This sheet pan quesadillas recipe is made with chicken, black beans, rice, taco seasoning and cheese then baked in the oven. It’s easy to make, flavorful and crowd-pleasing!
More family favorite Mexican recipes include this tostada recipe, best cheese enchiladas and taco pockets!
Table of Contents
Chicken Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Easy sheet pan quesadillas, like all sheet pan dinners, are a convenient and effortless way to serve a crowd. This giant baked quesadilla is one of my favorites for casual parties and easy weeknight dinners!
It’s loaded with chicken, beans, rice, and taco seasoning for a Mexican-inspired favorite, but you can customize it how you like! Serve this sheet pan quesadilla recipe alongside buffalo chicken dip, soft pretzel bites, and baked spinach artichoke dip for an unforgettable Super Bowl spread!
Why This Recipe Works
- Easy. Instead of making individual quesadillas and worrying about flipping them, we’re using multiple wraps to make one giant one that doesn’t require flipping halfway!
- Versatile. Sheet pan quesadillas can be made with all kinds of fillings. Next time turn leftover bbq pulled pork into pork quesadillas into a sheet pan dinner.
- Budget-friendly. Nothing in this recipe is pricey. It’s especially great if you’re using up leftover rice and beans or leftover chicken.
Recipe Ingredients
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Rotisserie chicken: Leftover shredded chicken breast or store-bought shredded rotisserie chicken can be used. This is all about convenience, so do whatever works.
- Rice: Pre-cooked rice will make this easier. You can use leftovers, make it ahead of time, or if you have some extra time, cilantro lime rice has impressive flavor.
- Black beans: Drained and rinsed canned beans are great. Pinto beans can be used in place of black beans.
- Salsa: I have a delicious homemade restaurant style salsa recipe worth using!
- Taco seasoning: I also have a blend of homemade taco seasoning you should try. Make lots and have it when you need it.
- Shredded cheese: Colby jack or mozzarella are flavorful cheeses that melt beautifully.
- Flour tortillas: If you’re using a 12×15 baking sheet like I am, you can fit about 8-10 regular-sized or large flour tortillas. Basically what you’d use for burrito size.
- Optional Toppings: guacamole, pico de gallo, roasted salsa, black olives, sour cream, red onions, sliced avocado, cilantro lime crema, or cilantro. Extra cheese is never a bad idea either!
Substitutions and Variations
- Add some extra veggies like bell peppers, corn, mushrooms, etc. You can even make it vegetarian by removing the meat and ramping up the veggies and beans. Sauteed fajita veggies are delicious!
- Swap the shredded chicken in these sheet pan quesadillas for pulled pork or try ground beef for taco meat.
- If you don’t have taco seasoning, you can also use any of the following; chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, and even ground cumin.
- You can use a different cheese or a combination of a few. Cheddar cheese, Monterey jack, or pepper jack would be yummy.
How to Make Sheet Pan Quesadillas
- Arrange tortillas. Place room temperature tortillas around the edge of a sprayed 12-15 baking sheet with half of each tortilla hanging over the edge. Overlapping is just fine, in fact, it’ll hold together better that way. If the center of the pan is showing, cover the space with a couple of extra tortilla wraps.
- Add a layer of cheese. First, you’ll sprinkle half of the shredded cheese in an even layer overtop the layered shells.
- Combine filling ingredients. Then, combine chicken, rice, beans, salsa, and taco seasoning in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Add a layer of this chicken mixture overtop the cheese. Make sure to spread it evenly across the surface.
- Add a second layer of cheese. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese. Again, make sure it’s evenly dispersed.
- Close up the quesadilla. Now, fold the overhanging sides of the tortilla over the filling. If there is any filling peeking through, add 1 or 2 tortillas in the center of the filling, overlapping each other. You can also place 1 or 2 tortillas in the center first before folding the overhanging sides.
- Bake and serve. Spray the top of folded tortillas with nonstick cooking spray or and season with a little salt on top. Place a second baking sheet overtop to press it down and bake in a preheated 400ºF oven for 20 minutes before removing the top sheet and baking for an additional 5-10 minutes. Once golden brown, remove it from the oven and top it with your favorite quesadilla toppings!
Expert Tips
- Use a rimmed baking sheet. It’s easier to contain the sheet pan quesadillas and if for some reason some of the filling starts to fall out it’ll hold that too.
- Don’t skip using a top pan. The reason for this is so that it bakes together, but also so that it heats up and browns both sides evenly.
- Add some heat. You can add some green chiles or diced jalapeno to the filling for a spicy kick.
- Allow it to cool slightly. The filling will be hot, so remember to leave it sitting for a few minutes. It’s also better to wait a few minutes before slicing.
Recipe FAQs
No matter what kind you choose, shredding it fresh from a block of cheese rather than buying pre-shredded will always melt better. Pre-shredded cheese comes with a coating that prevents the cheese from clumping together, which in the end, prevents it from melting as well.
I don’t recommend it, only because corn tortillas are more petite, thicker, and less flexible than flour shells.
Sure! Ground beef or Instant Pot shredded beef, ground turkey, pork or even shrimp could be used instead.
The giant quesadilla ends up in one big rectangle, so I like to slice it into squares using a sharp knife or a pizza cutter. You can use kitchen shears as well. That way people can just pick it up with their hands and dip it into some salsa or sour cream!
Wait until the cheese has cooled a bit, otherwise, it’ll be a little messy to cut into.
Keep leftover easy sheet pan quesadillas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or the air fryer to get it to crisp up a bit again.
Need more easy sheet pan meals to serve a crowd? Try sheet pan chicken fajitas, sheet pan chicken nachos, or easy sheet pan pizza!
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Sheet Pan Quesadillas
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups rotisserie chicken , shredded
- 1 cup rice
- 1 cup black beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 Tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt and pepper , to taste
- 1-2 cups shredded cheese (colby jack or mozzarella)
- 8-10 flour tortillas
Optional toppings: Pico de gallo, Cilantro, Sliced olives, Sliced avocado or guacamole
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Spray a 12×15 baking sheet with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the chicken, rice, beans, salsa and taco seasoning. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place tortillas around the edge of the baking sheet, with half hanging over the side, and overlapping with one another. If any baking sheet is showing in the center, cover with tortillas.
- Spread the chicken filling evenly onto the tortillas. Sprinkle cheese over the top. Place 1 to 2 tortillas in the center of the filling. Fold the overhanging sides of the tortilla over the filling, making sure no filling is showing. Spray the top with nonstick spray. Sprinkle with salt if desired.
- Place a separate baking sheet on top of the tortillas to press down. Bake 20 minutes. Remove the top baking sheet and cook an additional 5-10 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing into pieces. Top with pico de gallo or your favorite toppings to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: Chicken, Cinco De Mayo, Dinner, Mexican, Nut-Free, Sheet Pan, Super Bowl
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
This turned out so good! Easy, too! My gas oven runs a little hot so will bake a little less time next but kids said crunchy was good.
This is genius!! I had all of the ingredients on hand and was amazed at how easily it all came together. Very yummy and the family loved it. Adding this into my regular rotation for sure!
This is now one of our favorite recipes for snacks! We love that it is budget-friendly, the ingredients are easy to find and it can easily feed a crowd.
This is brilliant! I make quesadillas at least once a month, and it’s such a pain in the butt standing over the stove top just doing one at a time. I loved this so much!! Never going back!
Yes! A much easier option! Glad you enjoyed!