If you're craving a cozy, flavor-packed meal that comes together quickly, I've got just the thing for you. This Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekends when you want something both comforting and exciting. The sweet heat from the hot honey glaze combined with melty cheese and tender chicken makes every bite a total delight.
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In the Kitchen
I love this Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe because it balances sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors in such a satisfying way, yet it’s surprisingly easy to pull off. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a hungry family, it delivers consistent juiciness and a golden, crispy finish every time.
- Juicy and Tender Every Time: Coating the shredded chicken in a mix of BBQ sauce, honey, and hot sauce locks in moisture and flavor.
- Golden, Satisfying Finish: Cooking the quesadillas on medium heat lets the tortillas crisp perfectly without burning before the cheese melts.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Using staples like cheddar, mozzarella, and fresh veggies amps up texture and layers of taste.
- Weeknight to Weekend Ready: This recipe is flexible—great for a solo dinner or scaled up for a game-day spread.
Ingredients at a Glance
Choosing quality ingredients really shines through here. I always recommend picking fresh vegetables and good BBQ sauce—you’ll notice the difference in flavor and texture. It’s the kind of recipe where simple upgrades add up beautifully.
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great for convenience and tenderness.
- BBQ Sauce: Pick one you love—the smokier the better for that authentic kick.
- Honey: Use raw or local honey if possible for a richer sweetness.
- Hot Sauce: Adjust to your heat tolerance; a dash or two goes a long way.
- Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly shredded melts best and gives nice creaminess.
- Flour Tortillas: Large size makes folding easier and holds the filling perfectly.
- Olive Oil: For sautéing veggies, adds a subtle fruity note.
- Red Onions and Bell Peppers: These add a fragrant sweetness and a bit of crunch.
- Fresh Cilantro: Stirred in at the end for a bright pop of freshness.
- Sour Cream and Guacamole (optional): Creamy sides that complement the spicy-sweet quesadillas beautifully.
Heads-Up: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Step 1 — Coat the Chicken in Hot Honey BBQ Sauce
Start by mixing your shredded cooked chicken with BBQ sauce, honey, and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Stir everything until the chicken is evenly coated with that glossy, spicy-sweet mixture. This step is key to infusing the meat with flavor and keeping it moist for the quesadilla filling. I usually taste a tiny bit here just to tweak the heat level to my liking.
Step 2 — Sauté the Veggies Until Tender and Slightly Caramelized
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add sliced red onions and chopped bell peppers. Cook them gently for about 5 minutes until they soften and develop a sweet caramelized edge. Season with salt and pepper—this adds brightness and crunch to cut through the rich cheese and chicken. A little patience here makes a big difference.
Step 3 — Assemble Your Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Lay one flour tortilla flat on your workspace. Sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella over half of the tortilla—don’t skimp on the cheese! Next, spread a generous layer of your saucy chicken, followed by the sautéed veggies. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for an herbal lift. Then fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling, pressing gently so everything holds together.
Step 4 — Cook Until Crisp and Cheese Melts to Gooey Perfection
Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat and carefully place your folded quesadilla on it. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side. Watch for a toasty golden brown crust and that irresistible aroma of melting cheese. Flip gently with a spatula so nothing spills out. This cooking step seals in the moisture while crisping up the tortilla beautifully.
Step 5 — Let Cool Slightly Before Slicing and Serving
Once cooked, transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board and give it a few minutes to firm up—this helps the cheese set an ideal texture for slicing. Cut into wedges and serve warm, alongside some cool sour cream and creamy guacamole if you like. I find these add the perfect balance to the spicy-sweet heat.
Things to Remember
From my kitchen to yours, these little tips will help you nail the perfect Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe every time without stress or surprises.
- Doneness Cue: Look for a deep golden crust on the tortillas and melted cheese oozing slightly at the edges.
- Temperature Trick: Medium heat works best—too high burns the tortillas before the cheese melts.
- Make-Ahead Move: Prepare the chicken mixture and sautéed veggies ahead and assemble just before cooking.
- Common Pitfall: Overstuffing the quesadilla can make flipping tricky and lead to filling spills.
Ways to Serve It
Finishing Touches
A drizzle of extra hot honey over the top right before serving amps up the sweet and spicy vibe. Fresh lime wedges on the side brighten every bite, and a sprinkle of finely chopped cilantro adds a fresh herbal note that always delights. Don’t forget a dollop of sour cream or cool guacamole to balance the heat and bring a creamy contrast you’ll appreciate.
Plays Well With
I like to serve these quesadillas with a simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or some crunchy tortilla chips with salsa for extra texture. For a heartier meal, a side of Mexican street corn or black bean salad pairs beautifully, adding smoky and fresh elements that make your meal feel complete.
Simple Plating Upgrades
For a quick upgrade, stack a couple quesadilla wedges fan-style on a bright plate and sprinkle with chopped cilantro and a few ribbons of thinly sliced red onion. A small ramekin of dipping sauce on the side not only adds color but invites everyone to dig in with enthusiasm—perfect for casual dinners or small gatherings.
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Storing Leftovers
Use an airtight container to keep leftover quesadillas fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. They'll hold their texture well, but the tortilla might soften slightly overnight. I find storing them flat, separated by parchment paper, helps avoid sticking.
Freezing Tips
These quesadillas freeze excellently. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place in a freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Though freezing might slightly soften the tortilla, reheating crisply fixes it.
Reheating Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe Without Drying Out
The best way to reheat without drying out is in a skillet over low heat—cover it with a lid to melt the cheese through. You can also use an air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes for a crisp edge. If you opt for the microwave, zap for 30 seconds and then crisp in a hot, dry pan briefly for texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Using leftover or rotisserie chicken is perfect—it saves time and the meat tends to be tender and flavorful, which works wonderfully with the hot honey BBQ sauce.
The heat level mainly comes from the hot sauce and honey combination. You can easily tone it down or up by adjusting the hot sauce quantity to your preference, making it as mild or spicy as you like.
Good melting cheeses like Monterey Jack, Colby, or even a bit of pepper jack add great flavor and texture. Mixing two kinds helps balance meltiness and flavor.
Yes! Swap the flour tortillas for gluten-free or corn tortillas, just be mindful they might be a bit more fragile when folding and cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe has become one of my go-to dishes when I want something that feels indulgent but requires minimal fuss. The blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors combined with melty cheese and crisped tortillas always wins over friends and family. Once you make it a couple of times, you’ll have your favorite tweaks and can confidently whip it up whenever the craving strikes. Give it a try—you might just find a new favorite in your meal rotation.
PrintFull Printable Recipe
Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas combine tender shredded chicken coated in a flavorful blend of BBQ sauce, honey, and hot sauce with sautéed onions and bell peppers. Melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese inside warm, crispy flour tortillas make them a perfect spicy and sweet main course that's quick and satisfying for any occasion.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
Vegetables and Extras
- ½ cup sliced red onions
- ½ cup chopped bell peppers (any color)
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese and Tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 large flour tortillas
Cooking and Serving
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Sour cream and guacamole for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, honey, and hot sauce. Stir until the chicken is well coated and set aside.
- Sauté the vegetables: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and chopped bell peppers. Sauté until soft and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat.
- Assemble the quesadilla: Lay one flour tortilla flat. Sprinkle a layer of cheddar and mozzarella cheese over half of the tortilla. Add a layer of the BBQ chicken mixture, followed by the sautéed onions and peppers. Top with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Fold the tortilla: Fold the tortilla in half over the filling to create a half-moon shape.
- Cook the quesadilla: Heat a clean skillet or griddle to medium heat. Place the folded quesadilla on the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese has melted inside.
- Finish and serve: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it cool slightly before cutting into wedges. Repeat the assembling and cooking process with the remaining tortillas and filling. Serve warm with sour cream and guacamole if desired.
Notes
- Adjust hot sauce amount to control spiciness according to your preference.
- You can substitute flour tortillas with whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas if desired.
- For a smoky flavor, use smoked cheddar or add a pinch of smoked paprika to the chicken mixture.
- Leftover quesadillas can be reheated in a skillet or air fryer to retain crispiness.
- Add sliced jalapeños for extra heat inside the quesadilla if preferred.
- Use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for faster preparation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
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