Teriyaki Chicken Quesadilla

Teriyaki chicken stuffed in a cheesy quesadilla…it doesn’t get much better than that! I love the sweet and tangy flavor of teriyaki especially on chicken. Wrap it in gooey, melty cheese and a buttery tortilla, and you have yourself an out of this world meal!

I know this is a little weird to admit as it’s really not at all healthy and I wouldn’t ever make it for my kids after school, but I might as well let you in on my life. So here goes, at least 3-4 times a week when I would get home from high school I’d make myself a teriyaki chicken quesadilla or burrito.

I know, dinner was only a few hours away and most kids were having a snack but I was having a full on meal. But it was good, it was real good!

And then for some odd reason I totally forgot about it. Fast forward 10 or so years and I rediscovered this delicacy. I had some leftover teriyaki chicken from the night our babysitter went into labor at our house, while babysitting. Oh, you missed that?

This Actually Happened

One night I took the hubs to a Utah Jazz basketball game and due to a few changes we ended up having our friend, who was pregnant with her first, babysit for us. She wasn’t having anything happen with baby, the kids would be in bed sleeping and the neighbors had been alerted that a preggers was babysitting just in case anything did happen.

So off we went to the game and I was texting like mad, “Any baby news? How’s baby? Are you in labor? Get that baby out!!” It was all good fun and I was truly just teasing her when suddenly I got a text, “K, this is for reals, I think my water just broke.”

Holy cow!!! Was this for real? You should have seen Cade and I run out of there. I mean seriously. Just minutes before I had told him that I had a feeling that we should head home. I even had my coat in my lap. He had decided to wait a little longer as it was just half time. Nope! My feeling had been right. We ran up the stairs, down the street and straight to our car and then flew home. The next day one of our favorite family’s ever had a beautiful baby girl.

So, here’s to you Ashton and Tyler! Thanks for not giving birth in my living room! Haha, jk. But seriously, love those sweet friends.

What is a Quesadilla?

Now back to the teriyaki chicken I had leftover in the fridge. A light came on and suddenly I remembered that childhood favorite of mine…teriyaki chicken quesadilla!

A quesadilla is a tortilla that is filled with meat, cheese and sometimes other ingredients.

It is then heated on a griddle until the cheesy is melted and the tortilla is crispy.

What Do I Need to Make a Teriyaki Chicken Quesadilla?

If you have your teriyaki sauce ready to go then all you need is 3 more ingredients. Here is what you will need:

• Chicken Breast: You could use chicken thighs if you prefer. I just like how a chicken breast shreds a little better.
• Teriyaki Sauce: You can buy from a store or make homemade sauce. If you go with our homemade teriyaki sauce recipe, you will need water, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, honey, ground ginger, water and cornstarch.
• Cheese: I love the flavor of cheddar cheese in this recipe, but you could also use colby jack, monterey jack or mozzarella cheese.
• Flour Tortillas: I’m a total sucker for the uncooked tortillas, but you can grab any type of flour tortilla you want. If you use uncooked tortillas, make sure to cook them before making this recipe.

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.

Variations for Teriyaki Chicken Quesadillas

We’ve tried a few different variations of this recipe and they are all quite delicious! Try sauteing bell peppers and/or pineapple with the chicken in the teriyaki sauce until tender. Sliced green onions are also a yummy addition!

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Quesadillas

In order to make these quesadillas, you need some cooked teriyaki chicken. We have the best easy teriyaki chicken recipe so start there!  Our perfect cheesy quesadilla post also has a few tips for making the best quesadilla that you should read too.

If you are using uncooked tortillas, cook those first. Then put cheese on one of the tortillas and some of the shredded chicken and drizzle with teriyaki sauce. Top the chicken with more cheese and then top with the other tortilla. Place the tortilla back in the skillet to melt the cheese. Flip it once and when the cheese is melted, you are ready to roll!

What Cheese Goes Well with Teriyaki?

We like cheddar in this recipe, but teriyaki flavors go well with many different types of cheese. Some good options are mozzarella, pepper jack, monterey jack, gruyere or harvarti.

Can You Use Corn Tortillas For Quesadillas?

Flour tortillas are more durable and are most commonly used for quesadillas.

But, both corn and flour tortillas make good quesadillas.

Is Teriyaki Sauce Gluten Free?

The most common source of gluten in teriyaki sauce is from soy sauce. Most soy sauce contains gluten.

But, you can buy gluten free soy sauce to make gluten free teriyaki sauce.

Is Teriyaki Chicken Keto?

No, teriyaki chicken is not keto. There is sugar and honey in our recipe for the teriyaki sauce which are not low carb. If you’re looking for a keto friendly teriyaki marinade recipe, head here.

Is Teriyaki Chicken Spicy?

Basic teriyaki chicken is not spicy. Teriyaki sauce is sweet and tangy, but not spicy. You can definitely make it spicy if that’s what you are after! I don’t love spicy, so I like to keep it just sweet and tangy. If you want to add a little heat, add some sriracha…1/2 teaspoon to start, then test the heat level and add more if desired.

Can Dogs Eat Teriyaki Chicken?

It is not recommended that dogs eat teriyaki chicken. Many soy sauces contain xylitol which is highly toxic for dogs. If you find a soy sauce that doesn’t contain xylitol, it is still not recommended. It’s just not part of a dog’s normal diet so it can cause digestive problems.

What to Eat with Teriyaki Chicken?

These teriyaki chicken quesadillas can be a meal by themselves! They are hearty and filling! If you want to make a more complete meal, go with a side of ham fried rice and some sauteed sugar snap peas!

How Long will Teriyaki Chicken Keep?

It will keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days if it is stored properly. It should be stored in an airtight container.

Can You Freeze Teriyaki Chicken?

Yes! It freezes quite well. Let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container. It will be good in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are ready to eat it, allow it to defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it according to the section below.

How Do You Reheat Teriyaki Chicken?

Chicken can be tricky to reheat sometimes without drying it out. When I reheat teriyaki chicken, I like to add more sauce to it and then heat it up. I usually reheat it in the microwave and make sure it is covered with a microwave safe plastic wrap or plate to keep the moisture in the dish.

I might have had teriyaki chicken quesadillas for an after school snack as a kid, but now I make it as a dinner for my whole family!

fold, twist, red bell pepper, tablespoon, vegetable oil, teaspoons, small bowl

More QUESADILLA RECIPES:

• Grilled S’mores Dessert Quesadillas
• Cafe Rio {Copycat} Sweet Pork Quesadilla
• How to Make a Quesadilla (Classic Recipe!)
• Deep Fried Bean and Cheese Quesadilla
• Mango Bacon Chicken Quesadilla

More TERIYAKI RECIPES:

• Teriyaki Chicken Casserole
• Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad
• Easy Chicken Teriyaki
• Teriyaki Pina Colada Burger
• Teriyaki Veggie Bowl
• Easy Teriyaki Chicken Salad
• Teriyaki Beef Wrap
• Teriyaki Beef Casserole
• Pina Colada Teriyaki Chicken Strips

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