These Loaded Chicken Nachos are a cheesy and flavor-packed recipe that everyone will go crazy over at parties, gameday, and potlucks! Such a crowd pleaser!
If you’re looking for delicious sides to wow your guests, try our cheesy mushroom pinwheels and jalapeno spinach artichoke dip.
A big thank you to Darigold for sponsoring this chicken nachos recipe!
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
I love these Loaded Chicken Nachos because there is something in them for everyone. The mix of flavors, textures, and general yumminess makes them everyone’s favorite appetizer.
- TASTE: These Loaded Chicken Nachos have a little bit of everything – salty, sweet, spicy, savory, and tangy. You are going to love these flavors together.
- TEXTURE: The crunch of the chips goes perfectly with the gooey cheese, tender chicken, creamy sour cream, and crisp, juicy veggie toppings.
- TIME: This recipe only takes 25 minutes.
- EASE: It’s so easy to put this dish together. The step-by-step instructions and photos will have you serving up the absolute best nacho plates.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Tortilla chips- Any corn tortilla chips will work here. These form the base of your nachos, so look for sturdy ones that will hold up under the weight of your toppings.
- Chicken- You’ll use shredded chicken. You can get it from a store-bought rotisserie chicken or chicken breast that has been homecooked and then shredded.
- Cheese- I used a medium cheddar for the cheese. You can use other varieties, but look for ones that melt well.
- Seasoning- Use a store-bought or homemade taco seasoning to give your Loaded Chicken Nachos amazing flavor.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute different meat- If you’re out of chicken, you can make this recipe with ground beef, ground turkey, bacon, or steak.
- Add other toppings- Make these into BBQ chicken nachos with just some BBQ sauce. Or try buffalo sauce and sour cream. Or sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream for a healthier option.
- Substitute different chips- Besides tortilla chips, you could also make these with veggie chips, like sweet potato or taro, or use potato chips for “Irish nachos.”
- Use different cheeses- Try this dish with sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, pepper jack, asiago, American, or manchego cheese.
How to Make Loaded Chicken Nachos
- Season the chicken. First, you’ll want to combine the chicken and taco seasoning in a large skillet over medium heat with olive oil until the chicken is warmed through. Then set it aside for later.
- Layer the nachos. In the same skillet, add your tortilla chips, chicken, shredded and cheese. Then add the black beans, olives, and corn. Then repeat this step again as a second layer.
- Bake. Now bake the nachos in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, until the cheese melts.
- Add toppings. Top them with your favorite toppings, such as jalapenos, fresh cilantro, sour cream, and cherry tomatoes. Serve.
Pro Tip: I like to shred my cheese with this box grater to get the right size and the best melt.
Recipe Tips
- Use white meat chicken- Even if you are a dark meat fan, white meat tends to have less stringy tendons and fat, making it better for nachos. You can make your own Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast or Smoked Chicken Breast and shred it.
- Use strong tortilla chips– Not all tortilla chips are created equal and some are very delicate. Look for thicker ones that will be able to hold your toppings without breaking.
- Shred your own cheese- Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but the cheese is tossed in starch to keep it from sticking together in the package. This hinders it melting, so shredding your own from a block is best.
- Layer the nachos- Making multiple layers of cheese, chips, and chicken means having more delicious bites throughout. No one like getting halfway through, only to have just dry chips!
FAQs
Baking the nachos for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt will help keep your loaded chicken nachos from getting soggy. The melted cheese covers the chips, acting as a buffer between them and the toppings you add.
The best cheese for nachos are cheddar, American, and Monterey jack because they melt really well. You can also make a cheese sauce for your nachos by melting your grated cheese over low heat. Always shred your own cheese so it melts well.
Serving Suggestions
These Loaded Chicken Nachos are a fun and delicious appetizer that goes well with everything. Here are some great dishes to pair them with.
- Meats: Serve these nachos with BBQ Chicken Wings, Chicken and Mushroom Phyllo Appetizers (VIDEO), Garlic Butter Steak Bites, and Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Quinoa.
- Fries: Pair them with The BEST Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Potato Wedges Zucchini Fries, or Crispy Air Fryer French Fries.
- Sandwiches: Enjoy them with a Turkey Croissant Sandwich, Classic BLT Sandwich, Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Sandwich, or Grilled Cheese Sandwich.
- Tacos: Try these Loaded Chicken Nachos alongside Delicious Flank Steak Tacos, Fish Tacos, Taco Salad, or extra chips with this Seven Layer Taco Dip.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can pre-season the chicken and shred the cheese, placing them in airtight containers in the fridge. You can also prep the toppings ahead of time. But don’t assemble the nachos until you’re ready to serve.
Storing: If you have leftover nachos, place them in an airtight container or cover them with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit in a skillet or on a baking sheet pan for about 5-10 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Add toppings and enjoy.
Freeze: The chicken and cheese can be frozen, but I don’t advise freezing these Loaded Chicken Nachos. Some of the toppings would not thaw well, so it’s better to only make as much as you’ll be able to eat.
More Yummy Appetizers!
Watch how to make these chicken nachos here:
Full Recipe Instructions
Chicken Nachos
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 13 oz Tortilla chips divided
- 2 cups Shredded chicken
- 1 tbsp Taco seasoning
- 3 cups medium cheddar divided
- 1 cup Corn divided
- 15 oz Black beans divided
- 3.8 oz sliced Olives divided
- 1/2 cup Cherry tomatoes
- Sour cream to taste
- 1 Jalapeño sliced
- 1/4 cup Cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Start off by adding 1 tbsp olive oil to a 12-inch oven-safe safe skillet. Bring the heat to medium and add 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken. Give the chicken a quick stir and add 1 tbsp of taco seasoning. Continue cooking until the chicken is warmed through.
- Now remove your chicken to a separate bowl and set it aside for later. In the same skillet add an even layer of tortilla chips (about half of a 13 oz bag)
- Then add 1 cup of the cooked chicken. Now shred 3 cups of medium cheddar using a box grater and add only 1 1/2 cups on top of the chicken.
- Next, you’ll add half of a 15 oz can of black beans, half a can of 3.8 oz olives, and half of the thawed corn.
- Now begin your second layer in the same order: remaining bag of chips, 1 cup of chicken, 1 1/2 cups of cheese, and the second half black beans, olives, and corn. Bake the nachos at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Meanwhile, slice up 1 jalapeño, 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, and roughly chop 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro. Now top your baked nachos with the sliced tomatoes, Jalapeños, sour cream, and chopped cilantro. Enjoy the nachos while they are warm.
Notes
- Use white meat chicken- Even if you are a dark meat fan, white meat tends to have less stringy tendons and fat, making it better for nachos. You can make your own Juicy Air Fryer Chicken Breast or Smoked Chicken Breast and shred it.
- Use strong tortilla chips– Not all tortilla chips are created equal and some are very delicate. Look for thicker ones that will be able to hold your toppings without breaking.
- Shred your own cheese- Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but the cheese is tossed in starch to keep it from sticking together in the package. This hinders it from melting, so shredding your own from a block is best.
Nutrition
- Smoked Salmon Salad - May 31, 2023
- Garlic Aioli - May 30, 2023
- Strawberry Feta Spinach Salad - May 27, 2023
Diane says
I had some leftover rotisserie chicken from dinner the other day and decided to use it up in these chicken nachos. Wow, this was so delicious. I loaded the nachos with a lot of toppings. It was hard to stop eating it! Great recipe, thank you!
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Diane, I am so glad you stumbled upon this recipe. This our go-to recipe for repurposing chicken leftovers! So cheesy and delicious 🙂
Valentina @ Valentina's Corner says
Can’t wait to try these loaded nachos. I love the added chicken to the recipe.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you, Valentina! These chicken nachos will become your go-to busy weeknight dinner!
Fiona Manoon says
Just Loved it !!
Quite interesting and creative recipe.
It looks tempting .
I would love to try this out.
Thanks for sharing !!
keep Posting !!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Fiona, I hope you enjoy these chicken nachos as much as we did 🙂