Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas with Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce Recipe

Introduction

These Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas are a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. Topped with a creamy jalapeño sauce, they make a deliciously satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and sure to please the whole family.

Ingredients

• 1.5 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
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper, to taste
• 0.33 cup honey
• 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1-2 fresh jalapeños, deseeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 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, to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Season the chicken with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Step 2: Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes until it turns golden and is cooked through.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together honey and hot sauce. Pour this mixture over the cooked chicken and toss until the chicken is well coated. Keep warm.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, mix sour cream, chopped jalapeños, lime juice, and salt. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
5. Step 5: Lay a flour tortilla flat. Sprinkle a layer of cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, then add a portion of the hot honey chicken. Add another light sprinkle of cheese and top with a second tortilla.
6. Step 6: In a skillet over medium heat, melt a little butter. Place the assembled quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese is melted.
7. Step 7: Slice into wedges and serve with the jalapeño cream sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spiciness according to your preference.
• Add sautéed bell peppers or onions inside the quesadillas for extra flavor and crunch.
• For a lighter option, use whole wheat tortillas and reduced-fat cheese.
• If you prefer a milder sauce, reduce the amount of jalapeños or substitute with poblano peppers.

Storage

Store any leftover quesadillas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet over medium heat to retain crispness or use a microwave for quicker reheating, though the tortillas may be softer. Keep the jalapeño cream sauce refrigerated and stir well before serving again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, boneless skinless chicken thighs can be used. They tend to stay juicier but may require slightly longer cooking time.

How spicy is the jalapeño cream sauce?

The sauce is moderately spicy but you can adjust the heat by using fewer jalapeños or removing all the seeds. Adding more sour cream will also mellow the heat.

Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas with Spicy Jalapeño Cream Sauce Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 122 reviews

These Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Quesadillas feature tender, spice-seasoned chicken glazed with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, layered between melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses in warm flour tortillas. Served with a creamy, zesty jalapeño lime sauce, this dish packs a flavorful punch perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a satisfying snack.

• Author: Elena
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 quesadilla wedges (serves 4) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken

• 1.5 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
• 0.5 teaspoon pepper, to taste
• 0.33 cup honey
• 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce

For the Jalapeño Cream Sauce

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1–2 fresh jalapeños, deseeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 0.5 teaspoon salt, to taste

For the 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, to taste)

Instructions

1. Cooking the Chicken: In a skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Season the cut chicken pieces with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey and hot sauce, then pour this mixture over the cooked chicken and toss well to coat. Keep the chicken warm.
2. Preparing the Jalapeño Cream Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine sour cream, chopped deseeded jalapeños, lime juice, and salt. Mix thoroughly and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Assembling the Quesadillas: Lay one flour tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle a layer of cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the tortilla. Add a portion of the hot honey chicken on top of the cheese. Lightly sprinkle additional cheese over the chicken, then cover with a second tortilla.
4. Cooking the Quesadillas: Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt some butter. Carefully place the assembled quesadilla in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Flip and cook the other side for another 2-3 minutes until golden and the cheese inside melts. Remove from heat, slice into wedges, drizzle or serve with the jalapeño cream sauce, and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the heat level to your preference.
• You can add additional fillings such as sautéed bell peppers or onions for extra flavor and texture.
• Make sure to deseed the jalapeños in the cream sauce to keep it creamy without too much heat; leave seeds in if you want extra spice.
• Use medium heat when cooking the quesadillas to avoid burning the tortillas before the cheese melts inside.

Keywords: Chicken, Cream Sauce, Honey, Quesadilla, Spicy, Jalapeño, Cheesy, Quick Dinner