why make this recipe
These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are quick, tasty, and full of bold sweet and smoky flavor. They cook fast and use simple pantry items. If you like a mix of heat and honey, this is a great weeknight meal.
introduction
This recipe mixes hot honey and barbecue sauce with shredded chicken and melty cheese inside a crispy tortilla. It is easy to make and fun to eat. For another take on hot honey quesadillas, see the cheesy hot honey chicken quesadillas page for more ideas and a spicy cream sauce.
how to make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Start by tossing the cooked chicken with hot honey and barbecue sauce so every shred has flavor. Heat a skillet with oil, build the quesadilla with cheese, the chicken mix, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro, and cook until both sides are golden and the cheese melts. Use a spatula to flip carefully so the filling stays inside. Let the cooked quesadilla rest one minute before cutting so the cheese sets and the wedges hold together.
Ingredients :
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 pound cooked chicken breast shredded
1/4 cup hot honey
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
4 large flour tortillas
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup diced red onion
1 jalapeno sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Directions :
- In a medium bowl, toss shredded chicken with hot honey and barbecue sauce until evenly coated.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add vegetable oil.
- Place one tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle half of the cheese over the surface.
- Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer and top with red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the filling and top with a second tortilla.
- Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt, about 3 minutes.
- Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side until golden and the cheese is fully melted, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 1 minute, then cut into wedges and repeat with remaining ingredients.
how to serve Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Cut the quesadilla into wedges and serve warm. Add a small bowl of sour cream or plain yogurt for cooling, or a simple salsa on the side. For a fuller plate, serve with a fresh rice stack or salad like the tangy honey lime chicken avocado rice stack to balance the heat and add more texture.
how to store Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Let leftover quesadillas cool to room temperature. Wrap in foil or store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through so the tortilla stays crisp. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep crisp edges.
tips to make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
- Shred the chicken finely so it spreads evenly and melts with the cheese.
- Use a medium heat to get a golden tortilla without burning.
- Brush the outside of the tortilla with a little butter for extra brown and flavor.
- If your quesadilla is too thick, use less filling or two smaller tortillas.
- Use leftover cooked chicken to save time or make extra for lunches. Try pairing leftovers with a dish like baked chicken ricotta meatballs for a different meal the next day.
variation (if any)
- Swap Monterey Jack for cheddar or pepper jack for more heat.
- Add cooked bacon or smoked chicken for a deeper smoky flavor.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option (they may be smaller and need more tortillas).
FAQs
Q: Can I use raw chicken?
A: This recipe uses cooked chicken. If you use raw chicken, cook it first and shred it before mixing with sauces.
Q: How spicy will this be?
A: The heat comes from the hot honey and jalapeno. Remove the seeds from the jalapeno to make it milder, or skip the jalapeno for no heat.
Q: Can I make these ahead and freeze?
A: Yes. Cook and cool fully, then wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat from frozen in a low oven until hot and crisp.
Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
For the Quesadillas
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter For brushing the outside of the tortillas
- 1 pound cooked chicken breast, shredded Use leftover cooked chicken to save time
- 1/4 cup hot honey Adds sweetness with a kick
- 1/3 cup barbecue sauce Choose your favorite BBQ sauce
- 4 large flour tortillas For the quesadilla base
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese Can substitute with cheddar or pepper jack
- 1/2 cup diced red onion For added crunch
- 1 jalapeno sliced Remove seeds to reduce heat
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro For garnish and flavor
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil For cooking the quesadillas
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, toss shredded chicken with hot honey and barbecue sauce until evenly coated.
- Preheat a large skillet over medium heat and add vegetable oil.
Cooking
- Place one tortilla in the skillet and sprinkle half of the cheese over the surface.
- Spread half of the chicken mixture evenly over the cheese layer and top with red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro.
- Sprinkle remaining cheese over the filling and top with a second tortilla.
- Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt, about 3 minutes.
- Carefully flip the quesadilla and cook the other side until golden and the cheese is fully melted, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Transfer to a cutting board, let rest for 1 minute, then cut into wedges and repeat with remaining ingredients.
