Hot Honey Quesadillas Recipe
Introduction
Chicken quesadillas are a delicious, easy-to-make meal perfect for any time of day. Loaded with tender BBQ chicken, melty cheese, and a touch of sweet heat from hot honey, these quesadillas are sure to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
- Cooking oil of choice
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- Kosher salt, pepper, BBQ seasoning blend
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce (plus more to drizzle in quesadillas)
- 2 tablespoons hot honey (plus more to drizzle in quesadillas)
- 4 large burrito size flour tortillas
- 3 cups shredded cheese of choice
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, jalapenos
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat a griddle or large skillet to medium heat. Add cooking oil, then the chicken seasoned with kosher salt, pepper, and BBQ seasoning. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Step 2: Stir in BBQ sauce and hot honey. Cook for an additional 2 minutes until the chicken is well coated and heated through. Remove the chicken from the griddle and scrape it clean. Lower the heat to medium-low.
- Step 3: Add a little more cooking oil and lay the tortillas flat on the griddle. On one half of each tortilla, sprinkle half of the cheese. Top with the cooked chicken, drizzle a bit more BBQ sauce and hot honey, add cilantro if using, then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Step 4: Fold the empty side of each tortilla over the filled side. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until the cheese melts and the tortillas are crispy to your liking.
- Step 5: Remove from the griddle and serve warm with sour cream and jalapenos if desired.
Tips & Variations
- Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar and Monterey Jack for extra flavor.
- Add sautéed onions or bell peppers to the filling for added crunch and sweetness.
- Swap hot honey for a mild honey if you prefer less heat.
- For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with grilled mushrooms or black beans.
Storage
Store leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat to restore crispiness, or warm in the microwave covered with a damp paper towel for about 1 minute.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, chicken breasts work well. Just be sure to cook them thoroughly and adjust the cooking time if needed to avoid dryness.
How can I make these quesadillas spicier?
Increase the amount of hot honey or add sliced jalapenos inside the quesadillas. You can also use a spicy BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
PrintHot Honey Quesadillas Recipe
This Chicken Quesadillas recipe features tender, BBQ-seasoned chicken cooked on a griddle and sandwiched between cheesy, crispy flour tortillas. Drizzled with hot honey and BBQ sauce, and optionally topped with fresh cilantro, sour cream, and jalapenos, these quesadillas make for a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 large quesadillas (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Lunch/Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Cooking oil of choice, as needed
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- BBQ seasoning blend, to taste
- 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce, plus more for drizzling
- 2 tablespoons hot honey, plus more for drizzling
- 4 large burrito-size flour tortillas
- 3 cups shredded cheese of choice (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend recommended)
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream, for serving
- Jalapenos, sliced, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Chicken: Preheat a griddle to medium heat. Add cooking oil to coat the surface, then add the chicken pieces seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, and BBQ seasoning blend. Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring a few times with spatulas to ensure even cooking.
- Add Sauces and Finish Chicken: Stir in 3 tablespoons of BBQ sauce and 2 tablespoons of hot honey with the chicken. Continue cooking for 2 more minutes while mixing to combine flavors thoroughly. Once done, remove the chicken from the griddle and scrape the surface clean. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Prepare Tortillas with Cheese and Chicken: Add a bit more cooking oil to the griddle and lay the four large flour tortillas flat. Sprinkle half the shredded cheese on one side of each tortilla. Distribute the cooked chicken evenly over the cheese layer. Drizzle additional BBQ sauce and hot honey over the chicken, add chopped cilantro if using, and then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Cook the Quesadillas: Fold the empty side of each tortilla over the filled side, creating a half-moon shape. Cook each quesadilla for 1 to 2 minutes per side on the griddle until the cheese melts completely and the tortillas crisp to your preferred level.
- Serve: Remove the quesadillas from the griddle. Serve hot with optional toppings such as sour cream and sliced jalapenos on the side.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier quesadillas or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of hot honey and BBQ sauce for your preferred sweetness and spice level.
- Shredded cheese blends like cheddar and Monterey Jack work great for melty, flavorful results.
- Cooking times may vary based on griddle heat and thickness of chicken pieces.
- For extra crispiness, press the quesadilla gently with a spatula while cooking.
- Optional toppings can be customized — avocado, salsa, or guacamole would also complement the dish well.
Keywords: chicken quesadillas, BBQ chicken, spicy quesadillas, grilled quesadillas, cheesy chicken recipe, easy quesadilla recipe
