Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
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If you’re craving a dish that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, smoky, and cheesy all in one bite, the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This flavorful fusion takes tender, seasoned chicken coated in luscious BBQ sauce and fiery hot honey, sandwiched between crispy, golden tortillas layered with melty cheese. Whether you want a quick weeknight dinner or a snack that wows your friends, this recipe hits all the right notes and delivers a satisfying punch of bold tastes and textures in every mouthwatering bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward but essential to making the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe shine. Each one plays a specific role, from adding a smoky kick to ensuring the perfect golden crust and gooey cheese pull that make this dish irresistible.
- Cooking oil, 2 tablespoons, divided: Used to achieve that perfect golden sear on the chicken and a crispy outside on the quesadillas.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, 450 grams: Tender and juicy protein that serves as the hearty base for the filling.
- Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon: Enhances and balances the savory flavors of the chicken and seasoning.
- Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon: Adds just the right amount of heat and depth to the seasoning mix.
- BBQ seasoning blend, 2 teaspoons: Introduces that signature smoky barbecue flavor that makes this recipe sing.
- BBQ sauce, 3 tablespoons plus extra for drizzling: Coats the chicken in a sweet and tangy glaze packed with flavor.
- Hot honey, 2 tablespoons plus extra for drizzling: The star ingredient that brings a delightful balance of fiery sweetness.
- Large flour tortillas, 4 (30 cm): The perfect soft, flexible canvas to hold all the delicious filling together.
- Shredded cheese of choice, 340 grams: Melts beautifully to bind the quesadilla filling and add creamy richness.
- Fresh cilantro, 15 grams, chopped (optional): Provides a fresh, herbal brightness as a finishing touch.
- Sour cream (optional, to serve): Offers a cooling contrast to the spicy heat when served on the side.
- Pickled jalapeños (optional, to serve): Adds an extra vinegary bite for those who love a little more heat and zest.
How to Make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Start by heating a griddle or flat top grill to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil to prevent sticking and create a beautiful sear. Arrange the chicken thighs or breasts in a single layer, then season them evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and the BBQ seasoning blend. Let the chicken cook for about 6 minutes, turning and mixing with spatulas to ensure every piece gets nicely browned and infused with smoky flavor.
Step 2: Add the BBQ Sauce and Hot Honey
Once the chicken is almost cooked through, pour in the 3 tablespoons of BBQ sauce along with 2 tablespoons of hot honey directly onto the griddle. Stir the mixture continuously for 2 minutes to coat each chicken piece thoroughly, allowing the sauce to caramelize slightly and meld with the heat of the honey. When done, scrape the griddle clean and remove the chicken, then reduce the heat to medium-low to prepare for assembling your quesadillas.
Step 3: Assemble the Quesadillas
Drizzle the remaining cooking oil on the griddle and lay your flour tortillas flat. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese evenly on one side of each tortilla. Next, spread the cooked chicken evenly atop the cheese, and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce and hot honey if you want an extra punch of flavor. If you like fresh herbal notes, scatter some chopped cilantro over the filling. Then generously sprinkle the remaining cheese on top before folding the tortilla over like a half-moon to encase your layers of deliciousness.
Step 4: Cook Until Golden and Melty
Carefully cook each folded quesadilla on the griddle for 1 to 2 minutes per side, flipping gently to avoid spillage. You’re looking for beautifully toasted, golden-brown tortillas with the cheese perfectly melted inside. This crisp exterior and gooey, flavorful filling are the heart of the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Remove the quesadillas from the heat and slice them into wedges while still hot. Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy texture and the warm, indulgent cheese stretch.
How to Serve Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
Garnishes
Some simple garnishes elevate your quesadillas from great to unforgettable. A dollop of cool sour cream provides contrast to the spicy sweet kick of the hot honey, while pickled jalapeños add a vinegary heat that complements the BBQ flavors perfectly. Fresh cilantro sprinkled on top adds vibrant color and a refreshing herbal finish.
Side Dishes
Pair your Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe with crunchy coleslaw for a crisp texture contrast, or a fresh green salad to balance out the richness. For something heartier, try smoky baked beans or grilled corn on the cob to keep the BBQ theme rolling strong.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking wedges of quesadilla on a rustic wooden board for a casual party snack or arrange them neatly on a colorful platter with small bowls of extra BBQ sauce and hot honey for dipping. You can also sprinkle some crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese on top for a fun Mexican twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, wrap any leftover Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 3 days, making a fantastic next-day lunch or quick dinner.
Freezing
You can freeze assembled quesadillas before cooking by wrapping each individually in foil and placing them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. To cook, thaw overnight in the fridge and then pan-fry as usual.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the quesadilla in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave if possible to maintain that deliciously crunchy exterior.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe?
Absolutely! Both chicken breasts and thighs work well. Thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving during cooking, but breasts are leaner and still delicious. Just be careful not to overcook the breasts to keep them tender.
How spicy is the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe?
The level of heat is moderate and can be adjusted easily by adding more or less hot honey. If you want more heat, sprinkle in pickled jalapeños or a dash of chili flakes when assembling.
What kind of cheese works best?
Cheeses that melt well, like cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend, are great choices for this recipe. They provide that gooey, stretchy texture that makes quesadillas so irresistible.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
While the recipe centers on chicken, you can easily swap the meat for grilled veggies, beans, or plant-based chicken substitutes to keep it deliciously satisfying while vegetarian-friendly.
Is the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! These quesadillas store well and reheat beautifully, making them perfect for prepping ahead for busy days. Just keep sauces handy for drizzling fresh when serving.
Final Thoughts
You really can’t go wrong with the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe. It combines familiar comfort food elements with that perfect touch of sweet heat and BBQ goodness that makes every bite memorable. I hope you have as much fun making and munching on this recipe as I do sharing it. Go ahead and dive into this cheesy, spicy, sticky delight—you deserve it!
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Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas combine tender, spiced chicken with melted cheese and a zingy hot honey BBQ sauce, all wrapped in crispy flour tortillas. Perfectly cooked on a griddle for a golden, crispy finish, this quick and flavorful recipe makes a delightful dinner or snack for four servings in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
- 450 grams boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons BBQ seasoning blend
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons hot honey, plus extra for drizzling
Quesadilla Assembly
- 4 large (30 cm) flour tortillas
- 340 grams shredded cheese of choice
- 15 grams fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
To Serve (Optional)
- Sour cream
- Pickled jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Chicken: Preheat a griddle or flat top grill to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of cooking oil, then place the chicken in a single layer. Season evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and BBQ seasoning blend. Cook for 6 minutes, turning and mixing with spatulas to ensure even browning.
- Add Sauce to Chicken: Pour in the BBQ sauce and hot honey. Continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes, stirring to thoroughly coat the chicken. Remove the chicken from the griddle, scraping the cooking surface clean. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Prepare Quesadillas: Drizzle the remaining cooking oil onto the griddle. Lay the tortillas flat, then sprinkle half of the shredded cheese on one side of each tortilla. Top with the cooked chicken, additional BBQ sauce and hot honey as desired, and chopped cilantro if using. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Cook Quesadillas: Fold each tortilla over to cover the filling. Cook quesadillas for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until the cheese melts and the tortillas are golden and crisp.
- Serve: Remove quesadillas from the griddle, slice into wedges, and serve hot with optional sour cream and pickled jalapeños.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner option.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey to moderate the heat level to your preference.
- The BBQ seasoning blend can be homemade or store-bought.
- Shredded cheese like a sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack works best for melting.
- Grilling tortillas on the griddle ensures a crisp texture and golden color.
- Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
