Get ready to meet your new favorite meal. These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, savory, and cheesy, all packed into a perfectly crispy tortilla. This recipe is incredibly easy to make, delivering a restaurant-quality experience right from your own kitchen. It’s the ultimate answer to a busy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
We’re taking simple ingredients and turning them into something spectacular. The star is the irresistible hot honey BBQ sauce, which coats tender shredded chicken for a truly unforgettable filling. Let’s dive in and make a meal that’s guaranteed to be a hit!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
There are so many reasons this recipe will become a staple in your meal rotation. Here’s why we can’t get enough of it:
- Incredibly Flavorful: The balance of spicy sriracha, sweet honey, and tangy BBQ sauce creates a bold and addictive flavor profile.
- Quick and Easy: Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes this a true 30-minute meal, perfect for those hectic weeknights.
- Perfectly Textured: We’ll show you how to get those tortillas golden and crispy, with a gooey, cheesy center that pulls apart beautifully.
- Completely Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like corn, beans, or bacon to make it your own. For a different but equally cheesy and satisfying meal, you might also love this Philly Cheesesteak Pasta recipe.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe comes together with a few simple, yet powerful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:
For the Hot Honey BBQ Sauce:
- BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite brand—hickory or original flavors work best as a base.
- Honey: This adds the signature sweetness that balances the heat.
- Sriracha: For that perfect spicy kick. Adjust the amount to your preferred heat level.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: A splash of acidity to brighten up the flavors.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These essential aromatics add depth to the sauce.
For the Quesadillas:
- Shredded Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend for a quick and easy prep.
- Flour Tortillas: Large, 8- to 10-inch “burrito size” tortillas are ideal for holding all the delicious filling.
- Cheese: A blend of shredded Monterey Jack and Sharp Cheddar provides the best melt and flavor.
- Red Onion: Finely chopped, for a little bite and flavor.
- Cilantro: Freshly chopped, to add a touch of brightness.
- Butter or Oil: For pan-frying the quesadillas to golden-brown perfection.
How to Make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Follow these simple steps to create the most delicious quesadillas you’ve ever had. It’s a straightforward process that delivers big on flavor.
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, sriracha, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it has thickened slightly.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken with about half of the prepared hot honey BBQ sauce. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated. Add more sauce if you like it extra saucy! Mix in the finely chopped red onion and fresh cilantro.
- Assemble the Quesadillas: Lay a tortilla flat. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of the cheese blend over one half of the tortilla. Top the cheese with a generous portion of the chicken mixture. Sprinkle another 1/4 cup of cheese over the chicken. Fold the empty half of the tortilla over the filling.
- Cook to Perfection: Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a little butter or oil. Carefully place the assembled quesadilla in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it rest for a minute before slicing into wedges. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or extra hot honey BBQ sauce for dipping.
Pro Tips for the Best Results
Want to take your Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas from great to absolutely amazing? Follow these simple but effective tips.
- Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly. For the best gooey cheese pull, buy blocks of Monterey Jack and cheddar and shred them yourself.
- Don’t Overfill: It’s tempting to pack your quesadillas, but overfilling can cause the contents to spill out and make the tortilla soggy. A nice, even layer is all you need.
- Use Medium Heat: Cooking on high heat will burn the tortilla before the cheese has a chance to melt. Medium heat ensures a crispy exterior and a perfectly melted interior.
- Try a Different Protein: This recipe is fantastic with pulled pork or even shredded beef. If you’re looking for another amazing chicken dish, consider this creamy Boursin chicken recipe.
What to Serve with Your Quesadillas
These quesadillas are a meal in themselves, but they also pair wonderfully with a variety of sides. Consider a side of flavorful Spanish rice to round out the meal. A simple side salad, black beans, or a cup of soup would also be excellent choices.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, avoid the microwave as it will make them soggy. Instead, place them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat or in an air fryer for a few minutes until they are heated through and crispy again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! To bake, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. For an air fryer, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crispy.
Absolutely! The sauce can be made up to a week in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You may need to warm it slightly to return it to its original consistency before using.
The key to a crispy quesadilla is to cook it over medium heat in a skillet with butter or oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan, and don’t overfill the tortilla. This allows the tortilla to toast evenly and achieve that perfect crunch.
While a mix of Monterey Jack and cheddar is recommended for optimal melt and flavor, you could also use Colby, Gouda, or even a Pepper Jack for an extra kick of spice.
A store-bought rotisserie chicken is the quickest and easiest option. However, you can use any leftover cooked chicken, whether it’s baked, grilled, or pan-seared. Just make sure to shred it for the best texture.
Get the Full, Printable Recipe Below!
Ready to make these incredible quesadillas? The full recipe card below has all the precise measurements and instructions you’ll need. Enjoy!
Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas (Easy & Crispy!)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, sriracha, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken with about half of the prepared hot honey BBQ sauce, or more to your liking. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated. Mix in the finely chopped red onion and cilantro.
- Assemble: Lay a tortilla flat. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of cheese over one half of the tortilla. Top with a portion of the chicken mixture, then another 1/4 cup of cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling.
- Cook: Heat butter or oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the quesadilla for 3-4 minutes per side, until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Remove from the skillet, let rest for one minute, then slice into wedges. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
Don't cook on high heat, or the tortilla will burn before the cheese melts.
A rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver for this recipe.
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