BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are the star of today’s recipe, and we are diving straight into everything you need to know to make them perfectly crispy, cheesy, and packed with smoky flavor. If you are craving a quick dinner that tastes like it came from your favorite restaurant, you are in the right place.
This recipe combines tender chicken, bold barbecue sauce, melty cheese, and golden flour tortillas in a way that feels indulgent but is surprisingly simple. Whether you are cooking on a flat top griddle, using a skillet on your stove, or trying an air fryer version, these homemade chicken quesadillas deliver every single time.
Let’s get into the details so you can make this easy BBQ chicken dinner at home with confidence.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Why This Recipe Works So Well
These quesadillas work because they balance flavor and texture in every bite. Juicy chicken gets coated in smoky barbecue sauce, followed by a touch of sweet heat from hot honey. Melted cheese holds everything together inside a crispy tortilla that turns golden and crunchy in the pan.
Here is why these cheesy BBQ chicken quesadillas are always a hit:
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner when time is tight
Great as party appetizer quesadillas for game day gatherings
Ideal for outdoor cooking recipes and camping griddle meals
Kid friendly and family approved
Simple to customize with different cheeses, sauces, or spice levels
Unlike some Tex Mex chicken quesadillas that rely only on spice, this version layers smoky, sweet, savory, and creamy flavors in a balanced way. That contrast of textures and bold taste is what keeps people coming back for seconds.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Ingredients for Maximum Flavor
To make flavorful BBQ Chicken Quesadillas, you only need a handful of simple ingredients:
One to one and a half pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts
Kosher salt
Black pepper
BBQ seasoning blend
Three tablespoons BBQ sauce plus more for drizzling
Two tablespoons hot honey plus more for drizzling
Four large burrito size flour tortillas
Three cups shredded cheese such as Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Mexican cheese blend
Half cup chopped cilantro optional
Cooking oil
Sour cream and jalapeno toppings for serving
Using chicken thighs gives you extra juicy results, while chicken breasts keep things leaner. Both options work beautifully in grilled BBQ chicken quesadillas.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Step By Step Cooking Instructions
Start by heating a flat top griddle or skillet over medium heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil.
Add the diced chicken and season generously with kosher salt, pepper, and BBQ seasoning blend. Cook for about six minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and lightly browned.
Next, stir in three tablespoons of BBQ sauce and two tablespoons of hot honey. Cook for another two minutes so the sauce coats every piece evenly. This creates a glossy, sticky BBQ chicken filling that makes these crispy chicken quesadillas so satisfying.
Remove the chicken from the pan and reduce the heat to medium low. Wipe or scrape the surface clean if needed and add a little more oil.
Lay the flour tortillas flat. Sprinkle shredded cheese on one half of each tortilla. Add the BBQ chicken mixture on top of the cheese. Drizzle a small amount of additional BBQ sauce and hot honey. Sprinkle chopped cilantro if desired.
Top with more cheese and fold the tortilla over to form a half moon shape.
Cook each BBQ chicken tortilla recipe one to two minutes per side until golden brown and crisp, and until the cheese is fully melted. Press gently with a spatula for even browning.
These easy BBQ chicken quesadillas should be crispy on the outside and gooey inside.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Best Cheese for Perfect Melt
The best cheese for quesadillas is one that melts smoothly and adds flavor without overpowering the filling.
Monterey Jack cheese melts beautifully and creates that classic cheese pull.
Cheddar cheese quesadillas bring a sharper, bolder taste.
Mexican cheese blend offers a balanced combination.
Pepper Jack adds a little extra heat if you want spicy grilled BBQ chicken quesadillas.
Using enough cheese is important for structure. It acts like glue, holding your homemade chicken quesadillas together so they slice cleanly.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Cooking Methods for Every Kitchen
One of the reasons BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are so popular is their flexibility.
Griddle quesadilla recipe
Cooking on a flat top griddle gives you evenly crisp tortillas and is ideal for outdoor cooking recipes.
Skillet chicken quesadillas
A cast iron pan on the stovetop works perfectly for a quick weeknight dinner.
Air fryer chicken quesadillas
Cook at 375 degrees for six to eight minutes, flipping halfway. This method creates an extra crispy exterior. If you enjoy this style, check out Savor Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
No matter which method you choose, the goal is the same. Crispy exterior. Melted cheese. Juicy BBQ chicken filling.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas What to Serve on the Side
If you are wondering what to serve with BBQ chicken quesadillas, there are plenty of easy options.
Sour cream for dipping
Sliced jalapeno toppings
Guacamole
Fresh salsa
Corn salad
Coleslaw
For a lighter pairing, serve these easy BBQ chicken quesadillas with a fresh and protein packed Southwest chicken salad
If you are building a full week of chicken dinners, you might also enjoy creamy homemade chicken Alfredo for a comforting follow up meal.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Tips for Crispy Golden Results
Making perfect BBQ Chicken Quesadillas is simple, but a few tips make a big difference.
Keep the heat at medium low once assembled. This prevents burning before the cheese melts.
Do not overload the tortilla with too much sauce. A light drizzle keeps everything flavorful without making it soggy.
Press gently with a spatula to help seal and brown the tortilla evenly.
Let the quesadillas rest briefly before slicing. This helps the melted cheese set slightly and keeps the filling from spilling out.
These small adjustments turn a basic BBQ chicken quesadilla recipe into something that tastes restaurant quality.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Storage and Reheating Guide
Leftover BBQ Chicken Quesadillas store well in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container.
To reheat and keep them crispy:
Warm them in a skillet over medium heat for two to three minutes per side.
Use an air fryer at 350 degrees for three to four minutes.
Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for six to eight minutes.
Avoid microwaving if you want to maintain that crispy chicken quesadillas texture.
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BBQ Chicken Quesadillas (Crispy, Cheesy, Sweet and Smoky)
Description
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas are crispy on the outside, gooey and cheesy on the inside, packed with smoky barbecue flavor and sweet heat from hot honey. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, parties, or game day.
Ingredients
- 1 to 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- BBQ seasoning blend
- 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 Monterey Jack, cheddar, or Mexican cheese blend
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro optional
- Cooking oil
- Sour cream for serving
- Sliced jalapenos for serving
Instructions
- Preheat a flat top griddle, cast iron skillet, or stovetop pan to medium heat and add a little cooking oil.
- Add diced chicken and season with kosher salt, black pepper, and BBQ seasoning blend.
- Cook for about 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fully cooked and lightly browned.
- Stir in 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce and 2 tablespoons hot honey and cook for 2 more minutes until coated.
- Remove chicken from the pan and lower heat to medium low. Lightly oil the surface again.
- Lay tortillas flat on the pan and sprinkle shredded cheese on one half of each tortilla.
- Add BBQ chicken filling over the cheese.
- Drizzle lightly with additional BBQ sauce and hot honey and add chopped cilantro if desired.
- Top with more cheese and fold tortilla over filling.
- Cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is fully melted.
- Let rest for 1 minute before slicing and serve with sour cream and jalapenos.
Notes
Keep heat at medium low after assembling to prevent burning before cheese melts. Do not overload with sauce to avoid soggy tortillas. Reheat leftovers in a skillet or air fryer for best texture.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas Final Thoughts for Your Dinner Rotation
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas deserve a regular spot in your meal plan. They are quick, satisfying, and adaptable to different cooking methods and flavor preferences.
This BBQ Chicken Quesadillas recipe gives you smoky barbecue flavor, sweet heat, melted cheese, and crisp tortillas all in one bite. Whether you call them cheesy BBQ chicken quesadillas, grilled BBQ chicken quesadillas, or simply your new favorite BBQ chicken tortilla recipe, they deliver bold flavor every time.
Keep your pantry stocked with tortillas, BBQ sauce, and cheese, because once you master these homemade chicken quesadillas, you will want to make BBQ Chicken Quesadillas again and again.
For more delicious recipe ideas, check out our Pinterest page at virlerecipes. Happy cooking!