This easy chicken nachos recipe is perfect for a quick, flavorful meal. With tender, shredded chicken coated in a spicy sauce, layered with crispy tortilla chips and melted cheese, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Customize it with your favorite toppings like guacamole, sour cream, or pico de gallo for added flavor. Simple and delicious!
Ingredients Needed:
Chicken and Seasoning:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- Kosher salt, to taste
Sauce:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups hot water
- Several dashes hot sauce
Nacho Assembly:
- Tortilla chips
- 2 cups cheddar jack cheese, freshly grated
Optional Toppings:
- Pico de gallo
- Sour cream
- Sliced black olives
- Sliced green onions
- Cilantro leaves
- Guacamole
How To Cook Nachos Chicken:
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle taco seasoning and chili powder on both sides of the chicken breasts, rubbing in the seasonings well.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts for about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest for a few minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, whisk together tomato sauce, hot water, and hot sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low to keep warm. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
- Shred the Chicken: Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken. Add shredded chicken to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add more hot water and simmer for a few minutes.
- Assemble the Nachos: In a heat-proof dish, layer tortilla chips, shredded chicken, and cheese. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top. Microwave or bake in a 350°F oven until cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Serve the nachos hot with your choice of optional toppings. Enjoy immediately!
Recipe Tips
- Use Fresh Chicken: Fresh chicken breasts are best for flavor and texture. If possible, avoid using frozen chicken, as it can lead to uneven cooking.
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time: After cooking the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes before shredding. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the hot sauce to your liking. If you prefer milder nachos, use less hot sauce or choose a milder brand of taco seasoning.
- Layer Properly: When assembling the nachos, layer the chips, chicken, and cheese evenly. This ensures every chip gets covered with delicious toppings and melts evenly.
- Serve Immediately: Nachos are best when served right after they’re made. If they sit too long, the chips can get soggy. Serve with your favorite toppings for a fresh taste.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Put leftover chicken nachos in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. They are good for about 3 days.
- Freeze: It’s not a good idea to freeze leftover chicken nachos because the chips will get soggy. If you choose to freeze them, wrap them tightly in foil or use a freezer-safe container. You can freeze them for up to 2 months. To use, thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.
- Reheating: Microwave leftover chicken nachos on a plate for 1-2 minutes until hot. Or,reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 7 minutes until warmed and cheesy.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 350
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 920mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 20g
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Fried Steak Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Bbq Chicken Instant Pot
- Pioneer Woman Marry Me Chicken
- Pioneer Woman Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Cacciatore Slow Cooker
Pioneer Woman Nachos Chicken
Description
This easy chicken nachos recipe is perfect for a quick, flavorful meal. With tender, shredded chicken coated in a spicy sauce, layered with crispy tortilla chips and melted cheese, it’s a crowd-pleaser. Customize it with your favorite toppings like guacamole, sour cream, or pico de gallo for added flavor. Simple and delicious!
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning:
Sauce:
Nacho Assembly:
Optional Toppings:
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle taco seasoning and chili powder on both sides of the chicken breasts, rubbing in the seasonings well.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts for about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest for a few minutes.
- Prepare the Sauce: In the same skillet, whisk together tomato sauce, hot water, and hot sauce. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low to keep warm. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
- Shred the Chicken: Use two forks to shred the cooked chicken. Add shredded chicken to the sauce, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add more hot water and simmer for a few minutes.
- Assemble the Nachos: In a heat-proof dish, layer tortilla chips, shredded chicken, and cheese. Repeat layers, finishing with cheese on top. Microwave or bake in a 350°F oven until cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Serve the nachos hot with your choice of optional toppings. Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Use Fresh Chicken: Fresh chicken breasts are best for flavor and texture. If possible, avoid using frozen chicken, as it can lead to uneven cooking.
- Don’t Skip the Resting Time: After cooking the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes before shredding. This helps the juices redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the hot sauce to your liking. If you prefer milder nachos, use less hot sauce or choose a milder brand of taco seasoning.
- Layer Properly: When assembling the nachos, layer the chips, chicken, and cheese evenly. This ensures every chip gets covered with delicious toppings and melts evenly.
- Serve Immediately: Nachos are best when served right after they’re made. If they sit too long, the chips can get soggy. Serve with your favorite toppings for a fresh taste.
Pioneer Woman Nachos Chicken