If Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas sounds like the kind of dinner that could save a Tuesday night, you’re in the right kitchen. This is that sweet-meets-spicy, cheesy-crispy situation that makes everyone wander in asking, “Wait… what smells so good?” (Even the picky eater who “wasn’t hungry” five minutes ago.)
I’m Aneta from Chicken Magic Recipes, and I love a recipe that feels a little extra without making you do the most. These quesadillas are quick, comforting, and have just enough heat to make you feel like a culinary rockstar… with minimal effort and maximum cheese.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas
- Fast but fancy-feeling: Dinner in about 20 minutes, but it tastes like you planned ahead.
- Sweet + spicy + melty: Hot honey chicken + cheddar + Monterey Jack = a very happy mouth.
- Family-friendly heat control: You can make it mild or fiery depending on who’s at the table.
- That sauce though: The jalapeño cream sauce is creamy, tangy, and a little sassy—in the best way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Hot Honey Chicken
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper, to taste
- ⅓ cup honey
- 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce
Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1–2 fresh jalapeños, deseeded and chopped
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
Quesadillas
- 8 large flour tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter, for grilling
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas with Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce
1) Cook the chicken
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
Season the chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
2) Make it “hot honey” magic
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and hot sauce.
Pour it over the cooked chicken and toss until every little piece is coated and glossy. Keep it warm on low heat while you build the quesadillas.
3) Mix the jalapeño cream sauce
In a separate bowl, stir together sour cream, chopped jalapeños, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt.
Pop it in the fridge until serving time (or… taste-test it with a chip like a normal human).
4) Assemble the quesadillas
Lay one tortilla flat. Add a layer of cheddar and Monterey Jack, then spoon on some hot honey chicken.
Sprinkle a little more cheese on top (because cheese is the glue holding this whole plan together), then top with a second tortilla.
5) Grill until golden and melty
In a skillet over medium heat, melt a little butter.
Cook the quesadilla 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Repeat with the rest.
6) Slice and serve
Cut into wedges and drizzle with (or dip into) that Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce. Finish with chopped cilantro if you’re feeling fancy.
Aneta’s Tips for Crispy Quesadilla Success
- Cut the chicken small. Tiny pieces mean faster cooking and better bite-through (no tug-of-war with your tortilla).
- Shred your own cheese if you can. Pre-shredded works, but fresh-shredded melts smoother. (Not judging—weeknights are weeknights.)
- Don’t crank the heat. Medium is your best friend. High heat burns tortillas before the cheese melts, and nobody wants a “crispy” quesadilla that’s raw inside.
- Sauce too spicy? Use one jalapeño and add extra lime juice. The tang calms things down.
- Sauce too thick? Stir in a teaspoon of water or extra lime juice. Nobody wants a sauce that refuses to drizzle.
A Little Story From My Kitchen
The first time I made this, I was trying to please everyone at once—someone wanted “something cheesy,” someone wanted “something spicy,” and someone (ahem, kids) wanted “something sweet.” I thought, Sure, no pressure.
Then the hot honey hit the chicken, the cheese melted into that perfect stretchy situation, and suddenly the kitchen got very quiet… the kind of quiet that only happens when people are truly committed to eating. Now it’s one of my go-to “I need a win tonight” meals—because it tastes like effort even when you’re running on fumes.

FAQs About Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead?
Yes! Toss shredded rotisserie chicken with the honey + hot sauce mixture in a skillet just long enough to warm it through. It’s a great shortcut for Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas with Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce on extra-busy nights.
How do I store leftovers?
Store chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Quesadillas are best fresh, but you can reheat them in a skillet to bring back the crisp.
What’s the best way to reheat quesadillas?
Skip the microwave if you can (it makes tortillas sad). Reheat in a skillet over medium heat for a couple minutes per side, or in an air fryer at 350°F for about 3–5 minutes.
Can I make these less spicy?
Absolutely. Use less hot sauce in the honey mixture and stick to one jalapeño (or swap jalapeño for a milder pepper). You’ll still get bold flavor without the “I need water” moment.
Can I make these less spicy?
Absolutely. Use less hot sauce in the honey mixture and stick to one jalapeño (or swap jalapeño for a milder pepper). You’ll still get bold flavor without the “I need water” moment.
What sides go well with these?
Try simple salsa, guacamole, a quick corn salad, black beans, or a crunchy slaw. Anything fresh and crisp is perfect next to all that melty goodness.
Bring the Magic to the Table
If your week needs something fun, fast, and seriously delicious, Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas is your answer. They’re crispy, melty, sweet, spicy, and basically guaranteed to make dinner feel like a treat instead of a chore. Make a batch, pass the Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce, and watch everyone suddenly become very interested in “helping” in the kitchen.
Keep the Flavor Party Going
- If you loved the sweet-and-spicy vibe, you’ll probably fall hard for these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas—same crispy, cheesy energy with a smoky BBQ twist.
- Want a cozy side that “gets” jalapeños? Pair your quesadilla night with Creamy Jalapeño Corn Chowder for a warm, creamy bowl that tastes like comfort with a little kick.
- If you’re feeling full-on Tex-Mex, add a spoon-and-sip moment with Chicken Taco Soup—it’s hearty, family-friendly, and basically made for dunking chips between bites.
- Craving something handheld again (because tortillas have our hearts)? Try Mexican Street Corn Chicken Wraps for that corn-y, creamy, weeknight-easy goodness.
And if you make these Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas, I’d love to hear how it went in your kitchen—leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ so other readers can find this recipe too!
Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (8 quesadilla halves) 1x
Description
Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas are crispy, golden tortillas stuffed with sweet-and-spicy hot honey chicken, melty cheese, and served with a creamy jalapeño sauce—perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or fun weekend meal.
Ingredients
Hot Honey Chicken
-
1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
-
1 tablespoon olive oil
-
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon onion powder
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
½ teaspoon black pepper
-
⅓ cup honey
-
2–3 tablespoons hot sauce
Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce
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1 cup sour cream
-
1–2 fresh jalapeños, deseeded and finely chopped
-
1 teaspoon lime juice
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
½ teaspoon salt
Quesadillas
-
8 large flour tortillas
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2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
-
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
-
2 tablespoons butter, for grilling
-
Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
-
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Season the chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
-
Cook chicken for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and fully cooked.
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In a small bowl, whisk together honey and hot sauce. Pour over the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Reduce heat to low and keep warm.
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In another bowl, mix sour cream, jalapeños, lime juice, garlic powder, and salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Lay one tortilla flat and sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese. Add a layer of hot honey chicken, then sprinkle with more cheese.
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Top with another tortilla.
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Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
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Remove from skillet, slice into wedges, drizzle or dip with jalapeño cream sauce, and garnish with cilantro if desired.
Notes
Adjust the heat by using less hot sauce or only one jalapeño.
For extra crispiness, cook quesadillas low and slow.
Great for using leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken in a pinch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (2 quesadilla halves)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 980 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 44 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg