Chicken Nachos recipe (2024)

Chicken Nachos is everything you know and love about nachos, made withjuicy shredded Mexican CHICKEN! With mandatory melted cheese, quick guac and a dollop of sour cream, this nachos recipe is weekend worthy yet easy enough for dinner midweek.

Chicken Nachos recipe (1)

You’ll love how juicy and flavour loaded the chicken is!

Chicken Nachos

I have it in my head that when most people think of nachos, they automatically think of a ground beef/ mince topping, like this Beef Nachos.

I have absolutely nothing to back me up on that statement, it’s just my personal opinion. 😇

So the entire premise on which I’m sharing this CHICKEN nachos recipe is that it’s something a little bit different to the usual. A nachos so outrageously delicious, a certain food blogger was inhaling pictured nachos like she was never going to eat again.

Lift / munch / eat / repeat. Nowthat’s an arm workout I’m happy to do many reps of!

Chicken Nachos recipe (2)

Chicken Nachos ingredients

So here’s what goes in my Chicken Nachos. I make it with just essential toppings because the chicken itself is loaded with great flavour.

1. Juicy shredded Mexican Chicken – the exact same recipe I use for Chicken Tacos, except I reduce the sauce down a bit more (thicker sauce = crisper chips)

2. Quick Guac – it’s a dump and mash job. Potato masher, to be exact. Avocado, coriander/cilantro, lime, salt and pepper, mash as you would potato. Very effective!

3. Cheese – a nachos without cheese doesn’t exist in my world 😇

4. Jalapeno, coriander/cilantro and sour cream – basic toppings. A touch of freshness goes a long way with nachos!

Chicken Nachos recipe (3)

Best cheese for nachos?

My favourite cheese for Nachos is Monterey Jack because it has flavour with a bit of stretch like Mozzarella, and it melts well without going greasy but doesn’t get that crusty brown top like Mozz (which is not a good thing for nachos, can end up pulling entire layer of cheese off).

Cheddar, tasty cheese, Colby and shredded Mexican Cheese blends are also firm faves, but any melting cheese will do here.

🇦🇺Australia – I get Monterey Jack and shredded Mexican Cheese blends at Costco. Excellent value – and the shredded cheese freezes 100%.

Chicken for Nachos

And here are the ingredients that go in the chicken for Nachos which, as mentioned above, is the exact same recipe I use for Chicken Tacos. (PS For the chicken, thigh, breast or tenderloin all work great here)

Chicken Nachos recipe (4)

Chicken Nachos recipe (5)

How I make nachos in the oven

This recipe is a nachos that’s baked in the oven, but I’m also going to tell you how to make itin themicrowave.Because while one might turn their nose up at the thought of microwave nachos, it’s a damn convenient option to have for various circ*mstances one might encounter in life (including emergency munchies, and also the millions / billions of people in the world who don’t have ovens eg. much of Asia).

To bake it in the oven, it’s as simple as a double layer situation: chips -> chicken -> cheese -> repeat -> bake 5 minutes.

Chicken Nachos recipe (6)

Guess what? Nachos chips DO NOT GO SOGGY if you microwave them! Cheese melts darn fast in the microwave. 🙂 Way faster than it takes for corn chips to become soggy!

How to make nachos in themicrowave

To make nachos in the microwave:

And here’s proof that the chips don’t go soggy – all the cheese pull shots were done with a quick microwave to remelt the cheese. And it took many MANY takes!!😂

Chicken Nachos recipe (7)

Chicken Nachos recipe (8)

A big, fat, juicy, cheesy nachos recipe

I am a firm believer that a Nachos should be able to stand on its own two feet even without extra toppings like guacamole and sour cream.

So I promise you this – the chicken topping for this nachos recipe has flavour aplenty, plus it’s nice and juicy so you’d happily devour this nachos even if you find yourself short on toppings.

As long as you have cheese.

I take no responsibility for devourability if you attempt this without cheese! ~ Nagi x

More weekend worthy munchies

  • Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread – if you haven’t tried it, you haven’t lived…

  • Homemade Movie Popcorn – ultra buttery, and stays crisp for DAYS!

  • Spring Rolls!PS They can even be baked!

  • Truly Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings

  • Crispy Roasted Parmesan Potatoes– seriously so good to munch on as a snack!

  • Browse for more Weekend Munchies

Chicken Nachos recipe (9)

For complete transparency – the nachos you see in the video is about 2/3 of the recipe below which serves 4. I wanted it to fit on a cake pan so it looked decent for photos, rather than having a pile in the middle of a baking tray.

But of course, as it always happens when I try to be efficient and do the photos and video using the same batch, the nachos was completely butchered after shooting the video so I had to make itagain for photos!

Watch how to make it

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Chicken Nachos recipe (10)

Chicken Nachos

Author: Nagi

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 10 minutes mins

Total: 25 minutes mins

Mains

Mexican, Tex-Mex

4.96 from 41 votes

Servings4

Tap or hover to scale

Print

Recipe video above.Crispy chips loaded with juicy Mexican shredded chicken, plenty of melted cheese and toppings of choice. Your new favourite way with nachos! This chicken is a terrific all-purpose Mexican chicken, especially great in Tacos.

Ingredients

Nachos

  • 250g / 8 oz tortilla or plain corn chips (Note 1)
  • Shredded chicken for nachos , recipe follows
  • 250g / 8 oz (2.5 cups) shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (Note 2)
  • Quick guacamole , recipe follows
  • Toppings: Sour cream, Coriander / cilantro leaves, Jalapeno , sliced or chopped

Chicken for Nachos

  • 700 g / 1.2 lb chicken thighs or breast , skinless boneless (Note 3)
  • 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup (250ml) chicken broth, separated (liquid stock)

Homemade Nachos Meat Seasoning

  • 3 tbsp lime juice (Note 4)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves , minced
  • 2 tsp EACH garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano
  • 3 tsp EACH cumin powder, paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp salt and pepper , each

Quick Guacamole

  • 2 avocados , medium
  • 3 tbsp coriander/cilantro , roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp lime juice (1 large)

Instructions

Chicken for Nachos

  • Place Nachos Seasoning ingredients in a bowl. Add 2 tbsp of the chicken broth and mix to form a loose paste.

  • Add chicken, turn to coat in paste.

  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Cook chicken for 3 minutes on each side (reserve paste left in bowl).Remove chicken into a shallow dish.

  • Return skillet to stove. Add remaining chicken broth, tomato paste, sugar and scrape in any paste left in the bowl. Mix to dissolve, scraping base of pan, and bring to simmer.

  • Meanwhile, shred chicken with forks, or chop (don't worry if raw inside).

  • Return chicken into sauce, toss and simmer for 3 minutes until sauce reduces down to a thick sauce. Adjust salt to taste. Keep warm.

Quick Guacamole:

  • Place ingredients in a bowl. Use potato masher to mash to desired consistency. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Nachos:

  • Preheat oven to 180C/350F.

  • Place half the corn chips slightly overlapping on a tray. Top with half the (warm) chicken and cheese.

  • Top with remaining chips and cheese. Bake 7 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

  • Garnish with coriander/cilantro and jalapeño. Serve immaterial with quick Guacamole and sour cream.

Recipe Notes:

1. Corn Chips -use sturdy chips that can hold up to the weight of all the toppings! I like lightly salted or even unsalted - I find full salt corn chips too salty with all the toppings and cheese. Favourites - Natures Earth from Harris Farms, Tostitos lightly salted Tortilla Chipsand Macro Organic Corn Chips(latter 2 from Woolies, Coles). But Doritos and other mainstream brands will do in a pinch!

2. Cheese - my favourite cheese for Nachos is Monterey Jack* (see post for more info). Cheddar, tasty cheese, Colby and shredded Mexican Cheese* blends are also firm faves, but any melting cheese will do here. I skip mozzarella because it doesn't have as much flavour as other cheese.

* ??Australia - Get these at Costco

3. Precooked meat -make this with any shredded or diced precooked chicken or other meat (eg Carnitas) that's not overly seasoned with other flavours as follows: Make seasoning paste per recipe, toss through cooked meat, then sear lightly in the pan to reheat and make a bit golden. Remove from pan, and proceed with recipe as written. If precooked meat is already well seasoned, scale back the salt & spices in this recipe slightly (use recipe scaler at top of recipe card)

4. Lime juice - loads of sub options here, just need something to help make a loose paste that adds either sour OR sweet. Lemon juice, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or even orange or apple juice, or other plain fruit juice (can't taste it at the end). If using a fruit juice can probably skip sugar in sauce. Last resort - just add tiny splash of water.

5. Nutritionper serving, includes chicken, corn chips, cheese and guacamole. Excludes sour cream.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 754cal (38%)Carbohydrates: 56g (19%)Protein: 37g (74%)Fat: 44g (68%)Saturated Fat: 6g (38%)Cholesterol: 142mg (47%)Sodium: 1066mg (46%)Potassium: 1134mg (32%)Fiber: 10g (42%)Sugar: 4g (4%)Vitamin A: 400IU (8%)Vitamin C: 17.9mg (22%)Calcium: 140mg (14%)Iron: 3.6mg (20%)

Keywords: chicken nachos, nachos recipe

Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Life of Dozer

I went to the bathroom and came back to find him in THIS position….

Note the fluffy white blanket at the bottom. That covers HIS designated section of the sofa. So not only has he left drool on my MacBook, he’s breached his sofa boundary.

Naughty Dozer!

Chicken Nachos recipe (11)

Chicken Nachos recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to crispy nachos? ›

Limiting the number of ingredients baked with the chips is the key to crispiness. Top chips with no more than two or three toppings. Choose from items such as black beans, refried beans, chopped grilled chicken, seasoned ground beef (browned and drained), or chopped jalapenos.

How do you make nachos not soggy in the oven? ›

* To prevent the chips from getting soggy, sprinkle grated or crumbled cheese on top and bake them in the oven for a few minutes. When melted, the cheese will act as a buffer between the chips and toppings. * The chips should to be heated evenly and the cheese well melted.

Do you put meat or cheese first on nachos? ›

Start with a base of tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, jalapeño, and any warm fillings like meats and veggies. Once the cheese melts, remove from the oven, add another layer, and repeat.

How to make nachos like a pro? ›

Nachos
  1. Step 1 Preheat oven to 425º. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil. ...
  2. Step 2Add garlic and taco seasoning; season with salt. ...
  3. Step 3Arrange half of tortilla chips on a foil-lined baking sheet. ...
  4. Step 4Bake nachos until cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
Apr 8, 2024

What is the best cheese to melt for nachos? ›

Sharp cheddar gets my vote for nacho cheese. It melts smoothly without being stringy, while having a nice flavorful punch. You can use mild or medium cheddar if you prefer, but the flavor will be a bit blander. Monterey jack and pepper jack also melt really well into sauces and make a great white nacho cheese sauce.

What are the proper layers for nachos? ›

Arrange half of tortilla chips onto prepared baking sheet in single layer, overlapping chips slightly. Top with half each of meat mixture, corn and black beans. Top with 2 cups cheese. Repeat Step 3 to create second layer with remaining beef, corn, beans and cheese.

Is it better to bake or broil nachos? ›

Bake, don't broil. Some nacho recipes will call for broiling, but we usually recommend baking instead. It may take a bit longer, but the cheese will melt more evenly, and the toppings will warm up thoroughly this way. If you do choose to broil, be sure to keep a close eye on the nachos, as they can burn quickly.

What temperature should nachos be cooked at? ›

I bake my nachos in the oven at 350 degrees for anywhere between 3-15 minutes. A quarter sheet or half sheet baking pan works perfectly for this recipe. The amount and kind of toppings you have can greatly impact the cooking time. Start checking it at three minutes.

How do you know when nachos are done? ›

Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the chips begin to toast. Once the nachos are done cooking, remove from the oven and top with any additional ingredients.

Do tomatoes go on nachos before or after cooking? ›

To achieve this, put one layer of chips on a baking sheet, then cover with cheese and toppings. Repeat until you've used everything up so that every bite is the same from beginning to end. Sprinkle on fresh toppings like cilantro, scallions, tomatoes, and pickled jalapenos on after the nachos come out of the oven.

Do you put salsa on nachos before cooking? ›

Method
  1. Tip tortilla chips on to a baking tray, pour over salsa and scatter over a few sliced spring onions.
  2. 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.

What is the secret to making good nachos? ›

The best nachos feature a mix of cooked and fresh ingredients, such as grilled shrimp and cilantro. Yet it's best to keep hot and cold separate throughout the preparation process, so fresh herbs and green onions don't wilt from heat, and guacamole and sour cream don't liquefy.

What is the best thing to put on nachos? ›

Pico de gallo (store bought or fresh), guacamole, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, diced onions and tomatoes, and fresh cilantro are classic fresh nacho toppings to sprinkle over top.

What is the perfect chip for nachos? ›

Best Tortilla Chips for Nachos: Santitas Tortilla Triangles

These chips don't have a ton of flavor on their own, but the crispness and sturdiness of these chips make them the perfect vehicle for carrying hefty dips or nachos loaded with all of the toppings you enjoy.

How to make soggy nachos crispy? ›

How to reheat nachos in the oven: the best method
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
  2. Spread the nachos out on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
  3. If desired, sprinkle a small handful of cheese on top of the nachos. ...
  4. Bake the nachos for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the chips are crispy.
Aug 29, 2023

How to make soggy chips crispy? ›

* Spread the soggy chips evenly on a baking sheet. * Bake for 5–10 minutes, keeping an eye on them until they become crispy again. * Remove from the oven and let them cool for a minute or two before serving.

How to make store bought tortilla chips crispy? ›

The oven is your friend

Just spread store-bought tortilla chips on a sheet pan and bake them at 350°F until they're warm, about 5 minutes. "They also begin to get a little toasty on the edges, which I love.

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