Taco seasoned chicken and refried beans make up the filling in this Rio Grande Chicken Quesadilla Recipe that is family friendly and filling.
Rio Grande Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
Originally posted June 1, 2008 – As I go back and remake recipes from the archives here on Taste and Tell, I will sometimes look for favorite recipes that I think need a new chance in the spotlight. Other times, I’ll look for the really, really bad photos that need retaken asap. This chicken quesadilla recipe falls into both of those categories. Not only has it been a family favorite for many, many years, but the original photo was so bad that it’s not surprising that it’s been lost in the archives. I’ve seriously made these quesadillas 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!
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 I’ll cook extra chicken just so that I have extra shredded chicken on hand. It actually freezes very well, too!
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!
Fillings for an Easy Quesadilla Recipe
I think one of my favorite things about this quesadilla recipe is the fillings. I think the refried beans give it a lot more substance than most quesadillas, making these a perfect lunch or dinner recipe. While you could switch up the fillings easily, here is what I put in this easy chicken quesadilla recipe:
- cooked, shredded chicken with taco seasoning
- refried beans
- Monterey Jack cheese
- green onions
- cilantro
More Quesadilla Recipes:
Grilled Corn Quesadilla Recipe
Bacon Cheeseburger Quesadillas
Greek Quesadillas
Cuban Quesadilla Recipe
Sweet Potato Chicken Quesadillas
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Rio Grande Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cook
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Taco seasoned chicken and refried beans make up the filling in this Rio Grande Chicken Quesadilla Recipe that is family friendly and filling.
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
Instructions
- Combine chicken, water and taco seasoning in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer (uncovered) for 15 minutes. Stir in retried beans.
- Spread approximately 1/3 cup of the chicken mixture over half of each tortilla. Layer cheese, green onions and cilantro evenly over the chicken mixture. Fold each tortilla in half.
- In a large skillet, heat a small amount of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot. Quickly fry each quesadilla until slightly crisp, turning once. Cut each quesadilla into quarters.
Recipe Notes:
Adapted from The Great American Brand Name Cookbook
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 quesadilla
- Calories: 359
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 864 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 52 mg
Keywords: easy chicken quesadilla, easy quesadilla recipe
bristol says
These sound so good, thanks for sharing this delicious looking recipe.
Simon
Chels R. says
I think you photographed them beautifully! I’d eat it! 🙂
bev @ bevcooks says
Hot dang, girl. I’m on board.
Matea says
I’ve only recently discovered the magic of turning left-overs into quesadillas. So now that I’m going through a quesadilla-phase, these quesadillas showed up right on time! Yummy!! 🙂
Kathleen @ Yummy Crumble says
These look fantastic! I agree about photographing them. Mine tend to look sloppy, but these turned out great in the photos :).
Kim says
Made these for dinner last night minus the cilantro (we’re not cilantro fans). We really enjoyed them. Thanks for sharing!
Bellini Valli says
I now know what I am having for supper with my leftover spatchcock chicken… I just need some cheese, although what about goat cheese:D
kellypea says
Love quesadillas! And who says melty cheese is unphotogenic? It looks droolworthy to me.
Mama Goose says
This looks awesome. I think I’ll try it tonight. I’d love your taco seasoning recipe when you get a chance. Thanks!
Elle says
I LOVE these, they look so good! Quesadillas are such a great, quick meal. I am bookmarking this one! Oh, and I really like this photo, too.
finsmom says
Your quesadillas have inspired me to make (and write!) about my own! Yours look delightful, and similar to the ones I make!
Ruth Elkin says
I’ve only had a quesadilla once and loved it…. why have i never made it before! You’ve inspired me!
Tracy says
I love quesadillas! I love the idea of bad photo Sunday — although those photos really aren’t bad. I think I should do the opposite — good photo Sunday, and just assume the rest are bad.
Suzana says
That’s my type of recipe! Sounds delicious – I’m sure it tasted great!
Rosie says
This really sounds SO good!!
Rosie x
Sylvie says
I’ll have to try these next time I have leftover chicken!
Patricia Scarpin says
Deb, that looks so good, it shouldn’t be called a bad photo, not in a million years…
LizzyBee says
I would love to check out your taco seasoning recipe! These quesadillas look very yummy.
Grace says
quesadillas (you oughta hear my grandma pronounce that word, it’s hilarious–kiss-a-dill-a) may not take the best pictures, but they sure do make one of the best meals. a little salsa, a little guac, maybe some black beans on the side, and i’m good to go.
Jenny says
Quesadillas are one of my favorite things to eat! These sound delicious and they look great to me!
Day to Day Chronicles says
Looks great. I’ll add it to my recipes for sure.
mimi says
that top photo is definitely not non-photogenic! it looks delish!!
Melanie says
I love, love quesadillas and we eat them a lot so I will try this recipe. Can I have your taco seasoning recipe? I bet it is delicious.
Jeena says
This sounds so lovely. 🙂
Kevin says
Those Quesadillas look really tasty!
Laurie says
I guess you can call me a lurker fan of your blog. I love a tasty new recipe. These look like something my family will enjoy.
I would love to see your taco seasoning recipe! Please post!!
glamah16 says
I made CS som elast week with leftovers. Its a great dish because you can use what you have on hand and come up with great combos.
HoneyB says
p.s. I wouldn’t mind your taco seasoning recipe!
HoneyB says
I just took a chicken out of the freezer this morning for later this week. I will have to use leftovers from this to try your quesadilla recipe! Looks yummy to me.