Heart-Healthy Chicken Quesadillas

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with these Heart-Healthy Chicken Quesadillas—an irresistibly wholesome twist on a classic favorite. Packed with lean protein from tender, sautéed chicken breast and vibrant nutrients from red bell peppers, black beans, and fresh cilantro, this recipe delivers both flavor and nourishment in every bite. Nestled within crispy whole grain tortillas and oozing with reduced-fat cheddar cheese, these quesadillas are spiced with cumin and smoked paprika for a smoky, delectable kick. Serve them golden brown and perfectly crisp with a side of creamy avocado-lime guacamole for a healthy, zesty finish. Quick and easy to prepare in just 40 minutes, this heart-healthy recipe makes for a balanced meal the whole family will love, without compromising on taste or nutrition. Perfect for fans of wholesome Mexican cuisine!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 large boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 4 large whole grain tortillas
• 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.5 cup black beans
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro
• 1 small avocado
• 1 small lime
• 0.25 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon salt

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

Finely chop the red bell pepper and yellow onion. Mince the garlic cloves.

Step 3

Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and sauté for about 5 minutes, until lightly browned.

Step 4

Add the chopped red bell pepper, onion, and minced garlic to the pan. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.

Step 5

Stir in the cumin powder, smoked paprika, black beans, freshly ground black pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the spices are well incorporated.

Step 6

Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro. Mix well to combine.

Step 7

Lay a tortilla flat on a clean surface, and evenly distribute about a quarter of the chicken and vegetable mixture over half of the tortilla. Sprinkle a quarter of the shredded cheddar cheese over the mixture. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling.

Step 8

Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.

Step 9

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the quesadilla in the skillet and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla is golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Step 10

While the quesadillas are cooking, mash the avocado in a small bowl and mix with the juice of the lime to create a simple, heart-healthy guacamole.

Step 11

Cut each quesadilla into wedges and serve immediately with a scoop of the avocado-lime guacamole on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	981.4 grams (981.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1624

Total Fat 76.80g	98%
Saturated Fat 22.90g	115%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.60g
Cholesterol 250mg	83%
Sodium 2567mg	112%
Total Carbohydrate 137.00g	50%
Dietary Fiber 31.00g	111%
Total Sugars 13.10g
Protein 116.70g	233%

Vitamin D 10IU	50%
Calcium 1116mg	86%
Iron 13mg	73%
Potassium 2089mg	44%

*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: 40.5%

Protein: 27.4%

Carbs: 32.1%