Smoked Chicken and Apple Quesadillas
Flaky tortillas filled with shredded smoked chicken, caramelized apples, and melted cheese, perfect for a quick Southern meal. This southern-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 45 minutes pairs smoked chicken, medium apples, large tortillas for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked chicken
- 2 medium apples
- 6 large tortillas
- 1 cup, shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Toss chopped apples with olive oil, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Roast at 375°F for 20 minutes until caramelized.
- Step 2: Shred smoked chicken and mix with roasted apples. Layer cheese on one side of each tortilla.
- Step 3: Place tortillas on a skillet and cook over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until edges are golden. Add chicken-apple mixture and cheese.
- Step 4: Fold tortillas in half and cook for another 2 minutes until cheese is melted. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Chicken and Apple Quesadillas take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (30 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Smoked Chicken and Apple Quesadillas?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked chicken from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Chicken and Apple Quesadillas?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Smoked Chicken and Apple Quesadillas for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Smoked Chicken and Apple Quesadillas?
Southern bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
