I swear, some of the best kitchen discoveries happen by accident. Like these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, honestly. I was having one of those nights you know the kind where the fridge looked like a science experiment, and I had exactly zero energy for a ‘real’ meal. My kiddo was begging for quesadillas, and I had some leftover BBQ chicken from Sunday’s cookout. Then, my eyes landed on a jar of hot honey I’d forgotten about. A lightbulb went off, and I thought, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’ Turns out, it was pure magic. The kitchen smelled incredible, a mix of smoky, sweet, and just a hint of spicy. It felt like a warm hug after a long day, and it quickly became a household favorite.

I still remember the first time I made these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. I was so convinced I’d burn them, because, well, that’s just my luck sometimes. I actually did get a little too distracted by a text and had one edge get a bit crispier than intended. Oops! But even that slightly charred bit added character, honestly. My husband just laughed and said it was ‘extra rustic.’ We’ve had these on repeat ever since, and I’ve learned a few tricks to get them just right, even with a little kitchen chaos happening around me.

60-Day Mediterranean Diet Meal Plan Ebook

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Ingredients

Main Quesadilla Fillings

Cooked Chicken: Shredded or diced, this is your protein powerhouse. I usually use leftover rotisserie chicken, because convenience is king, but any cooked chicken works!
Cheddar Cheese: Freshly grated, always! Pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that make it melt, well, kinda weird. Trust me, a block of sharp cheddar is worth the extra minute.
Red Onion: Just a little finely diced for that crisp bite. It adds a lovely zing that cuts through the richness. I like a lot, but feel free to adjust to your preference.
Cilantro: Fresh, vibrant, and a must-have for me. If you’re one of those people who thinks it tastes like soap, I get it, just skip it!

Hot Honey BBQ Sauce

BBQ Sauce: Your favorite brand! Seriously, use what you love. I tend to go for a smoky, slightly sweet one, but a tangy vinegar-based sauce would be interesting too.
Hot Honey: The star of the show! It brings that sweet heat. If you don’t have it, mix a little honey with a dash of your favorite hot sauce. I didn’t expect that combo to work so well!

The Crispy Shell

Large Flour Tortillas: The bigger the better for these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. I typically use 10-inch ones. They need to be sturdy enough to hold all that delicious filling.
Butter or Oil: For that golden, crispy exterior. Honestly, butter gives it the best flavor, but olive oil or avocado oil works if you’re dairy-free.

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Instructions

Prep Your Chicken & Veggies:: Okay, first things first, get that chicken ready. If it’s leftover, shred it up. If you’re cooking it fresh, season and cook it through, then shred. While that’s happening, finely dice your red onion and chop your cilantro. I always chop the onion a bit smaller than I think, because nobody wants a huge chunk of raw onion in their quesadilla, right? It’s all about getting those flavors evenly distributed, so take your time here. This is where I sometimes get impatient, but trust me, it pays off!
Mix the Hot Honey BBQ Chicken:: In a medium bowl, combine your shredded chicken with the BBQ sauce and hot honey. Stir it all together until every piece of chicken is coated in that glorious, sticky, sweet, and spicy goodness. This is where the magic happens, the smell is just incredible! Taste it and adjust the hot honey if you want more kick. I always add a little extra, I like things spicy. Don’t be shy here, make it your own! I once forgot the hot honey entirely, and it was just… BBQ chicken. Still good, but not these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas.
Assemble Your Quesadillas:: Time to build! Lay a tortilla flat. On one half, sprinkle a generous layer of grated cheddar. Then, spoon about half a cup of your hot honey BBQ chicken mixture over the cheese. Sprinkle with some diced red onion and cilantro. Top with more cheese. You want enough cheese to act like glue! Don’t overfill, or it’ll be a messy situation when you try to fold it. I’ve been there, cheese everywhere! Less is more, sometimes.
Heat the Skillet:: Melt a pat of butter or a drizzle of oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium heat. You want it warm enough to get that sizzle, but not so hot that it burns the tortilla before the cheese melts. I always make sure the butter is shimmering before I add the quesadilla. If it’s too cool, you won’t get that beautiful golden crispness, which is essential for these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas.
Cook to Golden Perfection:: Carefully place your assembled quesadilla into the hot skillet. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is gloriously melted and gooey. I press down gently with a spatula to ensure good contact with the pan. This is my favorite part, watching that cheese melt and bubble! Be patient, don’t rush it, or you’ll end up with a pale, floppy quesadilla, and nobody wants that.
Serve and Enjoy!:: Once cooked, transfer the quesadilla to a cutting board. Let it rest for a minute or two before slicing into wedges. This helps prevent all the delicious filling from oozing out. Serve immediately with extra hot honey for dipping, sour cream, or a side of ranch. The smell is just divine, and that first bite of crispy tortilla, gooey cheese, and spicy-sweet chicken? Pure bliss, honestly. You’ll be making these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas again and again!

Honestly, these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are a testament to how good simple ingredients can be when you just play around a bit. I remember one time, the chicken was a bit dry, and I thought the whole thing was ruined. But once it was mixed with that sticky, sweet, and spicy BBQ sauce, it transformed! It’s those little kitchen victories, even after a slight mishap, that make cooking so rewarding. My kitchen is rarely spotless, but the food that comes out of it? Always made with heart.

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Storage Tips

So, you’ve made a batch of these glorious Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, and maybe you have leftovers (lucky you!). To be real, they’re best eaten fresh when that tortilla is super crispy. But if you must store them, let them cool completely first. Stack them with parchment paper in between to prevent sticking, then pop them into an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Reheating is tricky, honestly. I tried microwaving them once, and the tortilla turned soft and the cheese got a bit rubbery so don’t do that, lol. My go-to is reheating them in a dry skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes per side until warmed through and the tortilla gets some crisp back. An air fryer also works wonders for crisping them up again!

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Ingredient Substitutions

Life happens, and sometimes you just don’t have exactly what the recipe calls for. I get it! For the chicken, pretty much any cooked protein works. Pulled pork or even ground turkey seasoned with taco seasoning could be fun. I tried using black beans once instead of chicken for a vegetarian version, and it worked… kinda. It needed a bit more seasoning to stand up to the hot honey. No red onion? A bit of green onion or even finely minced shallot would do. As for the cheese, a Monterey Jack or a Colby Jack blend would be delicious and melt beautifully. If you’re out of hot honey, just mix honey with your favorite hot sauce to taste sriracha, cayenne, even a touch of chili flakes works. I’ve experimented a lot, and these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are pretty forgiving!

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Serving Suggestions

These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are hearty enough to be a meal on their own, but I do love pairing them with a few things to really round out the experience. A simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness beautifully. For dipping, extra hot honey is a must for me, but a dollop of cool sour cream or a side of creamy ranch dressing balances the heat perfectly. Honestly, sometimes I just go all out with a side of crunchy tortilla chips and a fresh salsa. And for a cozy night in, these quesadillas with a fizzy lemonade or even a crisp lager? Yes please! They’re just so versatile for whatever mood strikes.

Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas: Cultural Backstory

Quesadillas, at their heart, are a Mexican street food staple, a beautiful marriage of cheese and tortilla. They’ve evolved so much, becoming a canvas for all sorts of fillings across different cultures. My version of Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas is definitely a nod to that evolution, bringing in classic American BBQ flavors and that trendy hot honey kick. It’s not traditional, not by a long shot, but it’s a testament to how food travels and transforms, picking up new influences along the way. For me, it became special because it was born out of necessity and a dash of creativity, turning simple leftovers into something truly memorable and comforting on a regular weeknight.

So there you have it, my Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, born from a messy kitchen and a stroke of accidental genius. Every time I make them, I’m reminded of that first night, the surprised smiles, and the joy of creating something delicious from almost nothing. They’re not fancy, but they’re full of flavor and a whole lot of heart. Give them a try, and maybe, just maybe, they’ll become a favorite in your kitchen too. I’d love to hear how your version turns out!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use uncooked chicken for these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas?: You totally can, but you’ll need to cook it first! Dice your raw chicken, season it well, and sauté it in a pan until it’s cooked through before mixing it with the BBQ and hot honey. I once tried to cook raw chicken inside the quesadilla, and it was a disaster, definitely not recommended!
→ What if I don’t have hot honey?: No worries at all! Just mix regular honey with your favorite hot sauce. Start with a teaspoon of hot sauce per tablespoon of honey and adjust to your desired level of heat. I’ve used sriracha and even a dash of cayenne pepper for a good kick.
→ How do I get my quesadillas really crispy?: The trick is medium heat and a little patience! Don’t rush it. Use enough butter or oil to coat the pan, and press down gently with a spatula as they cook. A cast iron skillet is my secret weapon for that perfect golden crust.
→ Can I make these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas ahead of time?: You can definitely prep the chicken filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge for a day or two. Assembling and cooking the quesadillas fresh is always best for that crispy texture. Once I tried assembling them ahead and they got soggy, not ideal.
→ Can I add other vegetables to the filling?: Absolutely! Finely diced bell peppers or corn would be great additions. Just make sure they’re cooked slightly or very finely diced so they don’t add too much moisture and make the quesadilla soggy. I’ve added sautéed onions and peppers before, and it was delicious!

Hi, I’m Jessica !

I'm thrilled you’ve made it here! My kitchen is where I find my joy, and if you’re just beginning your own cooking adventure, you’re in exactly the right place

About Me