Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

Bring That Bold, Smoky-Sweet Flavor Right Into Your Kitchen

Craving that fiery, sticky, downright addictive Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe at home? Oh, you’re in for a treat! This recipe gives you that perfect balance of heat from Cholula hot sauce and mellow sweetness from honey-just like the one you’d find sizzling fresh behind the counter at Qdoba.

And the best part? You can totally whip it up in your own kitchen with minimal fuss for Qdoba Sweet and Spicy Chicken.

Whether you’re building your dream burrito bowl, stuffing it in tacos, or just enjoying it straight off the pan (no judgment), this hot and sweet chicken is sure to be a hit. Let’s dive in!

What Does Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Taste Like?

Think bold. Think smoky. Think sweet with a slow-building kick of heat that leaves you reaching for one more bite. The honey and sugar blend perfectly with the vinegary punch of Cholula hot sauce.

It clings to juicy, adobo-marinated chicken for a saucy, sticky, finger-licking experience. The result? A balance of hot and sweet that makes your tastebuds do a happy dance.

Ingredients Required for Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

Here’s the list of Ingredients you’ll need to make this Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken

• 3 cups Cholula hot sauce
• 4 cups honey
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2.5 lbs adobo-marinated chicken (pre-cooked or grilled)

If you can’t find adobo-marinated chicken, just marinate your chicken in a simple adobo seasoning blend or a store-bought adobo sauce before cooking.

Kitchen Utensil You’ll Need

1. Medium to large saucepan
2. Whisk
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Spatula or tongs
5. Stovetop
6. Mixing bowl (optional, if preparing adobo marinade from scratch)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-6

Copycat Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

Simply follow the steps given below to make your Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken at home

Step 1: Make the Sauce
In your saucepan, combine 3 cups of Cholula, 4 cups of honey, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Now comes the fun part-whisk, whisk, whisk! You want the mixture to be super smooth and well blended.

Don’t skip the whisking-this step helps the baking soda fully integrate, giving the sauce a light, almost airy texture as it thickens.

Step 2: Simmer and Activate
Set your pan over medium heat and bring the sauce to a light simmer. Stir frequently for about 20 minutes. You’ll notice the sauce start to bubble a little-totally normal! That’s the baking soda doing its magic. The sauce should thicken slightly and darken a touch.

Step 3: Add the Chicken
Add your 2.5 lbs of cooked adobo chicken into the sauce. Stir to coat evenly. Let everything warm together for another 5 minutes until the chicken is beautifully glazed and hot all the way through.

You can scale the chicken up to 5 lbs if you’re feeding a crowd-just double the sauce as needed.

Some Tasty Ways To Customize and Serve This Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken

1. Build-Your-Own Burrito Bowls
Okay, this one’s a no-brainer. We’ve done this so many times-just grab some warm cilantro-lime rice, toss on black beans, that saucy hot and sweet chicken, and top it with all the goods: guac, pico, corn salsa, shredded cheese… you name it. Honestly? It rivals the real Qdoba experience.

2. Loaded Nachos Night
We once did this for game day and oh wow-layer tortilla chips, drizzle with cheese sauce, scatter chopped hot and sweet chicken on top, and broil it for a minute or two. Add sour cream, jalapeños, and maybe a cold drink? You’re golden.

3. Street-Style Tacos
Warm up some soft corn tortillas (flour works too), add the chicken, a little slaw or shredded lettuce, and a drizzle of chipotle crema. So simple, so good. We usually serve these with lime wedges and a cold beer. It never disappoints.

4. Quesadillas with a Kick
We tried this on a lazy Sunday-stuffed the chicken into a tortilla with pepper jack cheese and grilled it until crispy. Dip it in salsa or ranch (or both, no shame). It’s spicy, gooey heaven.

5. Hot & Sweet Chicken Sliders
This one’s a crowd-pleaser for sure. Grab mini brioche buns, pile in the chicken, and top with coleslaw or pickles. We served these at a backyard BBQ once and they were gone in minutes.

6. Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Okay, hear me out-roast some sweet potatoes until soft, slice them open, and stuff them with that saucy chicken. It’s the perfect sweet and spicy balance. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt on top? Game changer.

7. Chicken Taco Salad
We do this when we want to feel like we’re eating light (even though it’s totally loaded). Toss chopped romaine, black beans, corn, avocado, tortilla strips, and hot and sweet chicken. Ranch or chipotle dressing ties it all together. So satisfying.

8. Breakfast Burritos
Yes, we’ve had this chicken for breakfast. Wrap it in a tortilla with scrambled eggs, cheese, and maybe a little hot sauce. We’ve even frozen a few to reheat during busy mornings. Total lifesaver.

9. Baked Mac and Cheese Topping
One time, we spooned this over a pan of creamy baked mac and cheese. Let’s just say…it disappeared fast. That spicy-sweet combo over creamy pasta? Unreal. You gotta try it.

10. Over Fried Rice
Sounds odd, but trust us-if you’ve got leftover rice, throw it in a pan with a bit of soy sauce and veggies, then top it with this chicken. It’s got that sweet heat that pairs weirdly perfectly with the savory rice. Total flavor bomb.

Some Tips on This Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

1. Whisk it like you mean it!
When I first made the sauce, I learned that whisking really well helps everything mix better. The baking soda can get lumpy, so I make sure to whisk until it looks nice and smooth.

2. Don’t walk away from the stove.
That sauce can bubble up fast! I like to stay close and stir it while it simmers. It keeps the bottom from burning and helps the flavor stay just right.

3. Taste the sauce before adding chicken.
One time, I made it a little too spicy (oops!). Now, I always take a tiny spoonful before adding the chicken-just to check if it’s sweet and spicy enough.

4. Use cooked chicken to save time.
I sometimes use grilled chicken I already have in the fridge. It makes the whole thing come together super quick!

5. Let the chicken sit in the sauce.
I let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a few minutes after mixing. It soaks up all the flavor and turns out extra tasty.

6. Add more honey if you like it sweeter.
One time, I made it too hot for my little brother, so I added a little more honey. It fixed it right up! Sweet and spicy is the best.

7. Stir gently so the chicken doesn’t fall apart.
I learned this the hard way-don’t stir too rough! The chicken stays nice and chunky if you’re careful.

8. Use a non-stick pan if you have one.
It helps a ton! The sauce won’t stick or burn as easily, and cleanup is way easier.

9. Try it in tacos or bowls.
I’ve put this chicken in tortillas, on rice, even in salads. It goes with everything. Sometimes I just eat it with a fork, straight from the pan!

10. Let it cool a little before eating.
The sauce gets super hot, so I wait a few minutes before taking a bite. It thickens more and tastes even better once it cools just a bit.

How to Store and Reheat Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any remaining chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave, adding a splash of water or extra sauce to keep things juicy.

You can also freeze the sauced chicken for up to 2 months-just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Common Queries on This Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe

Here, we’ve got you covered with some common questions about the Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken Recipe that people often ask.

1. Is the Cholula Hot and Sweet Chicken spicy?

Yes, but it’s a friendly kind of spicy. The Cholula adds that classic vinegary chili heat, but it’s mellowed out beautifully by the honey and sugar. From our experience, it’s more of a sweet-then-heat flavor combo-not overpowering at all. Even spice-sensitive folks can usually handle it just fine!

2. What is in Qdoba Cholula Chicken?

In the store version, it’s all about that balance of spicy Cholula, sweet honey, and tender adobo-marinated chicken. We’ve recreated the recipe using:

• Cholula hot sauce
• Honey
• A touch of sugar and baking soda
• And of course, cooked adobo chicken

It’s simple, but seriously delivers on flavor.

3. What are the ingredients in Cholula hot sauce?

We’ve worked with Cholula plenty of times, and its ingredients are straightforward and natural. It includes:

• Arbol and piquín peppers
• Vinegar
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Spices

No weird additives or artificial stuff-which is one reason it blends so well with honey in this recipe.

4. Can I use another hot sauce instead of Cholula?

You can, but honestly, Cholula has a very distinct flavor that really makes this dish. If you’re in a pinch, something like Tapatío or Crystal might work, but the taste will be noticeably different. We always recommend sticking with Cholula for that authentic Qdoba vibe.

5. How spicy is this dish compared to regular Qdoba chicken?

It’s a little spicier than the grilled adobo chicken on its own, but not as hot as something like Qdoba’s habanero salsa. It’s definitely more about the balance of heat and sweet-just enough kick to keep it exciting.

6. Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely, and we often do! The flavors actually deepen after sitting overnight. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat when you’re ready. It’s great for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.

7. Do I need to marinate the chicken first?

If you’re not using pre-marinated adobo chicken, we do recommend marinating your chicken first. A quick mix of adobo seasoning, olive oil, and lime juice does the trick. Even 30 minutes makes a difference.

8. Why is baking soda added to the sauce?

Great question-and yes, we wondered the same thing the first time we made it. The baking soda actually reacts with the acidity in the hot sauce and helps thicken the mixture. It also gives the sauce a slightly lighter, almost foamy texture when cooking-don’t skip it!

9. How do I stop the sauce from burning?

Keep your heat at medium to low, and stir often. We’ve found that using a non-stick pan or heavy-bottomed saucepan helps prevent sticking. And don’t walk away from the stove-this sauce needs a little attention as it simmers.

10. What’s the best way to serve this chicken?

Oh man, so many options! We love it in burrito bowls, tacos, quesadillas-even on nachos. It also works great with rice, black beans, corn, and avocado for a build-your-own bowl kind of night. Honestly, it’s hard to go wrong.

So there you have it-your own homemade Qdoba Hot and Sweet Chicken that’s just as bold and flavorful as the real deal. It’s saucy, spicy, sweet, and oh-so satisfying. Perfect for weeknight dinners, party tacos, or meal prep magic.

Whether you’re recreating your favorite Qdoba bowl or just want something finger-licking good, this recipe hits the spot every single time. Give it a try, and don’t forget to bring the napkins.

Feel free to share your experience with this recipe by trying it out. Don’t forget to drop a comment and provide your feedback on the blog for us to read.

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