Both “quesadilla de pollo” and “quesadilla con pollo” are correct ways to say chicken quesadilla in Spanish, with subtle differences in literal meaning and usage.
Most people assume the word quesadilla has always meant a folded tortilla stuffed with cheese and fillings. But the original Spanish version was actually a pastry made with cheese, not the savory Mexican staple you grab from a food truck.
That history leads to some confusion when you’re trying to order. The phrase you want is simpler than you think: quesadilla de pollo or quesadilla con pollo both work. This article breaks down the differences between the two, shows you sample sentences, and helps you order with confidence.
The Two Main Translations
The most direct way to say “chicken quesadilla” in Spanish is quesadilla de pollo (quesadilla of chicken). This is the translation you’ll see on most restaurant menus across Latin America and Spain.
A close alternative is quesadilla con pollo (quesadilla with chicken). The difference is tiny but worth knowing: de implies the chicken is part of the dish’s identity, while con simply adds chicken as an ingredient.
Both are widely understood. Choose whichever rolls off your tongue more naturally when you’re ordering.
Why The Word “Quesadilla” Can Be Confusing
The name traces back to the Spanish word quesada, a cheese pastry from medieval Spain. The suffix -illa means “small,” so quesadilla literally translates to “little cheese pastry.”
That history explains why some people mistakenly think the word has nothing to do with tortillas. In Mexico, the dish evolved into the corn or flour tortilla version we know today, and the name stuck even though the filling expanded beyond cheese.
- The original Spanish dish: Quesadilla once referred to a baked pie or tart made with cheese, not a folded tortilla.
- The Mexican adaptation: When the dish crossed the Atlantic, it took on a new form — a griddled tortilla filled with cheese and other ingredients like chicken, beans, or vegetables.
- Feminine gender: Quesadilla is a feminine noun, so it always uses the article la (la quesadilla).
- Common misspelling: “Quesidilla” is a frequent error — the correct spelling is always quesadilla with an “a” after the “s.”
- Regional variation: In some northern Mexican states, a quesadilla without cheese is still called a quesadilla; in most of Mexico, cheese is considered essential.
Putting Quesadilla De Pollo Into Practice
When you’re ready to use the phrase, start with the standard construction: Quesadilla De Pollo. This is the form that appears on SpanishDict’s translation entries and sample sentences.
For example, “Leonard ate a huge chicken quesadilla for lunch” becomes Leonard comió una enorme quesadilla de pollo para el almuerzo. The de here links the main ingredient directly to the dish name.
If you want to emphasize the chicken as one ingredient among others, use con pollo. A sentence like “I want a chicken quesadilla with cheese” translates to Quiero una quesadilla con pollo y queso.
| Translation | Literal Meaning | Best Used When |
|---|---|---|
| Quesadilla de pollo | “Quesadilla of chicken” | Chicken is the main or only filling |
| Quesadilla con pollo | “Quesadilla with chicken” | Chicken is one of several ingredients |
| Quesadilla de pollo y queso | “Quesadilla of chicken and cheese” | You want both chicken and cheese specified |
| Quesadilla con pollo y verduras | “Quesadilla with chicken and vegetables” | You’re adding vegetables to the order |
| Quesadilla de pollo sin queso | “Quesadilla of chicken without cheese” | You need to specify no cheese (rare in Mexico but useful elsewhere) |
Notice how de and con are interchangeable in many contexts — both are accepted by native speakers. The choice often comes down to personal preference or regional habit.
3 Tips For Ordering Chicken Quesadillas in Spanish
A few practical pointers will help you sound natural when you’re in a restaurant or cooking at home with a Spanish recipe.
- Use “de pollo” for a standard order: Most menus will list it as quesadilla de pollo. Stick with this unless you have a specific reason to say con.
- Remember the feminine article: Always say la quesadilla — not el. If you’re ordering multiple, it’s las quesadillas de pollo.
- Know your cheese words: If you want to specify the cheese, use queso (cheese). For example, quesadilla de pollo con queso Oaxaca if you want Oaxaca cheese specifically.
Regional Variations and Similar Dishes
Across the Spanish-speaking world, the concept of a quesadilla varies. In Mexico, it’s almost always a tortilla folded over cheese and grilled. In Spain, you might find baked pastry versions sold in bakeries.
The Glosbe translation list shows both la quesadilla con pollo and la quesadilla de pollo as top results, confirming that these two forms are the standard across dictionaries. If you see a Glosbe translation list entry, you’ll notice the same pattern: de is slightly more common in written menus, while con appears more in spoken orders where people list ingredients.
Other dishes that follow the same naming logic include tacos de pollo (chicken tacos), burrito de pollo, and enchiladas de pollo. Once you learn the pattern, you can apply it to almost any filled dish.
| Spanish Phrase | English Equivalent |
|---|---|
| La quesadilla de pollo | The chicken quesadilla |
| Una quesadilla con pollo | A chicken quesadilla (with chicken) |
| Quesadilla de pollo con queso | Chicken and cheese quesadilla |
The Bottom Line
You have two perfectly acceptable options when asking for a chicken quesadilla in Spanish. Quesadilla de pollo is the more standard form for menus and written recipes. Quesadilla con pollo works just as well, especially if you’re listing chicken as one of several ingredients.
If you’re learning Spanish to order confidently at taquerías or to follow recipes from Mexico, practicing the pronunciation with a native speaker or a certified Spanish teacher (DELE or ACTFL-certified) can make the difference between stumbling and sounding like a local.