Are you wondering how to make chicken nachos like Mexican restaurants? Try this easy Smoky Chicken Nachos recipe! This Tex-Mex favorite is great for busy nights, game days, or for big groups. And the best bit? Cooking is simple and quick.
Serve these nachos up with an Easy Guacamole Recipe or Tomatillo Green Chili Salsa. Or try our Turkey Chili Nachos for another great nibble!!
Another fun recipe to try is a take on nachos with this recipe for Totchos!! Give it a try, delicious!!
Helpful Items For This Recipe
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Aluminum Commercial Baker’s Half Sheet, 2 Count (Pack of 1), Silver
200 Pcs Parchment Paper Baking Sheets, 12×16 Inches Non-Stick Precut
What Goes in Chicken Nachos?
To make loaded chicken nachos, you need some things from your pantry and also fresh foods.
Smoky Chicken Nachos Ingredients
Tortilla chips – pick your favorite brand!
Shredded Mexican cheese blend – you can replace it with any shredded cheddar.
Cooked, shredded chicken – in a pinch? Use leftover rotisserie chicken.
Smoked Gouda – or any smoked cheese. Don’t forget the most important part of the recipe!!
Cherry tomatoes – or any fresh tomatoes.
Green onion – provides lots of flavor, so consider it a must!
Jalapenos – I used fresh ones, but pickled ones work just fine.
Smoked paprika – replace with chili powder if desired, but the smoky flavor just adds so much.
Salsa – You can use store-bought or homemade canned tomato salsa.
Sour cream – as it adds a luscious creamy texture.
Guacamole – because everything is better with guacamole.
What to put on chicken nachos?
Shredded chicken nachos are great because you can make them how you like. When your base is done, you can add different things to make them even better.
Here are a few ideas:
– Black beans, for a fulfilling bite
– Red bell peppers, diced
– Pico de Gallo, for a big taste
– Chili powder or cayenne pepper, for a spicy zing
– A bit of lime juice, for a hint of tanginess
How to make chicken nachos in the oven
Heat oven to 350F. Put parchment paper on a baking sheet.
Add nachos, chicken, tomatoes, jalapenos, onion, and cheese.
Sprinkle with smoked paprika or chili powder. Bake for 10 minutes or until cheese has melted. Brown under a broiler for a minute.
Use paper to transfer the nachos to a plate. Serve with sour cream, salsa, and guac.
Recipe Pro Tips!
What is the secret to making good nachos?
Making the best chicken nachos is simple to achieve; just follow these few tips:
– Get strong restaurant-style or thick corn chips that can hold all the tasty toppings and melted cheese without getting wet.
– Don’t accept boring chicken. You can level up your meal when you cook chicken breasts and coat them with taco seasoning or a spice rub for extra flavor instead of using rotisserie chicken.
– Don’t use pre-shredded cheese! Freshly grated cheese melts better and tastes creamier. For an added flavor kick, use a mix of cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack.
In what order do you layer nachos?
First, add a layer of nachos to your sheet pan. Then, add cooked chicken with the remaining fresh ingredients, and lastly, the cheese.
Feel free to include other delicious toppings to your liking.
NACHOS, NACHOS, NACHOS!! WANT MORE?
We love nachos and serve them up frequently. Here are some of our favorite recipes.
Smoky Chicken Nachos
Ingredients
- 8 oz corn tortilla chips
- 1 cup cooked chicken shredded
- 1 1/2 cups Mexican cheese blend shredded
- 1 cup smoked Gouda shredded
- 12 cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 green onion sliced
- 1 jalapeno pepper sliced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup guacamole optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Place parchment paper in a broiler pan and layer on nachos, chicken, tomatoes, jalapenos, green onion, and lastly the cheeses.
- Use your discretion on the amount you would like. Sprinkle with the smoked paprika.
- Bake for 10 minutes and then finish off under the broiler to brown slightly, about 2 minutes. Using the parchment paper, transfer nachos onto a serving platter.
- Serve with sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
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