Before-Practice Recipe

Quesadilla Protein Upgrade

A cheese quesadilla loaded with chicken and beans on one half, so the picky and the hungry both leave happy.

IngredientsTimingStoragebeans
Comic-book style illustration of early dinner plates packed around practice bags before leaving the house for Quesadilla Protein Upgrade.

Safe-food upgrade

One pan, two quesadillas, and nobody has to argue about the filling.

A plain cheese quesadilla is the version a wary kid trusts, so half stays exactly that.

The other half gets chicken and beans, which makes it filling enough to count before a game.

Ingredients

Set up quesadilla protein upgrade for makes 2 quesadillas, then keep the timing close to about 15 minutes.

  • 4 flour tortillas (8-inch)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
  • 1 cup cooked shredded chicken
  • 1/2 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, for dipping
  • 1/4 cup salsa (optional, for the dip)

How to Make It

The easiest version of quesadilla protein upgrade gets cooked before the household starts asking questions.

  • Lay two tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat and sprinkle cheese over each.
  • Add the chicken and beans to one half, keeping the other half cheese-only for a picky eater.
  • Top with the second tortillas and cook about 2 minutes per side until golden and the cheese melts.
  • Cut into wedges and serve with Greek yogurt, stirred with salsa if you like, for dipping.

Make It Work for Picky Kids

A plain cheese quesadilla is the trusted version, so add protein to only part of it at first.

  • Keep one quesadilla cheese-only and load the other with chicken and beans
  • Serve the yogurt dip plain so it is not too tangy for a cautious kid
  • Add just the chicken first and bring in the beans another night

Pack or Store

Quesadillas pack well and stay good for a short ride to practice.

  • Wrap the wedges in foil to keep them warm on the way to practice
  • Pack the yogurt dip in a separate leakproof cup
  • Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days and crisp them in a dry skillet to reheat
  • Serve with: a piece of fruit, carrot sticks

Parent Tip

Use a dry skillet, not oil, so the tortilla crisps without getting greasy.

Make It Fit Tonight

Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land

Bean and cheese only

Skip the chicken for a quick vegetarian quesadilla.

Breakfast version

Fill with scrambled egg and cheese for a morning meal.

BBQ chicken

Toss the chicken in barbecue sauce before filling for a smoky flavor.

Spinach and chicken

Add a handful of chopped spinach to sneak in greens.

Pizza quesadilla

Use mozzarella, pepperoni, and a side of marinara for a pizza spin.

Plan The Next Step

Browse more upgrades

See more ways to add protein to a snack a kid already loves.

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