Loaded BBQ Chicken Nachos are the perfect appetizer or easy dinner! Crispy tortilla chips topped with BBQ chicken, smoked cheese, and black beans, corn, jalapeños, and ranch.
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BBQ Chicken Nachos are one of my favorite ways to enjoy tortilla chips! A big bed of crispy chips piled high with tender BBQ chicken, black beans, melted cheese, sweet corn, spicy jalapeños, and fresh toppings is hard to beat. We have made these nachos at home time and time again, and they never disappoint. Every time they come out of the oven, they are devoured and loved by everyone around the table.
If you love bold BBQ flavors, be sure to try my BBQ Chicken Sliders and BBQ Chicken and Potatoes Skillet. They are two more easy, family-favorite recipes packed with smoky barbecue flavor.
Reader Review: "I made these for dinner and they were so good. They were all eaten with no leftovers!!" - Melissa
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for BBQ Lovers - If you love smoky barbecue flavor, these BBQ Chicken Nachos are loaded with everything you crave.
- Easy to Make - This recipe comes together quickly using simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy week nights.
- Customizable for Everyone - You can add your favorite toppings, adjust the spice level, or switch up the cheese to create nachos your whole family will enjoy.
- Perfect for Sharing - Whether you are feeding a crowd for game day or hosting a backyard gathering, these loaded nachos are always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- Tortilla Chips: The base of the nachos, choose your favorite chip.
- Chicken: Cooked and diced. I cooked chicken in the air fryer for this recipe.
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite sauce since it is the main flavor in the recipe.
- Smoked Cheese: I used Monterrey Jack for this.
- Red Onion: To add a little crunch and bite to balance out the richness of the cheese.
- Black Beans: Rinse and drain to add some texture.
- Corn: Sweet corn provides a pop of sweetness.
- Cilantro: Fresh Cilantro adds brightness and a finish to every bite.
- Pickled Jalapeños: These bring just the right amount of tangy heat.
- Ranch Dressing: To provide a cool, creamy finish.
Tim's Tip: Build your nachos evenly! Spread the toppings across the tortilla chips so every bite is loaded with BBQ chicken, cheese, and toppings. Making sure every chip gets its share of goodness.
How to Make Loaded BBQ Chicken Nachos
1. Prep - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. Make the Chicken Mixture - In a medium bowl, toss the diced cooked chicken with ¾ cup BBQ Sauce until every piece is evenly coated.
3. Assemble the Nachos - Spread the tortilla chips into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Top with the BBQ chicken, black beans, diced red onion, corn, and shredded smoked cheese.
4. Bake- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
5. Finish and Serve- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with ranch dressing. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and top with pickled jalapeños.
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Substitutions and Variations
- Cheese Options - You can customise with your favorite cheese. Classic cheddar cheese, spicy Pepper Jack Cheese, or use a blend of cheeses for an ultimate melty topping.
- Make them Spicy - Turn up the heat by adding extra pickled jalapeños or fresh sliced jalapeños. Drizzle with your favorite hot sauce or use a spicy BBQ sauce for an extra kick.
- Add More Toppings - You can make this your own by adding diced tomatoes, green onions, guacamole, sour cream, and pickled onions.
- Make them on the Grill - For a fun outdoor twist, make these into griddle nachos by assembling them in a grill-safe pan and cooking them on the grill until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Expert Tips
- Season Your Chicken: I seasoned boneless chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and salt before cooking them in the air fryer. Leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken also works well, making this recipe even quicker.
- Freshly Shred the Cheese: For the creamiest, best- melting cheese, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
- Serve Right Away: Loaded BBQ Chicken Nachos are best enjoyed fresh from the oven while the cheese is hot and gooey and the chips are still crisp.
- Don't Overload the Chips: Adding too much BBQ sauce or piling on excessive toppings can make the tortilla chips soggy. Keep the layers balanced so every bite stays crispy and delicious.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Nachos
These loaded nachos make a great meal or party appetizer alongside some of these favorites:
- Black Bean Corn Salsa Dip
- Jalapeño Ranch Dip
- 4-Ingredient Guacamole
- Pickled Onions make a great topping!
- BBQ Chicken Sliders
Storage
Refrigeration: Store leftover nachos in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The chips will soften, but they'll still taste great.
Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 5-8 minutes until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if possible; it makes the chips soft and chewy.
FAQs
You can prepare the toppings ahead of time, including cooking the chicken and chopping the vegetables. For the best results, assemble and bake the nachos right before serving so the chips stay crisp.
To keep the nachos crispy, avoid adding too much BBQ Sauce directly to the chips and don't overload them with toppings. Build balanced layers and serve immediately after baking.
Absolutely! BBQ Chicken Nachos are a great way to use leftover chicken. Grilled chicken, smoked chicken, shredded chicken, or rotisserie chicken all work great in the recipe.
More Delicious BBQ Recipes
Recipe
BBQ Chicken Nachos
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 4 cups Cooked Chicken
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 13 oz Tortilla Chips one large bag
- 2 cups Smoked Monterey Jack Cheese
- ⅓ cup Red Onion Diced
- 15 oz Can of Black Beans
- 1 cup Corn Frozen
- ¼ cup Cilantro Diced
- ½ cup Picked Jalapeños
- ½ cup Ranch Dressing Optional
Instructions
- Prep - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Make the Chicken Mixture - In a medium bowl, toss the diced cooked chicken with 1 cup of BBQ Sauce until every piece is evenly coated. 4 cups Cooked Chicken 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- Assemble the Nachos - Spread the tortilla chips into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Top with the BBQ chicken, black beans, diced red onion, corn, and shredded smoked cheese. 13 oz Tortilla Chips 2 cups Smoked Monterey Jack Cheese 15 oz Can of Black Beans ⅓ cup Red Onion 1 cup Corn
- Bake- Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.
- Finish and Serve- Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle with ranch dressing. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and top with pickled jalapeños. ½ cup Ranch Dressing ½ cup Picked Jalapeños ¼ cup Cilantro
Video
Notes
- Season Your Chicken: I seasoned boneless chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and salt before cooking them in the air fryer. Leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken also works well and makes this recipe even quicker.
- Freshly Shred the Cheese: For the creamiest, best- melting cheese, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
- Serve Right Away: BBQ Chicken Nachos are best enjoyed fresh from the oven while the cheese is hot and gooey and the chips are still crisp.
- Don't Overload the Chips: Adding too much BBQ sauce or piling on excessive toppings can make the tortilla chips soggy. Keep the layers balanced so every bite stays crispy and delicious.
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