By CHEF MARIO LIMADURAN July 28, 2019
Quesadillas are incredibly functional - and yes, they can absolutely be healthy! Plus, they are super easy to make ahead of time as part of your chicken meal prep efforts.
The day I tested this recipe, I also made a bunch of quesadillas for the rest of the Trifecta team - needless to say, no one was disappointed! I also remembered how fun it was to create a quesadilla, specially when you have your items already cooked, like all of our Trifecta Chicken and Meal Prep items.
Fell free to add in any ingredients you like into the quesadillas; whether that's caramelized onions, spinach, or simply swap in your favorite proteins. This fun and simple recipe will satisfy anyone in your household. Pair with your favorite salsa, and I highly suggest you use a whole wheat tortilla to up that fiber and micronutrient content!
Use this recipe and other quick chicken for meal prep recipes with this meal prep toolkit for weight loss. A complementary, RD-written guide to crushing your macros, getting results, and building your ultimate weekly meal plan.
Healthy Chicken Quesadilla
COOK TIME:
7 min
PREP TIME:
10 min
YIELD:
4
DESCRIPTION
By using the correct quantities - meaning, not overdoing it in the cheese - and adding some vegetables into the quesadilla, this fun recipe can be made healthy and delicious. Believe it or not, I also used to make quesadillas for NFL Combine-training athletes. So if a prospective NFL athlete can fuel their crazy workouts with quesadillas, know you can fuel your day to day activities as well!
INGREDIENTS
Optional:
INSTRUCTIONS
If using chicken breast, dice the chicken into small squares, as even as possible. Keep aside. Portion and mix the vegetables into a separate bowl and keep aside. Similarly, weigh and mix the cheddar and pepper jack cheese into a separate bowl.
Working with one tortilla at a time, lay the tortilla on a cutting board. Spread on one side the cheese mix, followed by about ⅓ cup of the vegetable mix, and 3 ounces of the Trifecta diced or shredded chicken. Make a flat as much as possible.
Fold the opposite end half of the tortilla on top of the side of the tortilla with all the quesadilla guts. Set aside in a tray until needed. Repeat the process with the remaining three tortillas.
Spray a large non-stick pan with some spray oil and heat over medium heat. Working with one or two at a time (depending on the size of the large skillet), transfer the quesadillas to the pan and toast for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Adjust heat as needed - you want a golden-brown color on both sides. If the quesadilla begins to burn, remove the pan from heat or flip the quesadilla to avoid the tortilla from charring. Keep a close eye and judge according to color and how fast the cheese melts.
Repeat with all quesadillas, remove from pan and let stand for 1 minute. Cut each quesadilla into four equal triangles. Serve with your favorite salsa or as is.
NUTRITION FACTS
Servings: 4 | Calories Per Serving: 410
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tag @trifecta on Instagram and hashtag #eatlikeyoutrain
If you have any questions, feel free to tag @ChefMario._
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