Quesadillas are a popular Tex-Mex dish consisting of a tortilla that is filled with cheese and other ingredients, then grilled or pan-fried until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crisp. Qdoba is a fast-casual Mexican restaurant chain that offers a variety of quesadilla options, including the chicken and cheese quesadilla.
Quick Answer
A chicken and cheese quesadilla from Qdoba contains approximately 700-800 calories, depending on size and ingredients. The standard quesadilla with grilled adobo chicken and 3-cheese blend has around 720 calories. Adding extra ingredients like guacamole, sour cream, or pico de gallo can increase the calorie count.
Detailed Nutrition Information
The nutrition information for Qdoba’s quesadillas can vary depending on the size, type of tortilla, protein, and additional toppings selected. Here are some of the key details:
- Tortilla: A standard 10″ flour tortilla at Qdoba contains around 300 calories.
- Protein: Grilled adobo chicken adds about 130 calories in a standard quesadilla.
- Cheese: The 3-cheese blend of cheddar, pepper jack, and mozzarella contributes approximately 290 calories.
- Salsa and sour cream: These add about 50 calories each.
- Guacamole: A scoop of guacamole adds around 230 calories.
Based on this breakdown, here are the approximate calories for Qdoba’s most popular quesadilla varieties:
| Quesadilla Variety | Calories |
|---|---|
| Chicken and cheese | 720 |
| Chicken and cheese with guacamole | 950 |
| Steak and cheese | 760 |
| Veggie and cheese | 660 |
Keep in mind that choosing a larger 12″ tortilla, double protein, extra cheese, or additional toppings like lettuce, pico de gallo, jalapeños, or ranch dressing will increase the calorie count further. It’s easy for a loaded quesadilla from Qdoba to end up with over 1,000 calories!
How Quesadillas Stack Up
Compared to other menu items at Qdoba, a chicken and cheese quesadilla provides a moderate calorie option. Here’s how it compares nutritionally to some other popular choices:
- Burrito bowl with chicken, rice, beans, salsa, cheese, and lettuce: around 600-800 calories
- 3 tacos with chicken or ground beef, lettuce, cheese: 700-900 calories
- Nachos with beef, beans, queso, pico, and guacamole: around 1,100 calories
- Chicken quesadilla suiza with sausage and queso sauce: about 1,000 calories
A quesadilla is a higher calorie choice compared to a burrito bowl without extras like guacamole or sour cream. But it’s lower in calories than nachos, tacos with multiple toppings, and creamier entrees like the quesadilla suiza.
Ways to Make Your Quesadilla Healthier
If you’re looking to lighten up your quesadilla order at Qdoba, here are some tips:
- Choose a smaller size tortilla or get it in a bowl instead of a tortilla.
- Pick lean proteins like grilled chicken or steak.
- Load up on veggies like onions, peppers, tomatoes, and spinach.
- Ask for a sprinkle of cheese instead of full amount.
- Get salsa or pico de gallo instead of sour cream or guacamole.
- Skip the chips and enjoy quesadilla with side salad instead.
Making these simple swaps can save you anywhere from 200-500 calories compared to a loaded quesadilla. You can still enjoy the tasty flavors while controlling portions of high-calorie cheeses, oils, and heavy creams.
Comparing Quesadillas from Other Restaurants
Qdoba’s quesadillas are comparable to similar items you’ll find at other Mexican restaurant chains. Here’s how they stack up:
| Restaurant | Quesadilla | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Qdoba | Chicken and cheese | 720 |
| Chipotle | Chicken and cheese | 730 |
| Moe’s Southwest Grill | Ground beef and cheese | 810 |
| Taco Bell | Chicken and cheese | 500 |
As you can see, quesadillas at most major chains clock in around 700-800 calories for a chicken and cheese variety. Taco Bell’s quesadillas tend to be smaller, so have a bit less. When it comes to calories, Qdoba’s quesadillas are very comparable to places like Chipotle, Moe’s, and Baja Fresh.
High Calorie Ingredients to Limit
While quesadillas start off as a reasonably balanced meal, the extras can quickly drive up the calorie count. Here are some of the highest calorie ingredients to watch out for at Qdoba:
- Guacamole – Around 230 calories per scoop
- Queso dipping sauce – About 150 calories per 2 oz cup
- Sour cream – Around 100 calories per 2 oz
- Chips and salsa – Chips add 140 calories per small bag, salsa around 80 calories per 2 oz
- Rice – A side of cilantro lime rice is 200 calories
Going light on high-fat extras like guacamole, queso, sour cream, and chips is an easy way to shave off calories from your quesadilla meal.
Nutritional Benefits of Quesadillas
Despite their calorie count, quesadillas can also deliver valuable nutrition:
- Protein – Chicken, steak, shrimp, etc provide protein to help fill you up.
- Calcium – The cheese contains calcium, important for bone health.
- Vitamin C – Salsa and pico de gallo provide vitamin C.
- Fiber – Beans, veggies, rice add fiber for digestion.
- Iron – Ingredients like beans supply iron.
- Vitamin A – Options like spinach boost vitamin A.
Building your quesadilla with nutrient-dense ingredients like lean protein, lots of veggies, and brown rice can help transform it into a balanced meal. The tortilla also supplies some B vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and zinc.
Making Healthy Quesadillas at Home
You can easily recreate lighter quesadillas at home. Some healthy recipe ideas include:
- Chicken apple quesadillas – Use a whole wheat tortilla, fill with chicken, sliced apples, spinach, and just a sprinkle of cheddar. Serve with salsa.
- Shrimp and black bean quesadillas – Mix cooked shrimp with black beans, corn, red onion, cilantro, and reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese. Top with avocado.
- Veggie quesadillas – Load up a tortilla with mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, onions, beans, and just a touch of cheese. Dip in Greek yogurt.
Some other healthy cooking tips include using just 1 tablespoon of oil to pan-fry, choosing corn tortillas, and baking quesadillas in the oven. Making your own allows you to control calories and load up on nutritious ingredients.
Conclusion
A chicken and cheese quesadilla from Qdoba contains around 720 calories for a regular 10″ size. This provides a moderate calorie option compared to many other menu choices. However, extras like guacamole, queso, chips, and larger portions can quickly make it less healthy. Sticking to lean proteins, loading up on veggies, and limiting high-calorie sauces and sides can keep your quesadilla relatively balanced. Or make healthier versions at home with nutritious ingredients and portion control.
In moderation, quesadillas can be part of an overall healthy diet. Just be mindful of your portion sizes, ingredient choices, and how often you indulge. This lets you enjoy the tasty flavors of a quesadilla while still maintaining balanced nutrition.