Calories in Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas

Chicken quesadilla calorie counts totally depend on the recipe you use or where you purchase the item. The combination of chicken, cheese and tortillas can make for a satisfying meal that keeps you full for a long time.

If you're eating a restaurant cheese quesadilla, calorie counts may be available online or from the chef. For store-bought and frozen options, check the nutrition facts label for the information you need.

A chicken quesadilla is typically made using shredded chicken, flour tortillas, shredded cheese, onions, salsa and spices. The tortillas are brushed with butter and heated, then the filling is added and the tortilla is folded in half. Quesadillas can be served with sour cream, guacamole or other dipping sauces.

When making quesadillas at home, there are steps you can take to reduce the calorie count and up the nutritional value. For example, the Mayo Clinic suggests swapping out a white-flour tortilla for a whole-grain option.

You can also use low-fat cheese and lean meat with any fat trimmed away when possible and add tons of low-calorie veggies, like peppers and spinach, to bulk up your quesadillas. Plus, cooking with a minimal amount of butter can make a difference.

To get the most accurate chicken quesadilla calorie count for a store-bought option, check the nutrition label provided. Some restaurants may have nutrition information available, either online, on the menu or by speaking to the kitchen staff.

The USDA estimates that a chicken quesadilla from a fast-food restaurant is 180 grams and has 529 calories, over 27 grams of protein, over 27 grams of fat and over 43 grams of carbohydrates, including more than 3 grams of both fiber and sugar. It also contains 1,340 milligrams of sodium, which is more than half of the 2,300-milligram daily maximum recommended by the American Heart Association.

Read more: The Nutritional Benefits of Corn Tortillas

Of course, a chicken quesadilla's calorie count depends on the size of the quesadilla in question. A single serving of Evol's Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas with one included guacamole pouch is 128 grams and contains 300 calories, 10 grams of protein, 11 grams of fat and 39 grams of carbs, including 2.94 grams of fiber and 2 grams of sugar. There are 420 milligrams of sodium per serving.

One 8- to 10-inch diameter cheese quesadilla from a restaurant weighs in at 714 calories, almost 31 grams of protein, almost 45 grams of fat and almost 47 grams of carbs including over 3 grams of fiber and over 4 grams of sugar. This also contains 1,360 milligrams of sodium.

For a smaller, 5- to 6-inch diameter restaurant cheese quesadilla, calories are lower at 342 per serving. This includes almost 15 grams of protein, over 21 grams of fat, 652 milligrams of sodium and almost 22 grams of carbs, of which almost 2 grams are fiber and over 2 grams are sugar.

Quesadilla calories at Taco Bell depend on what you order. A standard steak or chicken quesadilla starts at 500 calories and a cheese quesadilla starts at 450 calories. To reduce your quesadilla calories at Taco Bell, order the Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla — it contains just 200 calories.

Read more: How to Eat Healthy at Mexican Restaurants