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Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken Quesadillas

Have a case of queso cravings? Try this healthified Chicken Quesadillas recipe for a quick, easy, and cheesy meal, and say adiós to 61% of the fat.


healthified recipe
Mexican food is known for having lots of flavor. We were able to keep the flavor, while cutting fat and calories. We used whole wheat tortillas, reduced-fat cheese, and fat-free refried beans. This added 75% more fiber and cut saturated fat by 66%.

shredded cooked chicken > shredded cooked chicken breast
flour tortillas > low-fat whole wheat tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend > 3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
1 tablespoon vegetable oil > cooking spray
added fat-free refried beans

Nutritional Highlights

Calories
380  (before)

280  (after)
Total Fat
21 g (before)

8 g (after)
Saturated Fat
9 g (before)

3 g (after)
Dietary Fiber
1 g (before)

4 g (after)
Prep Time:20 min
Start to Finish:20 min
makes:4 quesadillas

1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup Muir Glen® organic salsa (any variety)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 cup fat-free refried beans
4 low-fat whole wheat tortillas (8 inch)
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend (3 oz)
Additional salsa, if desired
Fat-free sour cream, if desired


1  In medium bowl, stir chicken, 1/4 cup salsa and cilantro until well mixed. Spread 2 tablespoons beans over half of each tortilla. Top bean side of each tortilla with chicken mixture and cheese. Fold each tortilla in half over filling.
2  Heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Spray both sides of each quesadilla with cooking spray; place 2 quesadillas in skillet. Cover; cook 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until filling is heated and tortillas are lightly browned. Repeat with remaining quesadillas. Cut into wedges. Serve with additional salsa and sour cream.

Nutritional Information

1 quesadilla: Calories 280 (Calories from Fat 70); Total Fat 8g (Saturated Fat 3g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 40mg; Total Carbohydrate 32g (Dietary Fiber 4g, Sugars 4g); Protein 21g % Daily Value Vitamin A 4%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 40%; Iron 10% Exchanges 2 Starch, 2 Lean Meat, 0 Fat Carbohydrate Choices 2