Go Back
–+ servings
Two wedge slices of chicken and cheese quesadilla on a white plate.

Simple Chicken and Cheese Quesadilla

This simple chicken and cheese quesadilla recipe is delicious, nutritious, and juicy. It's a family favorite that is great for picky eaters, kids, and adults alike! Eat it for lunch or dinner, or even as a snack.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Serving Size 6 people

Equipment

  • Instant Pot (or other pressure cooker)
  • cutting board
  • Kitchen knife
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • large spatula
  • Sharp kitchen scissors

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (leftover chicken also works)
  • 2 cups water
  • 4 flour tortillas (both 6-inch and 8-inch tortillas work)
  • 6 slices of your favorite cheese(s)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • avocado slices, sour cream, salsa, and fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions

  • Season a whole chicken with salt and pepper on the inside and out. Set it in an Instant Pot or other pressure cooker with 2 cups of water, and cook for 1 hour. After the chicken has been thoroughly cooked, let it cool down naturally in the pressure cooker.
  • Once the chicken has cooled enough to handle, take it out and put it on a wood cutting board. Pick the meat off the bones and dice it up. (Save the bones and cooking liquid for making chicken bone brother later!) Taste the meat for seasoning.
  • In a cast iron skillet on top of the stove, add olive oil and heat to medium-low or medium heat. While it's heating, get your flour tortillas and cheese ready.
  • Once the skillet is hot, place a tortilla in the skillet, spread chicken on top, and add additional salt and pepper, if desired. Then add slices of cheese to cover the chicken, and add a second tortilla on top. Let it cook for about 3 minutes until the tortilla is golden brown. Then flip it over and cook an additional 3 minutes.
  • When the cheese is melted and the tortillas are golden brown, remove the quesadilla to a plate and start another quesadilla by following the same steps.
  • Let the quesadillas cool for a couple minutes, and then cut into wedges using sharp kitchen scissors. Serve with sliced avocado, salsa, sour cream, or fresh cilantro, as desired. It serves 4 people as a main course, or 6-8 people as a side dish.