BBQ Chicken Nachos
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BBQ chicken nachos are a mouthwatering blend of tangy barbecue sauce, tender chicken, and crispy tortilla chips, topped with melted cheese!
This easy bbq chicken nachos recipe is a great way to get a fun dinner on the table fast! Serve it as a whole meal or pair it with air fryer corn on the cob and a no bake oreo cheesecake for dessert.
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BBQ Chicken Nachos
BBQ Chicken Nachos
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Why you’ll love this easy recipe!
📌 The perfect union of Tex and Mex.
📌 A great way to use up leftovers.
📌 Quick and easy to make for 2 or for 20!
BBQ Chicken Nachos Ingredients
- Chicken – Cooked shredded chicken (use spatchcock chicken leftovers or make your pulled chicken in the instant pot!)
- Barbecue sauce – Grab your favorite bottle, or make homemade bbq sauce with our easy recipe.
- Tortilla chips – Whatever brand of corn tortilla chips you love.
- Onion – Red onion, diced. (Still over here wondering why it’s not called purple onion).
- Cheese – Shredded monterey jack cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. You can also use fiesta blend cheese or pepper jack cheese.
- Herbs – Fresh cilantro or green onion.
How do you make barbecue chicken nachos? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, mix the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce.
⭐ Next, spread the tortilla chips in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
⭐ Then, scatter the shredded chicken on top, then the diced red onion, and then the shredded cheese. Drizzle a little of the BBQ sauce over the top.
⭐ Finally, bake until the cheese has melted and the chicken is warmed through. Top with fresh herbs before serving.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
What kind of chicken for BBQ chicken nachos?
Any chopped or shredded chicken will work! We love to make this with leftover chicken after having perfect baked chicken, baked bbq chicken, or smoked chicken thighs the night before.
What toppings on barbecue chicken nachos?
We topped ours with chicken, bbq sauce, shredded cheese, onion, and cilantro.
What else can you add to chicken bbq nachos?
Other great toppings include black beans, jalapenos, pickled onions, pickled jalapenos, cilantro garlic sauce, sour cream, guacamole, cooked crumbled bacon, and extra cheese!
Storage and leftovers
How long do barbecue chicken nachos last?
These are really best when made and served right away, but leftovers will be safe to eat for 2 – 3 days when refrigerated.
Reheat in an air fryer, toaster oven, or conventional oven for best results. We do not recommend reheating in the microwave.
What to do with leftover bbq pulled chicken nachos?
Leftover nachos aren’t always the most appetizing eating, so what we like to do is chop them up and put them in flour tortillas! It’s a quick and easy bbq chicken taco hack!
Tips, tricks, and frequently asked questions
✅ Choose the right BBQ sauce: Use a BBQ sauce that you love. Try different variations like smoky, spicy, sweet, or tangy BBQ sauces to customize the taste according to your preference. (Try our homemade barbecue sauce recipe too!)
✅ Preheat the baking sheet: Preheat the baking sheet in the oven for a few minutes before spreading the tortilla chips. This will help crisp up the chips and prevent them from becoming soggy.
✅ Add toppings: After baking, you can further enhance the flavor and presentation by adding additional toppings. Consider garnishing with sliced jalapenos, diced tomatoes, sour cream, guacamole, or even a squeeze of lime juice.
✅ Serve immediately: BBQ chicken nachos are best enjoyed immediately after baking when they are still hot and the cheese is melty.
What to eat with pulled chicken nachos (serving suggestions)
These are great as an appetizer alongside other Tex-Mex favorites like cowboy caviar, pulled pork chili, and cheeseburger quesadillas. Don’t forget a chocolate Texas sheet cake for dessert!
More delicious chicken recipes to try
- Bourbon chicken recipe
- Easy caprese chicken
- Loaded chicken nachos
- White chicken enchiladas
- Homemade chicken pot pie
- See all our chicken dinner recipes!
Other awesome recipes with BBQ sauce
- Air fryer BBQ chicken tacos
- Instant pot BBQ chicken
- BBQ chicken taquitos
- Baked BBQ chicken
- BBQ chicken pizza
- See all our recipes using barbecue sauce!
Tools we love
- Baker’s Half Sheet – This is the baking sheet we use in the cooking video. Another favvvvvorite. I have four or maybe six of them.
- Stainless steel mixing bowls – Classic, basic, mixing bowls that everyone should have in your kitchen. You’ve seen me use them on the cooking show at least seventy bajillion time. Ish.
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How to Make BBQ Chicken Nachos
BBQ Chicken Nachos
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup BBQ sauce plus extra for drizzling on top
- 1 bag tortilla chips
- ½ red onion diced
- 1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- chopped cilantro or green onion, for garnishing
Instructions
- Mix the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce.
- Spread the tortilla chips in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Scatter the shredded chicken on top, then the diced red onion, and then the shredded cheese. Drizzle a little of the BBQ sauce over the top.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the chicken is warmed through.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro cilantro or green onion.
Notes
Nutrition
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this was exactly what I needed! thank you for sharing this recipe and reminding me how much I love nachos!
These nachos are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! Everyone in my family loved them and can’t wait to have them again!
Amazing!! My three teenage boys loved them. I only wish I doubled the recipe!