Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas
If you’re ready to take your quesadilla game to the next level, then friend, this recipe is calling your name. These Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas are smoky, spicy, ooey-gooey, and packed with flavor in every single bite. Imagine tender, juicy chicken marinated in rich chipotle adobo sauce, snuggled up in a golden, crispy tortilla with layers of melted cheese. It’s got comfort food vibes with a little fiery flair and trust me, once you make these, there’s no going back to plain quesadillas.
Whether you’re whipping these up for a quick lunch, an easy dinner, or a late-night snack attack, they hit the spot every time.
Why You’ll Love Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re cooking for a casual family dinner, hosting a get-together with friends, or simply indulging in some comforting flavors for yourself, this dish is versatile enough to fit the occasion. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile: Works as a hearty lunch, dinner, or party snack totally up to you.
Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, affordable ingredients with big flavor pay-off.
Quick and Easy: Ready in just about 20 minutes.
Customizable: Spice it up, tone it down, switch the cheese your kitchen, your rules.
Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s always a win when a single dish can satisfy everyone at the table. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of flavor and comfort, making it a universal favorite.
Ingredients in Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas
Here’s the flavor-packed lineup that brings it all together:
Chicken Breast: Tender, juicy, and the perfect canvas for all that chipotle flavor.
Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Smoky, spicy, and rich these are the flavor MVPs.
Shredded Cheese: A generous helping of melty cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend.
Flour Tortillas: Soft but sturdy enough to hold all the cheesy, meaty goodness.
Onion: Adds a sweet, savory depth when sautéed.
Garlic: Because what’s a good quesadilla without it?
Butter or Oil: To crisp up the tortillas to golden-brown perfection.
Optional: Sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for serving.

Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Preheat Your Equipment: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat until hot.
Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the shredded cooked chicken with finely chopped chipotle peppers and a spoonful of adobo sauce. Add sautéed onions and garlic for extra flavor.
Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay a tortilla flat and sprinkle half with shredded cheese, followed by a layer of chipotle chicken, then more cheese. Fold in half to close.
Crisp Them Up: Melt butter or oil in your skillet and cook the quesadillas for 2–3 minutes per side, or until the outside is golden and the cheese is perfectly melted.
Finishing Touches: Let the quesadillas rest for a minute before slicing into wedges.
Serve and Enjoy: Plate them up with your favorite sides like guac, salsa, or sour cream.
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: Approximately 400
(Note: these values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
How to Serve Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas
This dish pairs wonderfully with various sides and accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:
Serve with a side of guacamole for creamy, cool contrast.
Pair with salsa verde or pico de gallo for a bright, fresh finish.
Add a drizzle of chipotle mayo for an extra kick.
Toss a quick side salad for balance.
Great with a cold Mexican soda or sparkling lime water.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
Use rotisserie chicken for a fast shortcut.
Adjust spice level by adding fewer or more chipotle peppers.
Try a mix of cheeses for more flavor depth.
Don’t overload the filling it can make the quesadilla harder to flip.
Use a pizza cutter for clean, easy slicing.
FAQ’s
1 Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken works great and saves time.
2 How spicy are these quesadillas?
They’ve got a smoky heat. Use fewer chipotle peppers to dial it down.
3 What kind of cheese works best?
Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend are all melty and flavorful choices.
4 Can I freeze them?
Yes! Cook, cool, and wrap tightly. Reheat in a skillet or oven for best texture.
5 Can I make them in the oven instead of a skillet?
Definitely—bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 10–12 minutes, flipping once.
6 What if I don’t have chipotle in adobo?
You can sub with smoked paprika and a bit of hot sauce, though flavor will differ.
7 Are these good for meal prep?
Yes! Store cooked quesadillas in the fridge and reheat when ready.
8 What’s a good vegetarian alternative?
Swap chicken for sautéed mushrooms or black beans.
9 Can I add veggies to the filling?
Totally! Peppers, corn, or spinach work well.
10 How do I keep them from getting soggy?
Cook on medium heat until crisp, and don’t overload the filling with moisture-heavy ingredients.
Conclusion
These Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas are the ultimate comfort food with a bold, smoky twist that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. They’re quick, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying and once you try them, you’ll want to keep the ingredients stocked for whenever the craving hits. So go ahead, grab those tortillas and fire up your skillet. Dinner (or snack time) just got seriously delicious.
Print
Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 quesadillas 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
- Diet: Halal
Description
Cheesy Chipotle Adobo Chicken Quesadillas are packed with smoky, spicy flavor and melty cheese for the perfect quick and satisfying meal. These quesadillas combine shredded chicken with chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and a generous layer of gooey cheese, all toasted to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (or cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- 4 large flour tortillas
- Butter or oil for greasing the pan
Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and sauté shredded chicken with chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper for 3–4 minutes until heated and well mixed. Remove from heat.
- Lay tortillas flat and sprinkle one half of each with 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.
- Spoon the chipotle chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer.
- Top with another layer of cheese, then fold tortillas in half to close.
- Heat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with butter or oil.
- Cook each quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cheese is melted.
- Remove from heat, let cool slightly, then slice and serve with sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.
Notes
- Adjust chipotle peppers to your preferred spice level.
- Great for using up leftover rotisserie chicken.
- Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: chipotle chicken quesadilla, cheesy quesadillas, spicy chicken wraps, adobo chicken, easy quesadilla recipe