Pineapple was cheap the other week so I picked some up on a whim and although I was enjoying eating it as is, I couldn’t help but think of using some of it in a recipe. For those of you that have been following for a while, you will not be surprised that one of my first ideas was using it in a grilled cheese sandwich , though as it happened I was out of bread but I did have some extra tortillas that needed using and so quesadillas it was! With all of the cold weather lately I have been dreaming about warmer days and the BBQ chicken and pineapple flavour combo was sounding really good for a cheesy quesadilla, along with some spicy jalapenos for extra heat of course. If it were warmer out I would fire up the grill, grill some chicken and slather it with BBQ sauce but since that was not viable I went with the simpler leftover shredded chicken option, which also happens to be much quicker to implement. I have to say that the combo of the sweet and spicy BBQ chicken and juicy and tangy pineapple was a fabulous one! The ooey gooey cheesy quesadillas were pretty amazing and certainly did remind me warmer days; a perfect way to enjoy that pineapple!
A new quesadilla shot; the open uncooked ingredient shot! Don’t worry more cheese was heaped on top of all of that before the tortilla was folded over to make the quesadilla!
Just look at all of that amazing melted cheese, BBQ chicken, pineapple and jalapenos! Those bits of burnt cheese that melted out of the sides of the quesadilla are obviously the best part!
BBQ Chicken and Pineapple Quesadillas
Sweet and spicy BBQ chicken and juicy and tangy pineapple quesadillas filled with spicy jalapenos and plenty of melted cheese!
ingredients
- 1 (10 inch) tortilla
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup chicken, cooked, shredded or cut into small pieces and warm
- 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup pineapple, sliced and optionally grilled
- 1 jalapeno, sliced
- cilantro to taste
directions
- Heat a pan over medium heat.
- Place the tortilla in the pan, sprinkle half of the cheese over half of the tortilla, followed by the chicken, BBQ sauce, pineapple, jalapeno, cilantro and the remaining cheese.
- Fold the tortilla in half covering the filling and cook until the quesadilla is golden brown on both sides and the cheese is melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.
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Anonymous says
March 5, 2013 at 12:25 amYour recipes are wonderful and the photos are gorgeous. Sometimes, I find myself reading the text a few times over because of the lack of commas. I guess you're not a comma person, huh?
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
March 5, 2013 at 1:51 amThat looks amazing! I'm pinning it and can't wait to make it … what a great combination of flavors!
Christina @ It's a Keeper says
March 5, 2013 at 2:21 amThese look absolutely AH-MAZING! I can't wait to give them a try!! Thanks for sharing!
Christina @ It's a Keeper
Closet Blitz Woman says
March 5, 2013 at 2:26 amThis would be heaven onn a stick for my dreary worklunches. I am going to have to pilfer the recipe and make. Many thanks Kevin.
Pauline says
March 5, 2013 at 6:11 amAh, what a unique way to use pineapple. Never have I heard it used in a quesadilla. That will be something to try! As always, your cheesy recipes always look amazing and devilishly tasty!
Peabody says
March 5, 2013 at 6:52 amLoving this Kevin! Yum!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
March 5, 2013 at 7:04 amThis sounds amazing! And yes – those crunchy cheesy bits around the edge are definitely the best! Such a brilliant use of pineapple, I bet the sweet/tart thing is amazing in this.
Vimitha Anand says
March 5, 2013 at 7:15 amI love the combo of chicken and pineapple. Cheesy and yummy dish
Juliana Loh @bilbaobab says
March 5, 2013 at 9:59 amthis looks and sounds delish!!!! good idea adding pineapple to the mix! thanks for sharing the recipe! 🙂
Anonymous says
March 5, 2013 at 2:18 pmLooks delicious, Kevin and I bet the jalapenos really give it that extra pop! You're getting really good at this. . . 😀
Bev Weidner (Bev Cooks) says
March 5, 2013 at 2:56 pmI just love what you do to me.
Little Kitchie says
March 5, 2013 at 4:28 pmMMMMMM love the flavor combination here!! It's always a good time for quesadillas!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
March 5, 2013 at 5:10 pmI've done this with pizza! It is very good. But right now I have tortillas in the fridge!
Stupid Girl and the Train Wreck says
March 6, 2013 at 12:18 amI love pineapple on Pizza but I never thought of it on Quesadillas or Grilled Cheese Sandwiches for that matter.
Pam says
March 6, 2013 at 4:48 pmI really wish I had the ingredients to make this for lunch today. So drool worthy!
naomi says
March 6, 2013 at 6:27 pmYou are my favorite cook. Period. LOVE this heat and pineapple -always a good combo.
Rocky Mountain Woman says
March 6, 2013 at 9:43 pmI love the spicy fruit combo. I can't wait to try this one…
Plitvice says
March 10, 2013 at 9:02 pmIt looks amazing and taste great as well… 🙂
mountain mama cooks says
March 11, 2013 at 7:47 pmI love it when pineapple goes savory. This looks like oozing deliciousness!
Shari K says
May 29, 2013 at 4:46 pmMy roommates and I were brave yesterday and tried your recipe- instead of bbq (we forgot it at the store) we used a Caribbean-jerk marinade with honey, jalapeno, and cilantro added to it. It was still SO awesome. All 4 of us are firm believers in your blog now!
kevin says
May 29, 2013 at 5:48 pmShari K: I am glad that you enjoyed it! I am going to have to try the jerk marinade version now!
Anonymous says
August 23, 2013 at 3:44 amI discovered this recipe on pinterest a few days ago, immediately put the ingredients on my grocery list and made it today! Holy deliciousness! Thank you!
I wanted to come back to the direct source to say thanks and now that I'm here I can't wait to look around for more inspiration!
kevin says
August 28, 2013 at 5:57 pmAnonymous: I am glad that you enjoyed it and I do hope that you get the chance to try some more of my recipes!
foody schmoody says
March 8, 2014 at 9:38 pmThis looks great. I make a BBQ Chicken Sandwich w/ Grilled Pineapple that has most of the same ingredients. But I'm def. going to try this with a tortilla as the serving vessel. thanks.
David @ Cooking Chat says
March 28, 2014 at 9:01 amThis looks great! I've found grilling the pineapple is a great extra step for flavor in recipes I've done that with. I'd be inclined to try that option here, though I suspect either way would be good!
Chanda says
March 28, 2014 at 7:48 pmMade your recipe for jerk shrimp tacos last night…substituted chicken but followed everything else. AMAZING! Just wondering…with this recipe what brand of BBQ sauce did you use? I don't like most store bought sauces…thanks
Shayne Zalameda says
May 20, 2015 at 7:30 amoh my gosh this looks enticing!!!
Unknown says
March 8, 2016 at 9:08 pmMade this for 2 this past Sunday night. I cooked a large chicken thigh and seasoned with salt, pepper, paprika, onion and garlic powder so it really enhanced the flavor when all the ingredients were combined. Would not recommend a chicken breast. Not nearly as much flavor or as moist. Chicken breasts are way over rated. I doubled the ingredients since this recipe was for only 1 serving and I was cooking for 2. Came out much better than I expected. It was the first time I ever made a quesadilla before. Did a google search on how to do it in the oven because I didn't have a big enough pan for 2 tortillas, and baking is healthier and less caloric than frying. I had some really nice BBQ sauce but felt 4 tbs smothered the other flavors so the next night I only did 3 tbs. Great fusion dish.