A cheesy classic gets a makeover with protein-packed shredded chicken.
There’s nothing more annoying than not knowing what to eat when you’re hungry. When I’m undecided and nothing sounds appealing, there’s one meal I’m always happy to devour in absolutely any circumstance: nachos!
Whether I’m in the mood for a snack at a bar or want to enjoy all that crunchy, cheesy goodness at home, I can always count on nachos to be just the dish I need. And this recipe gives it a boost by adding shredded chicken breast, giving you an extra kick of healthy protein. All the other usual nacho toppings are here too: black beans, corn, tomatoes, avocados, jalapeño peppers, green onions, and cilantro. Oh, and lots of cheese, of course. No matter what you’re craving, this chicken nachos recipe is flexible too, so you can customize your toppings to your taste by either leaving some out or adding others that aren’t a part of this list.
One of my favorite ways to enjoy nachos at home is with friends, along with watching some highly anticipated TV. A big game, a season finale, an awards show, or maybe a movie that’s been on our watch lists forever. Any of these are a great occasion for getting together. It feels even more special when paired with a plate of shareable food that comes together super easily, like these chicken nachos. But if you’re looking to put a little bit of extra effort into your spread, you can always try making your own salsa. These recipes for Chipotle Salsa, Roasted Tomato Salsa, or Salsa Ranchera are sure to impress your guests!
Is This Chicken Nachos Recipe Healthy?
These chicken nachos are relatively healthy, especially compared to more popular nacho recipes that use ground beef instead of shredded chicken. Chicken breast is typically lower in calories and fat than ground beef. This recipe also includes a variety of vegetables that lend their own health benefits to the dish. Plus, protein is provided by the chicken as well as the black beans, which add fiber too. Health-conscious individuals may want to pay attention to the use of cheese and tortilla chips in the recipe, though. You could opt for baked tortilla chips and be sparing with the cheese if you’re looking to make some healthy tweaks.
The Secret To Perfect Nachos
It’s so satisfying when a nacho chip has the perfect ratio of cheese and toppings. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a way to make every nacho chip that perfect, rather than have a bunch that are just barely covered in cheese once you finish those sought-after loaded chips? Well, there actually is a way. The secret is to assemble your nachos in layers.
Rather than laying out all your chips at once and then covering them with all the toppings, it’s better to work with one layer of chips at a time. Arrange your tortilla chips in a single layer, then cover them with just enough toppings and cheese. Then repeat, and repeat again if you like. I’ll usually just do two layers, but it depends on the number of people you’re serving and the size of the baking sheet you’re using. Feel free to play around with it and see what works best for you.
How do I store leftovers?
Though it’s best to enjoy chicken nachos fresh, if you have leftovers, it’s quite easy to store them and reheat them again. Just store your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, then put them on a baking sheet again and bake in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350˚F, until they’re heated through. Keep in mind that reheated nachos might be soggier than when they’re eaten right away.
Serving Suggestions
You know what always goes well with nachos? A delicious, fruity cold drink! A margarita, for example, is always a good idea. And there are so many different ways to enjoy this classic beverage. Learn How To Make A Perfect Spicy Margarita, try the more elegant Cadillac Margarita Recipe, or play around with different flavor profiles with these recipes for an Easy Watermelon Margarita or a Pomegranate Margarita.
And what would a margarita be without people to share it with? As I mentioned, I love to make these chicken nachos when I’m entertaining friends at my place. If you want to do the same and are looking for more inspo, there are plenty of appetizers on FFF that fit the same bill. Don’t miss these recipes for Healthy Spinach Dip or Indian 7-Layer Dip.
Ingredients
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 10 ounces baked tortilla chips about 8 cups
- 2 1/4 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup canned black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 3/4 cups shredded reduced-fat cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tomato diced
- 2 avocados diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper sliced (optional)
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt for serving
- Salsa for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. If using frozen corn, thaw it.
- Arrange half of the tortilla chips on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle half of the shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and cheese over the chips.
- Add another layer of chips and top with the remaining chicken, black beans, corn, and cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with diced tomatoes, avocado, jalapeño slices, green onions, and cilantro. Serve immediately with nonfat Greek yogurt and salsa on the side.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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