Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
Turn up the flavor on dinner with these Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas! (And since the grill is hot, go ahead and grill the ‘dillas, too!)
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So Laura and I were out looking at beds recently. We needed to get a new bed for our guest bedroom, so we took Friday afternoon off to go check out the local furniture stores. (For some reason, taking a 3-year old with us to go bed shopping didn’t sound like my idea of fun. Call me crazy!) The bed part was fairly easy as we found a frame that matched our style. The mattress was where things slowed down a bit.
I’m pretty sure I laid on about 12 mattresses trying to pick one out. To be honest, they almost all felt the same. I mean some were firm and some were soft. But from there it was difficult to pick. We settled on one on the firmer side and went about our way. However, as we were shopping, Laura commented: “What ever happened to water beds?” She’s right. I can’t remember the last time I saw a water bed!
Growing up, my older cousin had a water bed, and I thought it was the coolest thing. He also had Van Halen and Aerosmith posters all over his walls, and his drawers were filled with acid-wash jeans. Ah, the late 80’s…
How did one actually fill a water bed? I never had one, so I have no idea…but I’m kinda imagining running a water hose up the side of the house and into your window. And then crossing your fingers that the thing didn’t spring a leak. You think a leak in the roof is bad? Imagine dumping 200 gallons of water onto your bedroom floor!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
That story about waterbeds doesn’t have much to do with quesadillas, except for the fact that Laura and I made these Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas that night after wandering through furniture stores all afternoon. Talk about delicious! I marinated the chicken overnight in my go-to chicken marinade, and the grill did the rest. Heck, I even opted to toss these ‘dillas on the grill instead of using the large skillet indoors. I mean the grill was already hot, so why not take advantage of it? I take every opportunity I can to stay outside during the summer!
There are a couple of key notes about these Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas. First is the chicken. Plan ahead and marinate it overnight. Just trust me there! And make sure to serve these up with guacamole and tortilla chips. Quesadillas just beg for tortilla chips, and that means guac and salsa are requirements, too.
Oh, and one last piece of advice. When you’re building the quesadillas, make sure to put cheese on the bottom and top of the fillings. The cheese is the “glue” that holds the whole thing together. I almost forgot this piece, but fortunately Laura was in the kitchen and pointed out, “That’s a rookie mistake you’re making there.” She was right. I didn’t want all of my bacon and grilled chicken tumbling out on the grill! Mind you, I still would’ve eaten it, but my Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas would have been Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadilla Salad instead. Happy grilling, my friends!
Did you make these Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)!
Looking for more fun grilling ideas? Check out these other favorites, too:
Grilled Chicken Fajita Kabobs
Grilled Tomato Basil Pizza
Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Burst Tomatoes
Bacon-Wrapped Corn with Honey BBQ Sauce
Grilled Aloha Burger
Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- ⅓ cup lime juice
- ⅓ cup water
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp liquid smoke
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
For the Quesadillas
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1 Tbsp salted butter melted
- ¾ cup prepared ranch dressing plus more for serving
- 8 oz. thick-cut bacon cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1½-2 cups shredded Mexican-blend cheese
- 2 Roma tomatoes diced
- sour cream for serving
- guacamole for serving
Instructions
For the Chicken
- Using a glass baking dish, whisk together all of the ingredients except for chicken breasts. Add chicken breasts, turning several times to coat with marinade. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, preheat grill to medium heat.
- Remove chicken breasts from marinade and grill 10-12 minutes, or until fully cooked. (Note: Discard any excess marinade.)
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before cutting into ½” cubes.
For the Quesadillas
- Reduce heat on grill to medium-low. (Note: These quesadillas can also be made in a large skillet on the stovetop. You’ll likely need to make them in 2 rounds unless you use multiple skillets.)
- Brush one side of the quesadillas with the melted butter. Spread ~3 Tbsp of ranch dressing evenly on top of each tortilla.
- Divide bacon, chopped chicken and cheese evenly between quesadillas. (Note: Layer the fillings on one half of each quesadilla so that they’re easier to fold. Also make sure to put cheese on bottom and top of fillings to help hold quesadillas together as they cook.)
- Grill quesadillas for 2-3 minutes per side, or until cheese has fully melted. Watch them closely as they can burn quickly on the grill!
- Slice quesadillas into wedges and serve with diced tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole and additional ranch dressing.
Haha, that is very true – whatever did happen to water beds!?
I remember sleeping on one only once – it was at a sleepover, and I think the whole night I thought I was on a boat haha. (I was very young!)
These look delicious! I love quesadillas – and chicken and bacon is a fantastic combination.
To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever actually slept on a water bed. I remember sitting on them and the thing sloshing around…but still. Now they’re nowhere to be found! Oh well. In other news, I love a good grilled ‘dilla. Thanks so much, Alexandra!!
Mattress shopping is the worst because how can you really tell how you are going to feel about it in the middle of a store with a bunch of people looking at you? And waterbeds? I had one of those. I can’t even imagine one breaking out onto the floor. I’m basically sweating now thinking about that being my older self, lol. Now, quesadillas? We’re pretty much obsessed with them in our home and this chicken bacon ranch situation has my name all over it! Just pass the guac please! Happy Monday, my friend 🙂
Yes! It feels so odd to lay down on a mattress in the middle of a store for all of 10 seconds and then try to decide. Wait. You had a waterbed!? That’s awesome! And I bet you had some cool Van Halen posters on the wall, too! 🙂
I’m all in the grilled ‘dilla. If you’ve never put your quesadillas on the grill, then stop everything and do it tonight. Seriously! Thanks so much, Dawn!
Hi David! I have a package of boneless, skinless thighs in the frig so I’ll use them and I always have tortillas on hand so all I need to get is some guac and I’ll be ready to roll! I appreciate the addition of bacon in these, you know how I feel about bacon.
When my kids were small we lived in an old farmhouse and we all had waterbeds because the upstairs wasn’t heated and it got really cold up there! Don’t miss that one bit!
Sounds like you are pretty much ready to roll with these grilled ‘dillas, Dorothy! I love how much grilled flavor comes out here…both from the chicken as well as the grilled quesadilla itself.
So that sounds cool that you lived in an old farmhouse, but I can totally see how it would’ve been drafty…especially in Michigan! I’m guessing waterbeds kept it warmer?
I’ve never had a quesadilla with ranch. But it sounds good! Did you know there’s MSG in ranch dressing? My mother is highly allergic, and I started reading labels of what she had in her fridge when I visited. Sheesh. I had no idea it was still around! In any case, great quesadillas. I love the chicken.
Interesting! MSG in ranch dressing? I wonder if that’s all brands? I’ve actually made my own ranch before. It’s not difficult at all, but let’s be real…I don’t always keep homemade dressing in the fridge. Still. You’ve got me wondering now. Either way, this grilled quesadilla definitely deserves a spot on the menu, Mimi. There is so much yummy grill flavor going on here!
These quesadillas made me starving! Love the combination of ingredients — and the ranch is the icing on the cake!
Oh man, a good quesadilla is hard to beat, right? And the grilled flavor really shines through here. This one is so easy, but it’s got so much flavor, too. Thanks, Valentina! 🙂
How did they empty those waterbeds? That even sounds more challenging than filling them! I’ll stick with a regular ol’ mattress! Now about these quesadillas…delicious! I love everything about these! Adding the bacon was a genius move!
I think emptying waterbeds is just one of those things that make you go hmmm. I’m pretty sure I would make a gigantic mess out of that project. Hah! I’ll just stick to making (and eating) these grilled quesadillas. These are so tasty, Kathy!
I really dread the next time I have to go mattress shopping…not sure if a new one could ever beat my current one lol! Also I am obsessed with the flavor combo of chicken bacon and ranch – stuff it inside a quesadilla and stick a fork in me, I’M DONE! Love this!
Let me tell ya…mattress shopping was not near as exciting as I hoped it would be. Haha! My advice: stick with the current one as long as you can! In other news, though, I highly suggest putting this ‘dilla on the grill. And soon! It’s seriously tasty. Thanks so much for stopping by, Haylie!!
What? I’m sure that all 3 year olds would love bed shopping. 😉
These quesadillas look amazing, David! I could seriously eat them every week!
Oh, I’m sure that a certain 3 year old would’ve loved mattress shopping. I’m not so sure that said 3 year old’s parents would’ve loved that idea, though. Haha! Thanks so much, Marissa!
LOL mattress shopping! I remember that. We landed up buying a seriously expensive one and not regretting cause I really need that rest 😀
We are big on quesadilla and this one will be my son’s fav, you got chicken, bacon and ranch (his fav thing to add in every food)
Happy 4th July!
I hear ya, Kankana. Mattresses can get to be pretty expensive, but then again you want a good one since you sleep on it every single night. I’m glad we got that chore out of the way! In other news, this quesadilla is SO tasty. I love that the whole thing can be made on the grill. So much grill flavor going on here. Thanks!
Happy 4th right back at ya, my friend!
Didn’t want to shop with a 3yo… yeah I totally get that! However I could easily see my boys eat these quesadillas up. Delicious chicken, bacon and ranch, what’s not to like!
Man, shopping with a 3 year old immediately doubles the amount of time it takes. At least. Perhaps triples. But I know you get that! I say stay home and grill up some quesadillas instead! There is so much grilled flavor packed into these, Matt. Thanks so much, my friend!
I’ve never had a water bed, and I don’t know how this thing wor either. And honestly I forgot such thing did exist in the past, too. But I 100% agree on that I would probably avoid keeping it on the second floor, just in case 🙂
Now, there quesadillas. That’s real business, David. Chicken, bacon, and cheese? What does anyone need to make it better? Perhaps, nothing – it’s perfect!
Yeah, I wonder how many times water beds sprung a leak only to empty out completely from the 2nd floor down to the 1st. I’m guessing that happened on more than one occasion. Let’s just stick with grilling quesadillas, ok? These grilled ‘dillas have so.much.flavor! Thanks, Ben!
David, these look so good! Love all the flavors – the bacon and ranch must be awesome! My kids would devour these.
Water beds are quite the blast from the past. I haven’t even heard of one for years!
Hey Kelly! These quesadillas are packed with so much grilled flavor. Hard to beat dinner when you can cook it completely on the grill, right? Also, what did happen to all those water beds? Is there a warehouse full of ’em somewhere? Hah!
That is such a good question. I asked myself that the other day! Were water beds even comfortable!?
You know, I bet water beds were comfy when you first climbed in…but I also suspect they weren’t too comfy by the time you woke up the next morning. Who knows! Either way, thanks so much for stopping by and commenting, Ambar!
Water beds? Ha ha, I’d completely forgotten about those! These quesadillas look amazing David! I hope you and the family are all enjoying the long holiday weekend there. Happy belated 4th July!
Tell me about it! Water beds just fell off the face off the earth it seems like. I wonder if you could still find them somewhere…hmmmm. Either way, thanks so much for the comment, Neil. Hope you guys had a great weekend, too! 🙂
We went mattress shopping before we moved into the new place and finally got fed up and ordered one online from tuft and needle and love it! And speaking of love, wow – chicken + bacon in grilled quesadillas with cheese “glue” – what’s not to love about these???
Interesting! I would be nervous about ordering a mattress online. As strange as it is to lay on a mattress in the middle of a store, I think I still need to lay on one to see how it feels. Call me old school like that! Either way, thanks so much for the kind words, Shashi. These grilled quesadillas are a go-to around our house!