Craving spicy, cheesy goodness in a flash? These Spicy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas are your answer! This buffalo chicken recipe transforms simple ingredients into a quick, satisfying meal perfect for any day of the week. You’ll love how easy they are to make, packed with bold flavors and that irresistible crispy texture. Get ready for a new family favorite!
Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Recipe
This buffalo chicken recipe quickly becomes a go-to for many reasons. It’s incredibly simple to prepare, making it ideal for busy evenings. Every bite is packed with bold, spicy flavor that buffalo sauce lovers adore. You can easily adjust the heat level to suit your taste, from mild to extra fiery. These quesadillas are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing snack on game day. Enjoy the satisfying combination of crispy tortillas, melty cheese, and tender, spicy chicken. It’s a family-friendly dish that delivers big on taste!
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for these delicious buffalo chicken recipes:
- Large flour-style tortillas: 4 (I like Mission GF Tortillas for a gluten-free option)
- Shredded cooked chicken: 2-3 cups (from a rotisserie, baked, or air-fried chicken)
- Buffalo wing sauce: 1/2 to 3/4 cup (I like Frank’s RedHot or Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- Chopped green onions: 1/4 cup
- Shredded Mexican cheese blend: 1 1/2 cups
- Ranch dressing: For dipping (or blue cheese dressing)
Notes & Substitutions
Chicken: Cooked chicken is essential for this easy buffalo chicken recipe. A store-bought rotisserie chicken works beautifully, or use leftover baked chicken breast. Tortillas: Choose your favorite large flour tortillas. Gluten-free options, like Mission GF Tortillas, are excellent for those with dietary needs. Cheese: A Mexican blend offers great flavor, but Monterey Jack, cheddar, or pepper jack are also delicious alternatives. Sauce: Adjust the amount of buffalo wing sauce to control the spice level. Use less for mild, more for extra kick! Green Onions: If you don’t have green onions, chives or finely diced red onion can offer a similar fresh bite. Dairy-Free Option: Simply swap the cheese for your favorite dairy-free shredded cheese and use a plant-based ranch dressing.
Equipment
You only need a few basic kitchen tools for this buffalo chicken recipe:
- Large skillet or flat griddle
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula or tongs
- Cutting board
- Cooling rack
Instructions
Creating these tasty buffalo chicken recipes is straightforward and quick.
- Prep Chicken Mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped green onions, and your desired amount of buffalo wing sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat Skillet: Place a large nonstick skillet or a flat griddle over medium heat. Lightly spray the cooking surface with nonstick spray or a drizzle of oil.
- First Tortilla Layer: Once the skillet is warm, lay one large flour tortilla flat onto the cooking surface. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over half of the tortilla.
- Add Chicken Filling: Evenly spread about half of the buffalo chicken mixture over the cheese layer.
- Second Cheese Layer: Top the chicken mixture with another sprinkle of shredded cheese. This helps to bind the quesadilla together.
- Top with Tortilla: Place a second tortilla directly on top, or fold the bottom tortilla over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
- Cook First Side: Cook the quesadilla for 3-5 minutes, or until the bottom tortilla is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese has started to melt.
- Flip Quesadilla: Carefully slide your spatula under the quesadilla and flip it over to cook the second side.
- Cook Second Side: Continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes until the second side is also golden brown and crispy, and all the cheese is gooey and melted.
- Rest & Slice: Transfer the cooked quesadilla to a cutting board or a cooling rack. Let it rest for about 5 minutes. This allows the cheese to set slightly, making it easier to slice. Slice the quesadilla into wedges using a sharp knife.
- Serve Warm: Serve your spicy buffalo chicken quesadillas immediately with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Even Heat: Maintain consistent medium heat on your skillet. Too high, and the tortillas burn; too low, and they won’t get crispy.
- Don’t Overfill: Resist the urge to add too much filling. Overfilling can lead to spillage and make flipping difficult, resulting in uneven cooking.
- Crispy Edges: For extra crispy quesadillas, cook them slightly longer on each side until the edges turn a deeper golden brown.
- Adjust Spice: Control the heat level by adding less or more buffalo sauce. For an extra kick, a dash of cayenne pepper to the chicken mixture works wonders.
- Prevent Sticking: Always use enough oil or nonstick spray on your skillet before adding the tortilla.
- Soggy Quesadillas: Don’t crowd the pan; cook one or two at a time, depending on your skillet size. Ensure your skillet is hot enough before adding the tortilla.
- Perfect Shredded Chicken: If you’re cooking chicken from scratch for your buffalo chicken recipes, boil chicken breasts for 15-20 minutes, then shred easily with two forks.
Serving, Storage & Variations
These Spicy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas are incredibly versatile.
Serving Suggestions: Serve warm with cool ranch or blue cheese dressing. Fresh celery sticks and carrot sticks make a perfect crunchy accompaniment. You can enjoy these as a main meal with a simple side salad for a complete dinner.
Storage Instructions: Store any cooled leftover quesadilla wedges in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Tips: For the best results, reheat leftovers in a dry skillet over medium heat, in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or in an oven at 375°F (190°C) until warmed through and crispy. Microwaving is an option, but it won’t yield the same crisp texture.
Variations:
- Protein Swaps: Experiment with pulled pork, shredded beef, or plant-based chicken strips for different buffalo chicken recipes.
- Vegetable Additions: Add finely diced bell peppers, corn, or jalapeños to the chicken mixture for extra flavor and texture.
- Different Cheeses: Try a blend of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack, or add a touch of smoked gouda for richness.
- Extra Spice: For heat seekers, mix a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce into the buffalo chicken.
- Wrap or Bowl: Turn the filling into a buffalo chicken wrap with fresh lettuce, or create a deconstructed buffalo chicken bowl over rice or salad greens.
Nutrition
Please note that exact nutritional values for this buffalo chicken recipe can vary based on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. This table provides an estimate for a single serving of these delicious quesadillas.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers insights into the role of registered dietitian nutritionists in providing personalized dietary advice.
Always consult a certified nutritionist for personalized dietary advice.
| Nutrition Fact | Amount Per Serving (Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 450-550 |
| Total Fat | 25-35g |
| Saturated Fat | 10-15g |
| Cholesterol | 80-100mg |
| Sodium | 1000-1200mg |
| Total Carbs | 30-40g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2-4g |
| Sugars | 3-5g |
| Protein | 30-40g |
FAQ
What kind of chicken is best for buffalo chicken recipes? Cooked shredded chicken works best. Rotisserie chicken, baked chicken breasts, or even boiled chicken are all great options for these buffalo chicken recipes.
Can I make these quesadillas less spicy? Yes, absolutely! Use a milder buffalo sauce or reduce the amount you add to the chicken mixture to control the heat.
Do buffalo chicken quesadillas freeze well? While you can freeze them, the texture of the tortillas may become slightly softer. Freeze cooked and cooled quesadillas in an airtight container for up to one month, then reheat in an oven or air fryer for best results.
How do I get my quesadillas extra crispy? Cook them over consistent medium heat with a little oil, ensuring each side gets ample time to turn golden brown and crisp up. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
Can I prepare the chicken mixture ahead of time? Yes, you can mix the shredded chicken, green onions, and buffalo sauce up to 2 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
What are good side dishes for buffalo chicken quesadillas? Celery sticks, carrot sticks, a simple green salad, or even some corn on the cob pair wonderfully with the bold flavors of the buffalo chicken quesadillas.
Conclusion
These Spicy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas truly deliver on flavor and convenience, making them one of our favorite buffalo chicken recipes. They are incredibly easy to prepare, bursting with zesty buffalo flavor, and offer that satisfying crunch everyone loves. Perfect for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or just a quick, delicious meal. Give this crowd-pleasing dish a try tonight and watch it disappear! We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!