These sheet pan quesadillas are the ultimate weeknight shortcut — crispy, golden tortillas stuffed with seasoned chicken, black beans, corn, and a melty blend of Monterey Jack and sharp cheddar, all baked at once in one pan. No flipping, no babysitting the stove, and no messy cleanup. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or hosting a casual get-together, this method delivers perfectly crisped, evenly melted quesadillas in under 35 minutes with almost zero effort.
Rimmed half sheet pan (18x13 inch) - Essential for this recipe; the rim holds all layers in place
Parchment paper - Or aluminum foil for lining the sheet pan
Large mixing bowl - For combining the filling ingredients
Cutting board and chef's knife - For dicing vegetables
Measuring cups and spoons
Cast iron or heavy skillet - (optional) For sautéing the vegetables before adding to filling
Pizza cutter or sharp knife - For slicing the finished quesadilla into portions
Flat spatula - For lifting slices cleanly from the pan
Oven mitts
Ingredients
For the Quesadilla
4large flour tortillas - 10-inch / 25 cm burrito-size; divided into 2 for bottom layer and 2 for top layer
2cupsshredded Monterey Jack cheese - 225 g; divided, half for bottom layer and half for top
1cupshredded sharp cheddar cheese - 115 g
2cupscooked chicken breast - 280 g; shredded or diced; rotisserie chicken works great
1can (15 oz)black beans - 425 g; drained and rinsed
1cupcorn kernels - 150 g; fresh, frozen and thawed, or canned and drained
1mediumred bell pepper - diced small
1/2mediumred onion - finely diced
1jalapeño - seeded and minced; optional, for heat
Seasonings
2tsptaco seasoning - 5 g
1tspgarlic powder - 3 g
1/2tspsmoked paprika - 1 g
salt and black pepper - to taste
2tbspolive oil - 30 ml; or cooking spray
For Serving
fresh cilantro - for garnish
sour cream - for serving
salsa - for serving
guacamole - for serving
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line an 18x13 inch (46x33 cm) rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly brush or spray with olive oil.
Heat 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced red bell pepper, red onion, and jalapeño (if using) and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, then season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and sautéed vegetables. Add the taco seasoning, garlic powder, and smoked paprika and stir until evenly combined.
Lay 2 large flour tortillas on the prepared sheet pan, overlapping slightly in the center to cover the full surface. Press them flat against the parchment paper.
Sprinkle 1 cup (112 g) of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the bottom tortillas, spreading it all the way to the edges to help seal in the filling.
Distribute the chicken and vegetable filling evenly over the cheese layer, spreading to the edges and keeping the layer about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thick. Press down lightly with a spatula to compact.
Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup (112 g) of Monterey Jack and all of the sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the filling.
Lay the remaining 2 flour tortillas over the cheese, overlapping slightly in the center, then brush the tops with olive oil. Press a second sheet pan firmly on top for 10 to 15 seconds to compact the layers.
Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 10 minutes, remove the top sheet pan if used, then bake for another 8 to 10 minutes until the top is golden brown and the cheese is fully melted and bubbling at the edges.
Let the quesadilla rest for 3 to 5 minutes before using a pizza cutter to slice into squares or triangles. Serve immediately with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and fresh cilantro.
Notes
Don't overfill — keep the filling layer to about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) thick to ensure clean slices and a crispy result.
Pat canned beans and corn dry with a paper towel before adding to the filling; excess moisture leads to soggy quesadillas.
Use large burrito-size flour tortillas (10 inch / 25 cm) — corn tortillas are too small and tend to crack under the weight of the filling.
Always brush the top tortilla with olive oil before baking; this is what creates the golden-brown, crispy surface.
Pressing the layers together with a second sheet pan before baking keeps everything compact and makes the quesadilla much easier to slice cleanly.
Let the baked quesadilla rest for 3 to 5 minutes before cutting so the cheese can set and the filling stays in place.
Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving swap for the cooked chicken breast — it adds extra flavor and requires no prep.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8 to 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, place in a zip-top freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and double the black beans or add sautéed mushrooms and zucchini — the same seasoning blend works perfectly.