Bacon Ranch Ground Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground chicken (97/3)
• 6 slices bacon (Cut into strips.)
• 2 tbsp ranch seasoning
• 8 oz cheddar (Shredded; the instructions specify using 2 tablespoons (14 g) per cheese layer on each tortilla.)
• 8 tortillas (The author used 6-inch Mission Carb Balance tortillas.)
• cooking spray (A tiny bit, for cooking the quesadillas.)

Steps

1. 1

   Cook the bacon strips in a large skillet over medium-high heat until cooked and crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel, then drain the remaining grease from the skillet.

2. 2

   Add the ground chicken to the same skillet and cook until no pink remains.

3. 3

   Add the ranch seasoning to the cooked ground chicken.

4. 4

   Return the bacon pieces to the skillet and stir the chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning well until no visible ranch seasoning remains.

5. 5

   Transfer the ground chicken mixture to a bowl or plate and set it aside.

6. 6

   Place the same skillet or a large griddle over medium-low to medium heat. Spray it with a tiny bit of cooking spray.

7. 7

   Add the tortillas to the skillet or griddle. On one half of each tortilla, place 2 tablespoons (14 g) of shredded cheddar.

8. 8

   Add about 40–45 g of the ground chicken mixture on top of the cheese on each tortilla.

9. 9

   Add another 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar over the chicken mixture.

10. 10

    Use a spatula to gently fold each tortilla in half. Hold the top half closed for a few seconds so the top layer of cheese begins to melt.

11. 11

    Cook the quesadillas for another 1–2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Decrease the heat if the tortillas are browning too quickly.

Notes

The author recommends freshly shredded cheddar because it melts better than pre-shredded cheese. A Greek yogurt ranch dip is mentioned as an optional accompaniment, made by mixing fat-free Greek yogurt with a pinch or two of ranch seasoning and a splash of hot sauce; it is not part of the five-ingredient recipe.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• quesadillas
• quick meal
• skillet
• cheesy
• high-protein