Keto Quesadilla filled to the brim with chicken, mashed avocado and cheese, this traditionally high carb delicacy can be yours in minutes and completely guilt free! Use store bought low carb tortillas or make your own almond flour tortillas, fill ’em up and then grill, for an easy lunch or dinner option.
This post was originally published on June 25, 2019 and has been updated with fresh content, images and an improved recipe.
When I originally created this Keto Quesadilla recipe, it was built around my pre-keto love for this quick and simple lunch. I always made it with refried beans, cream cheese, avocado, chicken and shredded cheese. So when I transformed it into a low carb version, the natural thing to do was to add my Instant Pot Low Car Refried Beans.
The issue? They aren’t super quick to whip up. And what’s so great about quesadillas? They ARE quick to whip up! So I started making these Keto Quesadillas without the low carb refried beans, and began mashing my avocado to replace them. The result? Delicious! If I happen to have any leftover low carb refried beans, I will absolutely use them, but if not, these Keto Quesadillas are just as excellent without!
Why it works
- Nothing beats simple and quick when you’ve got a serious hankering for a quesadilla! If you already have the cooked chicken, you could be sinking your teeth into melty-cheesy-goodness in minutes!
- Loaded with protein and healthy fats, this Keto Quesadilla makes an excellent choice for lunch or an easy dinner.
- Kid approved! What kid doesn’t like quesadillas? I make them for my girls with just the cheese and avocado (because for some crazy reason they don’t like chicken!)
- If you use a chicken for quesadilla recipe that I have listed then you’ll have a really unique experience! Pan Fried Chicken Thighs, leftover Salsa BBQ Chicken, or marinated Greek Chicken.
Ingredients
Tortillas – You’ve got a couple options here for the tortilla. I used to always use Mama Lupes Low Carb Tortillas for my Keto Quesadilla, until I started making my own Almond Flour Tortillas! They are easy to make, taste awesome and freeze well. If you have a favourite low carb tortilla, go ahead and use that!
Avocado & Lime – we are essentially whipping up a super quick and simple version of guacamole. Feel up to making a full, flavour packed version? Try this Keto Guacamole for your Quesadilla – you won’t be disappointed!
Chicken – I have several suggestions for a chicken for quesadilla recipe. They’re all three delicious with many different flavours from rotisserie cooked to seasoned thighs. Try these Pan Fried Chicken Thighs, leftover Salsa BBQ Chicken or even this delicious marinated Greek Chicken!
Shredded Cheese – A shredded Mexican blend of cheese is best for this and can be bought in pre-shredded packs, otherwise, you can shred your own. Monterey jack, Colby cheese and Cheddar are the best cheeses to use.
Salsa & Sour Cream – Salsa and sour cream are my favourites for dipping this delicious Keto Quesadilla. This Keto Salsa takes less than 10 minutes to whip together for a flavour packed, guilt free dip!
Optional: Instant Pot Low Carb Refried Beans – I know what you are thinking: beans are definitely not low in carbs. Well, I discovered a gold mine: Black soy beans. They are super low in carbs and can be manipulated to taste just like refried beans! I make my Low Carb Refried Beans in an instant pot for ease, but can also be made on the stove top.
How to make a Keto Quesadilla
Heat up your sandwich grill on medium high heat. Scoop the avocado out into a bowl and then squeeze the lime over top. Add a pinch of sea salt and then mash the avocado until fully blended with the lime juice and salt.
Spread the mashed avocado over half the surface of the tortilla, then spread the cream cheese over the other half.
Shred the cooked chicken and then place it evenly over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over top of the chicken, leaving about an inch around the edge, and then add some minced cilantro if you like.
Fold the tortilla in half so that the guacamole side covers the fully loaded cream cheese side.
Place the Keto Quesadilla on the heated sandwich grill, close the lid and grill for a few minutes, until the cheese is hot and melty. Serve with sour cream and/or salsa.
Expert Tips
- Make a batch or two of Almond Flour Tortillas and store them in the freezer (layered with parchment paper in between each tortilla to keep them from sticking, and for easy removal). This way you can simply remove a tortilla and allow it to thaw at room temperature for a few minutes before making your Keto Quesadilla.
- Try this Keto Guacamole in place of the mashed avocado and lime, or go a little further and make some Instant Pot Low Carb Refried Beans to add to your Quesadilla!
- We don’t bring the cheese all the way to the edge of the tortilla because it will spread while it melts, and we don’t want to lose any of that cheese!
- Try a chicken for quesadilla recipe listed here to really add some special flavoring! Pan Fried Chicken Thighs, leftover Salsa BBQ Chicken or even this delicious marinated Greek Chicken.
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Keto Quesadilla with Chicken & Avocado
Ingredients
- 1 Almond Flour Tortilla or any low carb tortilla
- ½ avocado
- ¼ lime
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 tbsp cream cheese
- ¼ cup cooked chicken
- ¼ cup shredded mexicana cheese
Optional
- Low Carb Refried Beans
- cilantro
- salsa
- sour cream
Instructions
Equipment Needed
- Bowl & Fork
- Cutting Board and Knife
Directions
- Heat up your sandwich grill on medium high heat. Scoop the avocado out into a bowl and then squeeze the lime over top. Add a pinch of sea salt and then mash the avocado until fully blended with the lime juice and salt.
- Spread the mashed avocado over half of the surface of the tortilla, then spread the cream cheese over the other half.
- Shred the cooked chicken and then place it evenly over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over top of the chicken, leaving about an inch around the edge *see note 3, and then add some minced cilantro if you like.
- Fold the tortilla in half so that the guacamole side covers the fully loaded cream cheese side.
- Place the Keto Quesadilla on the heated sandwich grill, close the lid and grill for a few minutes, until the cheese is hot and melty. Serve with sour cream and/or salsa.
Notes
- Make a batch or two of Almond Flour Tortillas and store them in the freezer (layered with parchment paper in between each tortilla to keep them from sticking, and for easy removal). This way you can simply remove a tortilla and allow it to thaw at room temperature for a few minutes before making your Keto Quesadilla.
- Try this Keto Guacamole in place of the mashed avocado and lime, or go a little further and make some Instant Pot Low Carb Refried Beans to add to your Quesadilla!
- We don’t bring the cheese all the way to the edge of the tortilla because it will spread while it melts, and we don’t want to lose any of that cheese!
Nutrition
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Be still my quesadilla loving heart! You put all of my favorites in this dish and, having just checked my fridge, I know what I’m making tonight! This looks so good!
Thanks Lori! I hope you love it!
Delicious. Thanks for your recipe.I love cheesy options very much.
Once I saw this post I had to make the quesadilla for lunch. It was delicious and Hubby who doesn’t go low-carb loved it too. This is so much better than going out for lunch. Thank you for the inspiration.
Hey Marisa! I am so glad you loved this quesadilla, and glad your husband did as well!
I love the sound of this! Quesadillas are always my go-to quick lunch ideas on the weekends .
Thanks Cathleen, yes they are great for busy days, aren’t they?
I love low-carb recipes since I am on a weight loss journey. Thanks for this recipe. Looks delicious!
Thanks Sophie I hope you love it!
You’re so right, nothing best the simple and quick quesadilla, and these are absolutely fantastic! I love how packed of nutrients and healthy ingredients they are! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Paula 🙂
This sounds like such a delicious combination! I’ve made many a chicken quesadilla but have never thought to put refried beans in it, which is strange because I love refried beans. Can’t wait to give this a try for lunch some day!
Oh they are sooo good with refried beans! <3
Quesadillas are my favorite!!! This is perfect for a quick lunch and full of great ingredients!!
Totally! Thanks Aline 🙂
Loving this low-carb version. I will be making this for lunch very soon.