Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas (The Ultimate Cheesy Recipe)

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Get ready to meet your new favorite meal: Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. This recipe is the perfect explosion of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors, all wrapped up in a warm, crispy tortilla with tons of gooey, melted cheese. It’s an incredibly easy and satisfying dish that works perfectly for a quick weeknight dinner, a fun lunch, or even as a crowd-pleasing appetizer for game day. Once you try this simple recipe, it’s guaranteed to be on regular rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadilla Recipe

This isn’t just another quesadilla recipe; it’s a flavor powerhouse that comes together in under 30 minutes. The homemade hot honey BBQ sauce is the star, offering a perfect balance of warmth from the honey and a kick from the hot sauce that elevates simple shredded chicken into something truly special.

Quick & Easy: From start to finish, you can have these delicious quesadillas on the table in about 25 minutes.
Perfectly Balanced Flavor: The combination of sweet honey, tangy BBQ sauce, and a touch of heat is simply irresistible.
Amazingly Cheesy: We use a blend of cheeses for the ultimate cheese pull and rich flavor in every single bite.
Customizable: This recipe is a fantastic starting point. Feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like bacon, corn, or black beans.

The Key Ingredients for Success

Crafting the perfect quesadilla starts with quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to bring this incredible dish to life.

For the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken

Shredded Chicken: A store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver. You can also use any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand.
BBQ Sauce: Choose your favorite brand of BBQ sauce as the base. A classic, smoky flavor works best.
Honey: This adds the signature sweetness that balances the other bold flavors.
Hot Sauce: Sriracha or Frank’s RedHot are excellent choices to provide a gentle, warming heat.
Apple Cider Vinegar: A small splash brightens up the sauce and adds a layer of tang.

For Assembling the Quesadillas

Flour Tortillas: Large, burrito-sized tortillas are ideal for holding all the delicious filling.
Cheese: A mix of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack is perfect. Cheddar provides a bold flavor, while Monterey Jack offers that incredible, gooey melt.
Red Onion: Finely diced red onion adds a subtle, sharp bite that cuts through the richness.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro provides a burst of fresh, vibrant flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can omit it.
Butter or Oil: For pan-frying the quesadillas to achieve that perfectly golden-brown and crispy exterior.

Two halves of a hot honey chicken quesadilla stacked on a plate, ready to be served for an easy weeknight dinner. — Dinner is served! These quesadillas are a guaranteed family favorite.

How to Make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Step-by-Step

This simple, four-step process makes getting these quesadillas on the table a breeze. Follow along for perfect results every time.

Step 1: Make the Hot Honey BBQ Sauce

In a medium bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar until smooth and fully combined. This simple sauce is the heart of the recipe!

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Filling

Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the sauce. Stir well to ensure every piece of chicken is evenly coated in the delicious hot honey BBQ mixture.

Step 3: Assemble the Quesadillas

Lay a tortilla flat. Sprinkle a layer of the cheese blend over one half of the tortilla. Top the cheese with a generous layer of the hot honey BBQ chicken, followed by a sprinkle of diced red onion and fresh cilantro. Add one more layer of cheese on top of the filling (this acts as the glue) and fold the other half of the tortilla over.

Step 4: Cook to Golden Perfection

Melt a little butter or heat a touch of oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. Carefully place the assembled quesadilla in the pan. Cook for 2-4 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden-brown and crispy and the cheese inside is completely melted. Remove from the pan, let it rest for a minute, then slice and serve immediately.

A close-up shot of a sweet and spicy chicken quesadilla, with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese oozing from the sides. — The perfect combination of gooey cheese and flavorful chicken.

Pro-Tips for the Best Quesadillas

Unlock the secrets to making quesadillas that are even better than your favorite restaurant’s.

Shred Your Own Cheese: Pre-shredded cheese is often coated in anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly. For the best cheese pull, buy a block and shred it yourself.
Don’t Overstuff: It can be tempting to load up your quesadilla, but over-stuffing can cause the filling to spill out and make the tortilla soggy. A balanced layer is key.
Medium Heat is Your Friend: Cooking on medium heat allows the cheese to melt completely by the time the tortilla is perfectly crispy. High heat can burn the outside before the inside is ready. For a similar great recipe, check out this Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap.

Fun Variations to Try

While this recipe is fantastic as is, feel free to get creative and make it your own.

Add Bacon: Crumbled, crispy bacon adds a salty, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the hot honey BBQ sauce.
Bring in More Veggies: Sautéed bell peppers, corn, or black beans make great additions to the filling.
Switch Up the Cheese: Try using Pepper Jack for an extra kick of spice or smoked Gouda for a deep, smoky flavor. For a truly creamy twist, a bit of spreadable cheese like in this Boursin Chicken (coming soon) recipe can be amazing.

What to Serve with Your Quesadillas

These quesadillas are a meal in themselves, but they are even better with the right accompaniments. Serve them with a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, your favorite salsa, or fresh guacamole. For a more complete meal, a simple side salad like this Cucumber Ranch Salad is a perfect, refreshing pairing.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Have leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results when reheating, skip the microwave. Place the quesadillas back in a dry skillet over medium-low heat or in an air fryer for a few minutes until they are warmed through and crispy again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can prepare the hot honey BBQ chicken filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. We recommend assembling and cooking the quesadillas right before serving for the best texture.

Can I make these quesadillas in an air fryer?

Yes! To make them in an air fryer, assemble the quesadillas and lightly spray the outside with cooking spray. Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

How can I make my quesadillas extra crispy?

For a crispy tortilla, cook on medium heat with butter or a neutral oil. This allows the tortilla to slowly toast to a golden brown without burning. Avoid high heat, which can burn the outside before the cheese melts.

What is the best cheese to use for quesadillas?

A combination of a good melting cheese and a flavorful cheese is best. We recommend a mix of Monterey Jack for its creamy meltiness and sharp cheddar for a bold flavor. Shredding your own cheese from a block will always yield the best results.

What kind of chicken should I use?

Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is the quickest and easiest option. However, any leftover cooked chicken, such as baked or grilled chicken breasts, will work perfectly. Just shred it before mixing with the sauce.

More Delicious Recipes to Try

If you loved these quesadillas, you’re sure to enjoy some of our other easy and flavorful meal ideas. For another customizable meal, check out our Chipotle Chicken Bowl.

Share Your Creation!

We are so excited for you to try this Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadilla recipe! We know you’ll love the incredible flavors and how simple it is to make. If you do try it, please leave a comment below to let us know how it turned out. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!