Chicken Ranch Quesadilla (Printable)
Hearty quesadilla with seasoned chicken, creamy ranch, and melted cheese on whole wheat tortillas.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken Seasoning
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 1 teaspoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
06 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Quesadilla Base
07 - 3 large whole wheat tortillas (10-inch)
08 - 1 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese
09 - 1/2 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Ranch Mixture
10 - 1/3 cup Greek yogurt (plain, nonfat)
11 - 2 tablespoons light ranch dressing
12 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (optional)
→ Vegetables
13 - 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
14 - 1/2 cup baby spinach, chopped
15 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
# How To Cook:
01 - In a bowl, toss the cooked chicken with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
02 - In a separate bowl, combine Greek yogurt, ranch dressing, and chives to make the ranch mixture.
03 - Lay out the tortillas. On one half of each tortilla, spread a generous spoonful of the ranch mixture. Top with seasoned chicken, red bell pepper, spinach, red onion, cheddar, and mozzarella cheese—dividing ingredients evenly among the three tortillas.
04 - Fold each tortilla in half to cover the filling. Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
05 - Cook each quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side, pressing gently, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
06 - Let rest 1–2 minutes, then slice into wedges and serve warm.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get a whopping 34 grams of protein without feeling like you are eating diet food
- The Greek yogurt ranch sauce tastes indulgent but keeps things light enough for any day of the week
02 -
- Letting the quesadilla rest for 1-2 minutes after cooking prevents the filling from oozing out when you slice it
- Medium heat is crucial because high heat burns the tortilla before the cheese has time to melt
03 -
- Press down gently with your spatula while cooking to ensure even contact with the pan
- A pizza cutter makes the cleanest wedges for serving