Heart-Healthy Chicken Cheese Quesadilla

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this Heart-Healthy Chicken Cheese Quesadilla—an irresistible blend of bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. Featuring tender, seasoned chicken breast, sautéed bell peppers and onions, fresh spinach, and melted reduced-fat cheddar cheese, all tucked inside hearty whole-wheat tortillas, this recipe is a lighter take on a Tex-Mex classic. Enhanced with heart-smart olive oil, garlic powder, and smoky paprika, these quesadillas strike the perfect balance between indulgence and nutrition. Ready in just 30 minutes, they're perfect for busy nights and serve as a satisfying, guilt-free option for two. Pair with a zesty salsa for dipping and enjoy a fiber-rich, protein-packed meal that's as delicious as it is nourishing!

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 2

Ingredients

• 1 piece boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 2 pieces whole-wheat tortillas
• 0.5 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach leaves
• 0.25 cup red onion
• 0.25 cup red bell pepper
• 0.5 cup salsa

Directions

Step 1

Begin by dicing the chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, toss the diced chicken with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt until the chicken is well-coated.

Step 3

Preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add the seasoned chicken pieces. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the sliced red onion and red bell pepper. Saute for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.

Step 5

To assemble the quesadilla, lay one whole-wheat tortilla flat on a clean surface. Sprinkle half of the reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the tortilla.

Step 6

Distribute the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, and fresh spinach leaves evenly over the cheese layer.

Step 7

Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and cover with the second tortilla.

Step 8

Carefully return the skillet to the stove and heat over medium heat. Transfer the assembled quesadilla to the skillet.

Step 9

Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Step 10

Remove the quesadilla from the skillet and let it cool slightly on a cutting board. Cut it into wedges.

Step 11

Serve with salsa on the side for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(580.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1022.3

Total Fat 52.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 14.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.8g
Cholesterol 187.9mg	0%
Sodium 2339.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 63.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.8g	0%
Total Sugars 9.8g
Protein 79.6g	0%

Vitamin D 8.7IU	0%
Calcium 573.9mg	0%
Iron 6.7mg	0%
Potassium 1274.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 45.5%

Protein: 30.4%

Carbs: 24.1%