

          April 26, 2018 at 6:39 am

          Thanks, Auntie Tania! I'm glad you and your friends are enjoying the recipes!

          Reply
  5. Melissa Griffiths

    April 17, 2018 at 7:13 pm

    Quesadillas are a family fave for quick nights! I love your van picnics - what we mommas won't do to spice things up for our kids, right? 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

More about me →

Easter Recipes

  • a piece of lemon pie being lifted out of a whole pie, with a lemon cut in half in background
    Old Fashioned Lemon Pie
  • collage of 4 photos of healthy leftover ham recipes with black text on white circle in the middle.
    35 Healthy Leftover Ham Recipes
  • collage of 4 photos of Easter brunch recipes with text in the middle
    Easter Brunch Menu Ideas
  • a slice of daffodil cake on a white plate with lattice trim and a blue material background
    Daffodil Cake

More Easter Recipes --->

Footer

Featured On:

Taste Of Home Logo Parade Logo MSN Logo Master Chef Canada Logo Huffpost Logo Good Housekeeping Logo

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Policy

Subscribe

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work with me

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Foodmeanderings.com

428 shares