Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

If Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas sounds like the kind of dinner that can rescue a long weekday (and maybe your mood), you’re in the right kitchen. This is that sweet-spicy, cheesy, “everyone suddenly appears when they smell it” kind of meal—fast enough for busy nights, but fun enough to feel like you actually tried (even if you’re wearing sweatpants and calling it self-care).

I love a chicken recipe that pulls double duty: easy for beginners, exciting for everyone else. These quesadillas are exactly that. They’re crispy on the outside, gooey in the middle, and loaded with saucy shredded chicken that tastes like it came from your favorite casual spot… except you made it at home, and nobody had to wait for a table.

Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

• Weeknight-friendly: If you can stir chicken in a bowl and flip a tortilla, you’ve got this.
• Sweet + smoky + spicy: BBQ sauce brings the bold, honey adds the “ooooh,” and hot sauce gives it attitude.
• Cheese pull therapy: Cheddar for flavor, mozzarella for that dramatic stretch (honestly, it’s basically a hobby).
• Picky-eater approved: You control the heat, and you can sneak in veggies without making it a “thing.”

Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you grab a skillet, let’s give a little applause to the ingredient lineup—because every one of these is doing important work.

• Cooked chicken (shredded): The hearty, protein-packed base that soaks up all that saucy goodness.
• BBQ sauce: Smoky, tangy, and the flavor backbone of the whole operation.
• Honey: Sweetens, balances heat, and makes the chicken glossy and craveable.
• Hot sauce: Brings the kick. Add a little for warmth, more if you like living on the edge.
• Cheddar cheese (shredded): Sharp, melty, and adds that savory bite.
• Mozzarella cheese (shredded): Mild, stretchy, and basically responsible for the cheese-pull applause.
• Flour tortillas (large): Soft enough to fold, sturdy enough to hold the filling, and crisps up beautifully.
• Olive oil: Keeps things from sticking and helps you get that golden-brown finish.
• Red onions (sliced): Slightly sweet, slightly tangy, and gives the quesadilla real texture.
• Bell peppers (chopped): Fresh crunch and a touch of sweetness (plus pretty color, which counts).
• Fresh cilantro: Bright, herby, and cuts through the richness like a little reset button.
• Salt and pepper: Small but mighty—makes everything taste more like itself.
• Sour cream and guacamole (optional): Cool, creamy dipping partners that calm the spice and keep you going back for “one more.”

Refer to the recipe card below for exact ingredient measurements and full nutritional information.

How to Make Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

This is a straightforward, no-drama recipe. You’ll build the filling, sauté your veggies, stuff the tortillas, and toast until everything is melty and crisp. That’s it. No weird techniques, no hard-to-find ingredients, no “rest for 40 minutes while you contemplate your life choices.”

Step 1: Sauce the chicken

In a medium bowl, combine your shredded cooked chicken with BBQ sauce, honey, and hot sauce. Stir until every strand is coated in a glossy sweet-spicy mix. Set it aside for a minute so the flavors can mingle (like guests who actually get along at your party).

Step 2: Sauté the onions and peppers

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced red onions and chopped bell peppers. Sauté until softened and just starting to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat so they don’t get mushy.

Step 3: Layer the tortilla

Lay one tortilla flat. Sprinkle a layer of cheddar and mozzarella over half of the tortilla (this is your glue and your joy). Add a generous layer of the hot honey BBQ chicken mixture, then pile on the sautéed onions and peppers. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

Step 4: Fold

Fold the tortilla in half to form a half-moon. Press gently so it holds together and doesn’t try to escape.

Step 5: Toast to golden perfection

Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the quesadilla on the hot surface and cook about 3 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula. You’re looking for a crisp tortilla and fully melted cheese.

Step 6: Rest, then slice

Move the quesadilla to a cutting board and let it rest briefly. This helps the cheese set up just enough so slicing is cleaner (and less “cheese avalanche,” though honestly, that’s not the worst problem).

Step 7: Repeat

Keep going with the remaining tortillas and fillings until you’ve got a stack of golden, cheesy happiness.

Step 8: Serve

Slice into wedges and serve warm with sour cream and guacamole if you want the full sweet-spicy-creamy experience.

Aneta’s Real-Life Quesadilla Moment

The first time I made these, I was aiming for something quick—because it was one of those days where dinner needed to happen now, not after a complicated recipe and a deep emotional sigh. I tossed chicken with BBQ sauce and honey almost on a whim, added cheese (because I’m me), and toasted it up.

Let’s just say: my family heard the skillet sizzling and arrived in the kitchen like I rang a dinner bell. Suddenly everyone was “just checking what smells so good.” That’s when I knew these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas were a keeper.

Tips for the Best Quesadillas

A few small moves make a big difference:

• Use medium heat, not high. High heat browns the tortilla too fast and leaves the cheese half-melted. We want crisp and gooey.
• Don’t overstuff. I know, I know—more filling feels like the right choice. But too much makes flipping a mess. Keep it generous, not reckless.
• Press gently while cooking. This helps the cheese melt into everything and keeps the quesadilla from puffing up like it’s trying to float away.
• If your sauce looks a little intense… you did it right. That glossy sweet-spicy coating is the whole point. Don’t panic. It’s not “too saucy”—it’s “chef energy.”
• Want extra crispy? Brush the outside of the tortilla lightly with olive oil before cooking. It’s a little trick that feels illegal (but tastes amazing).

FAQs About Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas

One More Skillet, One More Bite

There’s something seriously satisfying about making Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas at home—crispy tortilla, melty cheese, sweet-smoky BBQ chicken, and that little spicy kick that makes you go back for another wedge even when you promised you were “just tasting.”

So the next time you need a quick dinner that feels like a treat (without requiring a miracle or a sink full of dishes), keep these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas in your back pocket. They’re easy, bold, and just the right amount of messy—in the best way.

Keep the Sweet-Heat Party Going

If these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Quesadillas just earned a spot in your “make it again ASAP” folder, don’t stop here—there are a few more cozy, saucy, cheesy favorites that hit the same happy notes:

• Classic BBQ Chicken Quesadillas for extra cheesy comfort — Same crispy tortilla magic, same melty goodness, just a little more “old-school crowd pleaser.”
• Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken with that sweet-spicy kick — If you loved the hot honey vibe, this one brings bold flavor with a creamy, tangy twist.
• Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Nachos for crunchy, messy fun — Perfect when you want dinner to feel like a party (and you don’t mind “oops, I ate half the pan”).
• Healthy Chicken Crunch Wrap for a fast handheld dinner — Great for busy nights when you need something quick, filling, and easy to eat with one hand.

If you try this recipe (or any of these!), I’d truly love to hear what you think. Scroll down and leave a ★★★★★ review—your stars and comments help other home cooks find their next favorite dinner and mean the world to me. Happy cooking!

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