Quick & easy kid-friendly dinner: cheesy chicken & veggie quesadillas

 Dinner time can feel like a battlefield when your kids are picky eaters. You want a meal that’s nutritious, quick to prepare, and most importantly, something they’ll actually eat. 

Enter the cheesy chicken and veggie quesadilla: a simple, handheld meal that hides healthy ingredients inside gooey, melty cheese.

This recipe is perfect for busy parents because it’s ready in around 15 minutes, uses common ingredients, and can be customised to suit even the pickiest eaters. Plus, it’s fun to make, and kids love helping assemble their own quesadillas.

Why this recipe works for fussy kids

• Cheese hides the veggies: Even kids who normally avoid greens will enjoy the melty, cheesy filling.
• Handheld and fun: Kids love food they can pick up and dip.
• Customisable: Add or swap ingredients based on preferences — no stress if a child dislikes one veggie.
• Quick prep: Perfect for weeknights when time is limited.

Ingredients

Serves 2–4

• 2 cooked chicken breasts (shredded or diced)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
• 1 cup finely chopped veggies (spinach, bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini)
• 4 large flour tortillas
• Optional: salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping

Tip: Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken works perfectly if you want to save even more time.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Warm the tortilla: Place a large skillet over medium heat and warm one tortilla for 20–30 seconds.

2. Add the filling: Sprinkle half of the cheese over one side of the tortilla, add chicken and veggies, then top with the remaining cheese.

3. Fold and cook: Fold the tortilla in half. Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown and the cheese is melted.

4. Slice and serve: Remove from the pan, cut into wedges, and serve with dipping sauces if desired.

Pro Tip: Use a spatula to press slightly while cooking. This helps the cheese stick to everything together and gives a crispier finish.

Ways to customise for picky eaters

• Hide more veggies: Use finely grated zucchini or carrots; kids often won’t notice.
• Change the protein: Swap chicken for shredded turkey, ham, or beans for a vegetarian version.
• Spice it up gradually: Add mild seasonings like garlic powder or paprika. Avoid spicy sauces unless you know your child will like them.
• Mini versions: Make small quesadillas for toddlers who prefer bite-sized portions.

Tips for stress-free mealtime

1. Let kids help: Give them the job of adding cheese or folding their quesadilla; they’re more likely to eat something they helped make.

2. Batch prep: Cook extra chicken or chop veggies ahead of time for quick weeknight meals.

3. Use a non-stick skillet: Less sticking means faster cleanup and happier parents.

4. Pair with sides: Add fruit, carrot sticks, or yogurt to round out the meal.

Why families love this recipe

• Quick prep: Dinner in under 20 minutes.
• Kid-friendly: Cheesy, customizable, and handheld.
• Nutritious: Chicken provides protein, and hidden veggies add fibre and vitamins.
• Minimal cleanup: One skillet, one cutting board, and a few utensils.

Even the pickiest eaters often surprise parents with how much they enjoy this meal. It’s simple, satisfying, and stress-free, exactly what busy families need.

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The cheesy chicken and veggie quesadilla is a lifesaver for parents dealing with picky eaters. Quick, easy, and adaptable, it’s a recipe that will quickly become a family favourite.

Try this recipe tonight and watch your kids devour their dinner, veggies and all! You can even let them customise their own quesadilla for a fun, interactive meal.

Air fryer recipes

 

Air fryers and an amazing household appliance to have especially for a busy person looking for a quick and healthy meal.

1. Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Ingredients:

- 1 lb chicken wings

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tsp paprika

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1/2 tsp black pepper

- Optional: your favorite wing sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).

2. In a large bowl, toss the wings with olive oil and seasonings.

3. Place wings in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

4. Cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

5. Toss in wing sauce if desired and serve.

2. Air Fryer French Fries

Ingredients:

- 2 large russet potatoes, cut into fries

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tsp paprika

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Soak potato slices in water for 30 minutes to remove excess starch.

2. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

3. Drain and pat potatoes dry, then toss with olive oil and seasonings.

4. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

5. Cook for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until golden and crispy.

3. Air Fryer Salmon

Ingredients:

- 2 salmon fillets

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- 1 tsp lemon pepper

- Salt to taste

- Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F (200°C).

2. Rub salmon fillets with olive oil and seasonings.

3. Place in the air fryer basket skin-side down.

4. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.

5. Serve with lemon wedges.

4. Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

Ingredients:

- 1 lb Brussels sprouts, halved

- 1 tbsp olive oil

- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

- 1 tsp garlic powder

- Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Place in the air fryer basket in a single layer.

4. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy and browned.

5. Air Fryer Apple Chips

Ingredients:

- 2 apples, thinly sliced

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).

2. Toss apple slices with cinnamon and sugar if using.

3. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

4. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp.

5. Let cool and enjoy.

These recipes are quick, simple, and perfect for beginners air fryer cookers. 

Quick recipes for every meal

Quick and easy recipes are a god sent when you are busy or just tired and meals that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less are even better so below I have outlined a few different meal options that are quick and easy to prepare for each meal. 

Breakfast

1. Avocado toast

Ingredients: Whole grain bread, ripe avocado, lemon juice, salt, pepper, optional toppings (e.g., cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, poached egg).

Instructions:

1. Toast the bread.

2. Mash the avocado with lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread the avocado mixture on the toast.

4. Add optional toppings if desired.

2. Greek yogurt parfait

Ingredients: Greek yogurt, granola, fresh berries, honey.

Instructions:

1. Layer Greek yogurt, granola, and fresh berries in a bowl or glass.

2. Drizzle with honey.

Lunch

3. Caprese sandwich

Ingredients: Ciabatta or baguette, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil leaves, balsamic glaze, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Instructions:

1. Slice the bread, mozzarella, and tomatoes.

2. Layer mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil on the bread.

3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.

4. Season with salt and pepper, then close the sandwich.

4. Chicken caesar wrap

Ingredients: Tortillas, cooked chicken breast (sliced), Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, Parmesan cheese, croutons.

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, lettuce, Caesar dressing, and Parmesan cheese in a bowl.

2. Place the mixture on a tortilla, sprinkle with croutons, and wrap.

Dinner

5. Stir-fry vegetable and tofu

Ingredients: Firm tofu, mixed vegetables (e.g., bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas), soy sauce, garlic, ginger, olive oil, optional rice or noodles.

Instructions:

1. Press and cube the tofu.

2. Sauté tofu in olive oil until golden, then set aside.

3. In the same pan, add more oil, garlic, and ginger, then stir-fry vegetables until tender.

4. Return tofu to the pan, add soy sauce, and mix well.

5. Serve over cooked rice or noodles if desired.

6. Shrimp scampi

Ingredients: Shrimp (peeled and deveined), butter, garlic, lemon juice, white wine (optional), parsley, salt, pepper, cooked pasta or crusty bread.

Instructions:

1. Sauté garlic in butter until fragrant.

2. Add shrimp and cook until pink.

3. Add lemon juice, white wine (if using), salt, and pepper.

4. Garnish with parsley and serve over pasta or with crusty bread.

Snacks

7. Hummus and veggie platter

Ingredients: Hummus, assorted fresh vegetables (e.g., carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes), pita bread or crackers.

Instructions:

1. Arrange vegetables and pita bread or crackers on a platter.

2. Serve with hummus for dipping.

8. Fruit and nut mix

Ingredients: Assorted nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, cashews), dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, apricots).

Instructions:

1. Mix nuts and dried fruit in a bowl.

2. Store in an airtight container for a quick snack.

Dessert

9. Chocolate-dipped strawberries

Ingredients: Fresh strawberries, chocolate chips.

Instructions:

1. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave or a double boiler.

2. Dip strawberries in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper to cool and harden.

10. Yogurt and berry popsicles

Ingredients: Greek yogurt, honey, fresh berries.

Instructions:

1. Mix Greek yogurt and honey.

2. Layer yogurt mixture and fresh berries in popsicle molds.

3. Freeze until solid.

These recipes above are quick to prepare and offer a variety of flavours and nutrients for different meals throughout your day.