Double-Loaded Protein Chicken & Greek Yogurt Quesadilla
High-protein chicken quesadilla with Greek yogurt and cottage cheese — 38g protein per serving. Perfect muscle-building lunch ready in 35 minutes.
Ingredients
- 12 oz cooked shredded chicken breast (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt, plain
- 0.75 cup cottage cheese, small-curd
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 large whole wheat tortillas (10-inch)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 0.5 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- 1
Mix together the Greek yogurt and cottage cheese in a small bowl until smooth, then season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin.
- 2
Combine the shredded chicken with the smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice in a separate bowl, stirring until evenly coated.
- 3
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- 4
Add the diced red onion and minced garlic to the hot oil, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and the onion begins to soften.
- 5
Stir in the sliced bell pepper and fresh spinach, cooking for another 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and the pepper is tender-crisp.
- 6
Remove the vegetable mixture from the skillet and set aside on a clean plate.
- 7
Reduce heat to medium and wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel.
- 8
Place one tortilla in the skillet and warm for about 30 seconds until pliable.
- 9
Spread 2-3 tablespoons of the Greek yogurt-cottage cheese mixture over half of the tortilla.
- 10
Layer one-quarter of the seasoned chicken, one-quarter of the sautéed vegetables, and one-quarter of the shredded cheddar cheese on top of the yogurt mixture.
- 11
Fold the tortilla in half and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
- 12
Flip the quesadilla carefully and cook the other side for 2-3 minutes until golden and the cheese is fully melted.
- 13
Transfer to a cutting board and repeat steps 8-12 with the remaining three tortillas and fillings.
- 14
Cut each quesadilla into two triangles and arrange on serving plates.
- 15
Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side for extra brightness.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional sour cream | Nonfat Greek yogurt mixed with cottage cheese | Greek yogurt adds 15-20g of protein per serving while cottage cheese provides creamy texture and additional casein protein for sustained satiety. |
| Regular flour tortillas | Whole wheat tortillas or high-protein tortillas (10g+ protein per tortilla) | Whole wheat tortillas add fiber and sustained carbs; high-protein tortillas can add an extra 6-8g of protein per quesadilla without changing texture significantly. |
| Canned or deli chicken | Rotisserie chicken breast or freshly poached chicken breast | Fresh rotisserie or poached chicken breast is leaner, more flavorful, and has superior amino acid profile compared to processed alternatives. |
| Whole milk cheddar | Sharp aged cheddar or a blend of sharp cheddar with feta cheese | Sharp cheddar delivers more intense flavor with less volume needed; feta adds extra protein and tang while reducing overall fat. |
| Vegetable fillings only | Add 2 tbsp hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds per quesadilla | Seeds contribute complete plant-based protein, healthy fats, and minerals while adding pleasant crunch and nutty flavor. |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 485 |
| Total Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Cholesterol | 58mg |
| Sodium | 720mg |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Protein | 38g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
