Chicken Nachos

Add any of your favorite toppings to create these easy Chicken Nachos! Chicken nachos are delicious, economical, and done in less than 30 minutes. Nachos can be made with any protein you like. Vegan? Use black beans for the protein. These Chicken Nachos are one of our favorites.

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The beauty of serving nachos for dinner is that they are totally customizable. Add any of your favorite toppings to create a culinary masterpiece. Economical and done in less than 30 minutes, fresh chicken.

They are not just great for a fast, easy dinner, though. Serve them as an appetizer at your next party, and everyone will be flocking around the table. Set up a toppings bar so that your guests can choose their favorite toppings. Eric, for instance, won’t eat them without extra sour cream for a topping.

What You Need for Chicken

• Chicken
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Black pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder

or substitute Adobo seasoning for spices.

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For chicken nachos

• Tortillas (you can use corn or flour)
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Cheese
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Black beans or refried beans

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Other Optional Toppings

• Avocado
• Cilantro
• Jalapenos
• Black olives
• Pickled red onions
• Pickled radish

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We end up having Mexican-style foods at least once a week. Besides being quick, easy, and tasty, they are naturally gluten-free and can easily be adapted to be lactose/dairy free!

Why Does This Recipe Work?

• Super easy.
• Done in less than 30 minutes.
• Customizable to your family’s individual tastes.
• Perfect use for any leftovers you have in the house.
• Can be reheated in the oven for about 10 minutes, until hot and crispy.

For the best flavor, use high-quality, organic chicken breasts or thighs, such as those from my ButcherBox order!

How to Make Chicken Nachos

I literally make nachos with whatever leftovers are in the house, too. If you are using leftover proteins, these will take you less than 15 minutes. Use beef, pork, venison, or chicken. If you are vegan, or just steering toward a more plant-based diet, substitute with beans.

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Tools That Make This Recipe Work

If you don’t already have these, this is where most people struggle

• Cast iron Frying Pan – Cooks the chicken evenly and helps develop the browned edges that add extra flavor. Without it, you may miss out on that savory texture that makes the topping stand out.
• Spatula – Makes it easy to stir, flip, and transfer ingredients without breaking them apart. Trying to manage everything with a spoon can get messy fast.
• Nonstick Sheet Pan Set – Gives the nachos plenty of room to bake in an even layer. Crowded or poorly suited pans can leave some chips overloaded while others barely get any toppings.
• Wood Cutting Board – Provides a stable surface for chopping chicken, vegetables, and garnishes. Working on an unstable or undersized surface slows prep and makes clean, uniform cuts more difficult.

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Tips for Your Success

• Use a nonstick sheet pan and spread the chips into an even layer before adding toppings. Stacking too many chips on top of each other leaves some loaded with toppings while others stay bare.
• Cook the chicken until it’s nicely browned before adding it to the nachos. Those caramelized bits add extra flavor and help the chicken stand out against the cheese and toppings.
• Use a spatula when stirring and transferring the chicken. It helps keep the pieces intact and makes it easier to scrape up all the flavorful bits from the pan.
• Add delicate toppings like tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, or avocado after baking. They stay fresher and provide a better contrast to the hot, melted cheese.
• Serve immediately after the nachos come out of the oven. Nachos are at their best when the chips are still crisp, and the cheese is hot and gooey.

FAQs

Can I make these chicken nachos ahead of time?
You can prep the chicken and toppings ahead, but assemble and bake right before serving. Nachos lose their crisp texture quickly once they sit.

What’s the best way to keep the chips from getting soggy?
Use a nonstick sheet pan and layer the chips evenly, then add hot toppings right before baking. Avoid overloading with wet ingredients like salsa or tomatoes before they go in the oven.

Can I use leftover or rotisserie chicken?
Yes, pre-cooked chicken works well. Just season it and warm it in a pan, and mix everything evenly before adding it to the nachos.

Storage

I used to discard leftover nachos, since the chips got soggy. The miraculous air fryer has changed that practice and saved on my grocery bill. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How to Reheat

Place the nachos in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 2-5 minutes. Air-fry the nachos for about 5 minutes, until hot and crispy.

Other Delicious Mexican Dishes

• Chicken Enchiladas
• Venison Slow Cooker Tacos
• Chorizo Tacos
• Chorizo Heuvos Rancheros
• Steak Taquitos
• Chicken Enchiladas Verdes

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