This is my favorite recipe for the “What’s for dinner?” that hits me hard out of nowhere at 4:47 p. m. on a busy day. .
When life’s chaotic and your crew’s hungry, easy chicken nachos in the oven are the no-fuss, family-friendly dinner that actually gets rave reviews. This meal saves the day without taking long, even if I only have rotisserie chicken, taco meat, or a can of chicken in the pantry.
Oh, and here’s the best part? You can pile on whatever toppings your family actually likes. No side-eyes at dinner. Just crispy, cheesy, delicious goodness.
Chicken nachos are the ultimate game day snack. With melted cheese, spicy chicken, crispy tortilla chips, and tons of fresh toppings, homemade nachos are easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. Read on to learn all my tips and tricks for making the best chicken nachos at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making chicken nachos is simple because you likely have most of the ingredients on hand. Here’s what you’ll need
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Tortilla chips: Don’t use crumbly bagged chips; use restaurant-style tortilla chips instead. Look for chips without too much salt.
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Shredded chicken – Leftover roasted or grilled chicken works great Or quickly cook chicken breasts just for this recipe
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Cheese – Cheddar, monterey jack, pepper jack, mexican blend…use your favorite melting cheese or a combo.
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Toppings for nachos: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, olives, jalapeños, cilantro, green onions, and many more are possible.
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Taco seasoning: I like to mix chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, and salt to make my own seasoning blend.
How To Cook The Chicken
You can use leftover cooked chicken or quickly sauté raw chicken just for these nachos. To cook the chicken:
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Season boneless skinless chicken breasts with taco seasoning on both sides.
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Cook the chicken in a skillet with oil over medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.
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Let the chicken rest then shred with two forks into bite-size pieces.
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Toss the shredded chicken with a sauce made from tomato sauce, chicken broth, hot sauce, and spices.
Assemble And Bake The Nachos
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Preheat your oven to 350°F. You can also use a microwave to melt the cheese.
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On a baking sheet or oven-safe plate, layer half the chips in a single layer.
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Top with half the shredded chicken and half the cheese.
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Repeat with a second layer of chips, chicken, and cheese.
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Top with any other nacho toppings you want.
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Bake until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.
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Serve immediately, while hot and gooey.
Nacho Tips and Tricks
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Bake the nachos in batches for maximum crispiness. Reheat later batches in the oven.
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Layer toppings under and over the cheese so everything gets melted together.
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Use a mix of cheeses for more flavor.
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Add taco seasoning directly to the chicken and sauce for extra spice.
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Make it veggie nachos by using black beans instead of chicken.
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Fry the tortilla chips yourself for the freshest homemade taste.
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Add hot pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick.
Top Nacho Topping Combinations
The beauty of nachos is you can customize them with your favorite flavors. Try these tasty topping combos:
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Tex-Mex nachos: Cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, cilantro
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Supreme nachos: Pepper jack, black olives, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeños
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Southwestern nachos: Monterey jack, black beans, corn, avocado, lime wedge
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Cheese lover’s nachos: Cheddar, queso dip, parmesan, pickled jalapeños
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Greek nachos: Feta, kalamata olives, red onion, fresh oregano, lemon juice
Party-Ready Nacho Bar
For a fun party appetizer, set up a DIY nacho bar and let guests build their own nacho creations. Provide:
- Tortilla chips
- Shredded chicken
- An assortment of cheeses
- Suggested toppings in serving bowls
- Mini tongs for building
- Small plates for easy noshing
Storing and Reheating Leftover Nachos
Leftover chicken nachos won’t have quite the same crispiness but still taste delicious:
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Store leftover baked nachos in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
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To reheat, place nachos on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F until hot, about 15 minutes.
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Individual slices can also be reheated quickly in the microwave.
So now you’re ready to make the yummiest chicken nachos ever! This easy appetizer is sure to be a hit any time of year. Customize with your favorite toppings and enjoy immediately out of the oven for maximum enjoyment. ¡Buen provecho!
Tips for the Best Chicken Nachos
- Use thick chips. All that flavor will make thin tortilla chips fall apart. It saves time to use a rotisserie chicken. Just season it with Rotel and bake it until golden. Melt it up with double the cheese: mix Monterey Jack and cheddar. Using foil or parchment paper makes cleanup easier and the chips crispier. Only bake what needs to melt; keep guacamole and sour cream cold and creamy.
- BBQ Chicken Nachos: For a smokey taste, coat chicken in BBQ sauce. To make ground chicken nachos taste even better, brown them with onion and taco seasoning. Once you season them right, canned chicken nachos are quick, easy, and surprisingly tasty! Sheet pan chicken nachos are great for feeding a lot of people and are easy to clean up. White Chicken Nachos: Use white queso instead of cheddar.
- Perfect for game nights or movie marathons. Set up a nacho bar for a DIY dinner win. For a full meal, serve with Mexican rice or a simple green salad.
- Leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to two days in a container that doesn’t let air in. If I make a lot of shredded chicken, it will sometimes last for four days. I’ve made it this far, but you can do it too. To keep them crisp, put them back in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving—unless you like sad, soggy chips.
Nachos in the Oven
- You can use shredded chicken, ground chicken, rotisserie chicken, BBQ chicken, or any other chicken you have in the fridge.
- Super Quick: Less than 30 minutes start to finish.
- No complaints: Everyone can make their own plate and leave out things they don’t like.
- Picky eaters and kids alike will love this meal. Who says dinner can’t be fun and filling?
Chicken Nachos
FAQ
What are the ingredients for chicken nachos?
Chicken nachos typically include tortilla chips, shredded chicken (either cooked separately or from a rotisserie), cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend), and various toppings.
What is the secret to making good nachos?
Don’t overcrowd your nachos. Build them on a cookie tray in layers–first tortilla chips, then grated cheese, followed by a two or three minutes in a very hot oven to quickly melt the cheese on the first layer. Then take it out of the oven and repeat with more layers.
Do you put meat on nachos before cooking?
How to Make NachosMake the seasoned ground beef and refried bean mixture. Brown the ground beef; add taco seasoning, refried beans, and water; and cook until warmed through. Layer chips, cheese, and the beef-and-bean mixture. Bake.
How to prepare homemade nachos?
MethodTip tortilla chips on to a baking tray, pour over salsa and scatter over a few sliced spring onions. Grate over a good chunk of cheese (fontina is perfect, but cheddar will do). Add a pinch of crushed chilli flakes, then put under a hot grill for about 3 minutes to melt the cheese.