All Latest

Posted: 05/24/2023

Chicken Quesadilla with Refried Beans

Name: Chicken Quesadilla with Refried Beans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken; 3/4 cup water; 2-4 teaspoons taco seasoning (depending on preference); 1 can (16 oz) refried beans; 6 large flour tortillas; 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese; 1/4 cup chopped green onions; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro; Vegetable oil

Total Time: 20 minutes 0 Reviews Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my privacy & disclosures.

Taco seasoned chicken and refried beans make up the filling in this Chicken Quesadilla recipe that is family friendly and filling.

PIN IT FOR LATER!

My favorite dinner hack is using shredded chicken for fast and easy meals. If you love easy and fast, too, also try these White Chicken Enchiladas or these Chicken Chilaquiles.

Chicken quesadilla filled with chicken, refried beans, and cheese.

Today, I’m here to spill the beans (pun intended) with the ultimate chicken quesadillas! Brace yourselves for a recipe that will have you coming back for seconds, thirds, and even fourths!

I’ve seriously made this chicken quesadilla recipe more times that I could count. They are a little different from your typical quesadillas because of the refried beans. They make these substantial enough for a filling dinner that my family loves!

The crispy, golden tortilla encases the warm, melty cheese, while the chicken and refried beans provide a satisfying contrast. It’s a symphony of texture that everyone in the family will enjoy!

So, get ready to elevate your quesadilla game!

Chicken quesadilla with refried beans cut into wedges with cilantro and green onion on top.

How to Make Chicken Quesadillas

This recipe starts with cooked, shredded chicken. I use this a lot in my cooking – mostly because it’s an easy way to get dinner on the table in a hurry. If you make chicken often, take the leftovers and shred it and keep it for easy recipes like this. Or check out my post about shredded chicken so you can cook it up and keep it in the freezer for easy dinners.

You’ll start by combining the chicken with taco seasoning and simmering them together. Then you’ll stir in refried beans.
Spread the chicken and bean mixture evenly over half of you tortilla. Top with cheese, green onions and cilantro. Then fold the tortilla in half, enclosing all of those fillings.
Heat a small amount of vegetable oil in a large skillet. When it’s hot, add the folded tortilla and cook until the quesadilla is crispy. Flip the quesadilla and cook on the second side.
Cut the quesadilla into triangles and serve. My favorite is to serve them with sour cream, salsa and guacamole!

Substitutions

The great thing about recipes like this one is that it’s pretty hard to mess up. You can swap ingredients in or out according to your preferences.

Instead of chicken, try leftover pulled pork or beef barbacoa.

I like to use Monterey Jack cheese, but cheddar, colby, or even mozzarella would be great!

Don’t have refried beans? Use a can of black beans and mash them up with a fork before adding them.

Instead of using vegetable oil to cook the quesadillas, use butter.

Wedges of chicken quesadilla topped with cilantro.

More Quesadilla Recipes:

Grilled Corn Quesadilla Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Quesadillas
Greek Quesadillas
Chorizo and Shrimp Quesadillas with Smoky Guacamole
Cuban Quesadilla Recipe
Chipotle Beef Quesadilla Recipe

Looking for more free recipes?

Subscribe to my free recipe newsletter to get new family friendly recipes in your inbox each week! Find me sharing more family-friendly inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram.