Easy Chicken Skillet Nachos
on Jan 26, 2016, Updated May 15, 2024
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Easy Chicken Skillet Nachos are quick and simple, made with chips, cheese, beans, and more—perfect for feeding a crowd at a football party! – a quick and simple nacho recipe made with chips, loads of cheese, beans, and more! Perfect for feeding a crowd at a Super Bowl party, or cooking a one-pan dinner!
Easy Chicken Skillet Nachos are as tasty as the pictures look, friends! I made this recipe with football, parties, and entertaining in mind. I love these easy skillet nachos for a few reasons. One, they are delicious and they look fabulous. Two, they take very little time to make which makes them perfect for a party. Three, who doesn’t love nachos!?!
They are a total crowd-pleaser. Making a huge batch of nachos in a skillet means that you can serve them right out of the pan; serving them alongside ranch, guacamole, and salsa means that you have very little prep to do yourself.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easily prepare by cooking an extra chicken breast in advance.
- Use any shredded meat or skip the meat entirely for a customizable dish.
- Just add taco seasoning and water for quick flavor.
- Can be made in a cast-iron skillet for a stylish presentation or a large rimmed baking sheet for convenience.
Recipe Ingredients
- Tortilla chips
- Shredded chicken
- Taco seasoning
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Pepper jack cheese
- Black beans
- Diced tomato, green onions, black olives, and jalapenos
- Ranch dressing
- Guacamole
- Salsa
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Popular Substitutions and Variations
- Protein Alternatives:
- Ground Beef: Cook with taco seasoning for a classic flavor.
- Shredded Pork: Use pulled pork for a smoky taste.
- Ground Turkey: A leaner option that pairs well with the spices.
- Cheese Substitutes:
- Queso Fresco: For a milder, crumbly option.
- Vegan Cheese: For a dairy-free alternative.
- Pepper Jack: For a spicier kick.
- Toppings Variations:
- Pico de Gallo: For a fresh, tangy topping.
- Salsa Verde: For a zesty, slightly tangy taste.
- Jalapeños: Fresh or pickled for added heat.
- Corn: Roasted or fresh for a sweet, crunchy addition.
- Chips Alternatives:
- Tortilla Strips: For a different texture.
- Pita Chips: For a thicker, heartier base.
- Sweet Potato Chips: For a slightly sweet twist.
How To Make Chicken Skillet Nachos
Step #1. Gather ingredients and shred the chicken.
Step #2. Mix taco seasoning and water with shredded chicken. Layer half of the cheese, chicken, and beans over the chips.
Step #3. Spread tortilla chips evenly in a large cast-iron skillet or baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Add another layer of chips and top with the remaining cheese, chicken, and beans.
Step #4. Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts. Top with chopped tomato, green onions, black olives, and jalapenos.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can substitute the chicken with ground beef, shredded pork, ground turkey, or even a vegetarian option like black beans or crumbled tofu.
You can use a large rimmed baking sheet instead. The nachos will still turn out delicious!
Add more jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, or sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes over the top before baking.
Expert Tips
- Cook and shred the chicken in advance. Toss it with taco seasoning and a bit of water for extra flavor.
- Ensure even layers of chips, cheese, and toppings to achieve the perfect balance in every bite. This helps retain heat and gives the nachos a crispier texture. A large rimmed baking sheet works well too.
- Mix different cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack for a richer flavor.
- Fresh toppings like tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeños should be added after baking to maintain their freshness and crunch.
- Offer a variety of toppings and dips like guacamole, sour cream, and salsa on the side so guests can personalize their nachos.
More Easy Recipes To Consider
Recipes
What to Make for Dinner
Recipes
Chicken Marinade
Chicken
Chicken Meatballs
Soups, Stews, & Chowders
Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Easy Chicken Skillet Nachos
Ingredients
- Tortilla chips, about 10 cups
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon water
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 8 ounces pepper jack cheese, grated
- 1 can black beans, 15 ounce, drained and rinsed
- Diced tomato, green onions, black olives, and jalapenos
- Ranch dressing
- Sabra Classic or Spicy Guacamole
- Salsa
Instructions
- In a large cast iron skillet (or other oven proof skillet) or a large rimmed baking sheet, spread tortilla chips in an even layer over the bottom. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Add the taco seasoning and water to your cooked shredded chicken and stir to combine. Add half of the shredded cheese, half of the chicken, half of the beans to the chips in the skillet. Add a second layer of chips to the skillet and top with the remaining cheese, chicken, and beans.
- Place the skillet in the hot oven to 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted. Remove the skillet from the oven and top with chopped tomato, green onions, black olives, and jalapenos. Serve with Sabra Greek Yogurt Farmer’s Ranch, Sabra Guacamole, and salsa.
Notes
- Cook and shred the chicken in advance. Toss it with taco seasoning and a bit of water for extra flavor.
- Ensure even layers of chips, cheese, and toppings to achieve the perfect balance in every bite. This helps retain heat and gives the nachos a crispier texture. A large rimmed baking sheet works well too.
- Mix different cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, and pepper jack for a richer flavor.
- Fresh toppings like tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeños should be added after baking to maintain their freshness and crunch.
- Offer a variety of toppings and dips like guacamole, sour cream, and salsa on the side so guests can personalize their nachos.
These recipies look very Good and Absolutely delicious! I made these for dinner tonight and they were a huge hit. So easy to make. Thanks for sharing!
Great to hear! Thanks for letting me know.
You make everything so purdy! Love the music in the video. Stacy’s pita chips are soooooo addictive! Have you tried their cinnamon and sugar chips….. oh my….hold me back!
Wait what, cinnamon and sugar?! I need to find these!!!!
I make these too! So delicious! I did see a commercial that Sabra is making guacamole now! Yummo! I already loved their hummus, now I can add guacamole to my shopping cart! I think I will make these nachos for Super Bowl Sunday!
cute video! I love that the nachos are double layered. I’ll definitely be trying this out! Thanks!
You’re the best Katie… and you do need nachos in your life!