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Pollo Asado Quesadillas Rellenas (Chipotle Copycat)

Crispy, gooey cheese paired with fajitas and perfectly seasoned chicken, all wrapped up in a crispy flour quesadillas rellenas.

Side view of Pollo Asado quesadillas rellenas (Chipotle Copycat) stacked on a white plate

Why Quesadillas Rellenas Work

  • Make Chipotle at home in less than 15 minutes.
  • A fun way to transform leftovers.
  • Perfect for meal planning.

What Are Mexican Quesadillas Rellenas? 

Quesadillas rellenas, also known as stuffed quesadillas, are a total game-changer! While regular quesadillas are good, stuffed quesadillas take things to a new level.

The filling is generously layered, and the quesadilla is folded over and then grilled to perfection for a deliciously gooey finish.

side shot of stack of quesadillas rellenas

What Is In A Quesadilla Rellena?

Quesadillas rellenas can be filled with shredded chicken or cubes of pollo asado, fajitas, and melting queso, like this copycat Chipotle chicken quesadillas, and veggie fillings like queso, beans, and fajitas.

Try any of these fillings in your next quesadilla:

The Ingredients

  • Flour Tortillas – Large flour tortillas
  • Mexican Blend – Shredded Asadero Cheese Mix
  • Fajitas – Cooked red onions and green bell peppers
  • Pollo Asado – Triple-seasoned pan-seared chicken thighs

If you’re a fan of Chipotle’s carne asada, you can easily recreate the same delicious flavors using the seasonings in this pollo asado recipe.

And if you’re having a hard time deciding between Barbacoa and Carnitas, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Check out my quick comparison guide: Barbacoa vs Carnitas Chipotle: The Showdown.

Side shot of Chipotle Pollo Asado Quesadillas Rellenas Copycat Recipe

The Best Queso For Quesadillas

If you’re a fan of queso like I am, you know that the best kind is the kind that melts and becomes stretchy. When it comes to authentic Mexican quesadillas, the go-to cheese is either chihuahua or Oaxaca.

If you haven’t tried Oaxaca cheese, it’s similar to mozzarella but has a denser texture and stretchier consistency, making it perfect for cheesy goodness.

Another excellent blend is shredded asadero cheese and melty cheeses like monterey jack, sharp cheddar, and queso blanco. It melts like a dream and is perfect for nachos, nacho cheese sauce, and tortillas.

What To Serve With Quesadilla Rellena?

Serve with fresh sour cream or this sour cream Pollo Tropical-inspired cilantro garlic sauce made with cilantro, garlic, lime, and a hint of vinegar. It’s so perfect with quesadillas.

Quesadillas can be served with a side of lettuce, rice, corn salsa, and mild salsa.

Side view of quesadillas rellenas with cilantro lime sauce

A Mexican Spread Using All The Same Ingredients

If you’re planning to serve food for a big group or meal, consider using the same ingredients in different ways. Here are some ideas that allow you to use the same ingredients and offer more options:

  • Enchiladas
  • Burritos
  • Bowls with tortillas on the side

See Below for Detailed Instructions


The Right Equipment For This Recipe

Here’s What You’ll Need

  • 1 Large Stainless Steel Pan – to get a super melty finish
  • 1 Small Stainless Steel Pan
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef or Pairing Knife
  • 1 Small Bowl – for the cheese
  • 1 Cheese Grater
  • 1 Spatula

The Secret To Chipotle’s Quesadillas

The secret to making Chipotle’s quesadilla lies in the folding and melting technique. The quesadilla is first wrapped in aluminum foil and then pressed onto a hot surface, creating a perfectly crispy and melty dish.

This is magical because it keeps the cheese and other ingredients from falling out. And the cheese melts so beautifully without burning the flour tortilla.

Instructions For Quick, Melty Quesadillas

Step One – Preheat The Pan

Preheat a stainless steel pan on low to medium heat.

Layer cheese, chicken, and fajitas in the middle of the flour tortilla.

Add a second layer of cheese for a stuffed and extra cheesy quesadilla (optional but highly recommended).

Step Two – Fold The Quesadilla

Fold two halves over, then fold the bottom and upper half.

Step Three – Wrap The Quesadilla

To get a crispy finish on your quesadilla and extra melted cheese, wrap it in aluminum foil.

Step Four – Place It On The Preheated Pan, and Press

Place it on a pan, then grab a smaller pan and press down on it for 15 seconds on each side. I tested this recipe a few times, and the first time, my pan was too hot, and it burned the flour tortilla.

Low to medium heat is ideal for roughly 15-30 seconds on each side.

To test and check for a golden color, open the aluminum foil and take a peek.

Step Five

Remove the wrapped quesadilla from the pan once you have a beautiful golden color and crisp on the flour tortilla (roughly a minute)

Step Six

Cut the quesadilla diagonally and serve with a side of this delicious 10-minute cilantro garlic sauce recipe inspired by Pollo Tropical.


Top Tips For Cheesy Quesadillas Rellenas

I discovered some helpful tips while testing this recipe that resulted in the most delicious quesadillas I’ve ever made!

  1. If you plan to make some delicious quesadillas, I’d highly recommend using a blend of Asadero cheese and other melting cheeses. Trust me, it’ll make all the difference in flavor and texture!
  2. Wrapping the quesadilla in aluminum foil allows the cheese to melt evenly all the way through.

Storage

To keep your quesadillas fresh and tasty for up to 3 days, wrap them in parchment paper and store them in an airtight glass container in the fridge.

Reheating

Preheat a pan on low to medium heat and place quesadillas on the pan. Cover to melt cheese and heat for 30 seconds to a minute.

Side shot of chicken quesadillas

side shot of stack of quesadillas rellenas

Pollo Asado Quesadillas Rellenas (Chipotle Copycat)

Olga Muñoz
Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish, Tapas
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • 1 Large Stainless Steel Pan
  • 1 Small Stainless Steel Pan
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Chef or Pairing Knife
  • 1 Small Bowl
  • 1 Cheese grater
  • 1 Spatula

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups Diced Pollo Asado Adjust as needed
  • 1.5 cups Fajitas Adjust as needed
  • 1.5 cups Asader Cheese Blend Adjust as needed
  • 6 Flour Tortillas

Instructions
 

  • Step One – Preheat The Pan
    Preheat a stainless steel pan on low to medium heat.
    Place layers of cheese, chicken (pollo asado), and sauteed fajita vegetables in the center of a flour tortilla.
    Tip: Add a second layer of cheese for a stuffed and extra cheesy quesadilla (optional but highly recommended).
    Overhead shot of Ingredients for quesadillas rellenas
  • Step Two – Fold The Quesadilla
    Fold two halves over, then fold the bottom and upper half.
    Overhead shot of Folding quesadillas rellenas
  • Step Three – Wrap The Quesadilla
    To get a crispy finish on your quesadilla and extra melted cheese, wrap it in aluminum foil.
    Overhead shot of quesadillas rellenas in aluminum foil
  • Step Four – Place It On The Preheated Pan, And Press
    Place it on a pan, then grab a smaller pan and press down on it for 15 seconds on each side. I tested this recipe a few times, and the first time, my pan was too hot, and it burned the flour tortilla.
    Low to medium heat is ideal for roughly 15-30 seconds on each side.
    To test and check for a golden color, open the aluminum foil and take a peek.
    Side shot of Pressed quesadllias in aluminum
  • Step Five
    Remove the wrapped quesadilla from the pan once you have a beautiful golden color and crisp on the flour tortilla (roughly a minute)
    Overhead shot of Pressed quesadillas rellenas
  • Step Six
    Cut the quesadilla diagonally and serve.
    Side shot of chicken quesadillas

Notes

Top Tips For Cheesy Quesadillas Rellenas

  1. If you’re planning to make some delicious quesadillas, I’d highly recommend using a blend of Asadero cheese and other melting cheeses. Trust me, it’ll make all the difference in flavor and texture!
  2. Wrapping the quesadilla in aluminum foil allows the cheese to melt evenly through. Caution: the aluminum gets hot pretty quickly.
Keyword chicken quesadilla, chipotle pollo asado quesadillas, pollo quesadillas rellenas, quesadillas rellenas
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I was shocked. This quesadilla tastes just like Chipotle’s quesadillas. Do you have the recipe for their sour cream and red sauce?

    1. Thank you for your comment! I love the combination of their red sauce and sour cream. I’ll definitely add it to the list. So glad you enjoyed the quesadillas rellenas!

  2. 5 stars
    I enjoyed the quesadillas with perfectly melted cheese. I made them for lunch and reheated in the small toaster oven at work. They turned out great!

5 from 2 votes

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