Description
Chicken Nachos are a crunchy, cheesy, and spicy snack perfect for game day or casual gatherings. Loaded with seasoned shredded chicken, a blend of melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, jalapeños, black beans, and fresh garnishes like cilantro and green onions, they deliver a bold explosion of flavor in every bite. Easy to prepare and customizable, these nachos combine layers of crispy chips, juicy protein, and zesty toppings for the ultimate party pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- Sturdy, thick-cut tortilla chips (enough to cover a large baking dish)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast or thigh, shredded or diced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced fresh or pickled jalapeños
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup guacamole
Spices
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season cooked chicken with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Use leftover rotisserie chicken or sauté fresh chicken breasts, then shred into bite-sized pieces.
- Layer the Chips: Spread a generous layer of tortilla chips evenly on a large oven-safe tray or baking dish to form the base layer.
- Add Toppings: Evenly distribute the seasoned chicken over the chips, followed by black beans, diced tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños to balance heat and freshness.
- Sprinkle Cheese: Cover the topped chips generously with the cheese blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack to ensure gooey melted goodness.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the assembled nachos in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and chip edges begin to crisp.
- Finish with Fresh Garnishes: After baking, top with chopped green onions, fresh cilantro, dollops of sour cream, and creamy guacamole for added texture and freshness.
Notes
- Use thick, sturdy tortilla chips to prevent sogginess from the toppings.
- Layer ingredients evenly to distribute flavors and maintain chip crispness.
- Warm chicken and beans slightly before assembling for better melting and flavor integration.
- Adjust jalapeño slices and spices to customize the heat according to your preference.
- Leftover nachos keep best refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freeze cooked chicken separately for up to 3 months; reheat and assemble with fresh chips when ready.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness and melt cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg