Spicy BBQ Chicken Nachos

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 15 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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Welcome to the world of Spicy BBQ Chicken Nachos, where classic comfort meets a fiery twist! This dish is perfect for game days, casual gatherings, or a fun family dinner. With layers of tangy BBQ chicken and gooey cheese, every bite is a flavor explosion.

Ingredients for Spicy BBQ Chicken Nachos

The star of the show is the chicken breasts, offering a lean protein base that's absorbent for all the smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors. Olive oil adds a touch of richness and helps the spices stick to the chicken. The smoked paprika infuses a subtle smokiness, while garlic powder delivers a classic savory note. Salt and black pepper enhance and balance all the flavors.

Our BBQ sauce ties everything together with its sweet and tangy profile. The jalapeño brings the heat, while cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese provide the creamy, melty texture we all crave. Tortilla chips serve as the crunchy base for our nachos.

For toppings, red onion adds a sharp bite, and cilantro offers freshness. Avocado gives a creamy, cooling contrast to the heat. Black olives add a briny punch, and pickled jalapeños increase the spicy kick. Lime wedges are there for a zesty finish, and sour cream provides a cooling balance.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeños before slicing.
  • For extra crispy chips, bake them for a few minutes before adding toppings.
  • Use leftover grilled or rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • Try different cheese blends, like pepper jack, for added flavor.

Serving Suggestions

These nachos pair beautifully with a light, crisp beer or a refreshing margarita. To complete the meal, add a side of fresh salsa or guacamole. For a heartier spread, serve alongside a simple green salad with a zesty vinaigrette.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the chicken and have all toppings ready, but it’s best to assemble and bake the nachos just before serving to keep them crisp.
What if I don't have smoked paprika?
Regular paprika will work in a pinch, though you’ll miss the smoky note. Add a dash of liquid smoke if available.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispness.

Spicy BBQ Chicken Nachos Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 375°F. This ensures it’s ready when you need it. Then, grab a medium bowl and mix together the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This is your spice rub, which will give the chicken a flavorful crust.

Coat the chicken breasts thoroughly with the spice mixture. Heat a skillet over medium heat — it should be hot enough to sizzle a drop of water. Place the chicken in the skillet, cooking each side for about 5-6 minutes until they're golden brown and fully cooked through.

Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks and mix it with the BBQ sauce. Now, take a large baking sheet and spread half of your tortilla chips over it. Layer half of the shredded BBQ chicken, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the chips.

Repeat with another layer of tortilla chips, the remaining chicken, jalapeños, and cheeses. Slide the baking sheet into your preheated oven and let it bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Remove from the oven and quickly top with red onion, cilantro, avocado, black olives, and pickled jalapeños. Squeeze lime wedges over the top if you like a citrusy zing. Serve the nachos with sour cream on the side for those who enjoy a creamy dip.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights.
  • A perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and savory flavors.
  • Customizable ingredients to suit your spice tolerance and taste preferences.
  • Great for feeding a crowd or enjoying as a solo indulgence.

Ingredients

2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 bag (14 oz) tortilla chips
1 lime, cut into wedges
1/2 cup sour cream
1 avocado, diced
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup pickled jalapeños

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Coat chicken breasts with the spice mixture.
4. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side.
5. Shred the cooked chicken and mix with BBQ sauce.
6. On a large baking sheet, spread half of the tortilla chips.
7. Top with half of the shredded chicken, jalapeños, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese.
8. Add another layer of tortilla chips and repeat with remaining chicken, jalapeños, and cheese.
9. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Remove from oven and top with red onion, cilantro, avocado, black olives, pickled jalapeños, and lime wedges.
11. Serve with sour cream on the side.

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