These shredded chicken nachos are super easy to make and baked in the oven. Loaded with all of your favorite toppings, these sheet pan nachos are great for a quick weeknight dinner, game day or snack!
This post was originally published in August 2019 and has been updated for content.
Nachos are one of our favorite easy dinners to make on the weekend or on a busy weeknight. They are a great shareable appetizer or dinner that can be customized how you like. Plus, they are done in just 15 minutes!
These oven baked shredded chicken nachos are great for game day with pulled pork sliders or for cinco de mayo with honeydew basil spicy margaritas and sour cream chicken enchiladas.
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🧀 Ingredient notes
- Chicken - My jalapeno slow cooker pulled chicken recipe is perfect for these baked nachos. I usually keep a batch in my freezer for recipes such as this. Rotisserie chicken is also an easy and quick way to make these baked sheet pan nachos.
- Chips - Tortilla chips are the typical chip of choice for nachos and they come in a variety of sizes, shapes and flavor. I typically go for plain, larger sized chips to make for easier serving.
- Cheese - Shredded cheese is my usual go to for nachos. Cheddar cheese, monterey jack cheese or pepper jack cheese are all great options. A nacho cheese or cheese sauce can also be used but should be added after baking, where as shredded cheese should be added before baking.
🌶 Toppings for Shredded Chicken Nachos
The options are limitless when it comes to nachos and there are thousands of flavor combos you can choose from. Here are some popular topping ideas for you to mix and match as you see fit.
- Diced onions
- Sliced pickled or fresh jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
- Pico de gallo or salsa verde
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
- Sliced black olives
- Sliced avocado or guacamole
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped cilantro
- Black beans or refried beans
- Sautéed sliced peppers
- Lime Wedges
- Corn
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Meat - Ground beef, sliced steak or shredded pork can be used in place of the shredded chicken.
- Dairy Free - Omit the cheese and sour cream or use a dairy free substitute.
- Gluten Free - Make sure to get gluten free chips as well as toppings.
- Vegetarian - Omit the meat or use a plant based meat substitute.
🔪 Step by step instructions
Layer the tortilla chips on a lined sheet pan and then top with the shredded chicken.
Sprinkle on the black beans and then top with the shredded cheese.
Bake the nachos for about 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melty, load up them up with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that I mention, be sure to look it up in the Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Line the sheet pan with foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Try to add everything in an even layer for even portions when serving.
- If the nachos won't be eaten right away, toppings that have more of a liquid content should be served on the side so the chips don't get soggy.
🥘 Alternative cooking methods
Microwave - Layer a microwave safe plate with chips, chicken, beans and cheese and microwave in 30 second intervals until the cheese is melted. Top nachos with your favorite toppings.
Air Fryer - Layer chips in the air fryer basket, top with chicken, beans and cheese and cook at 350˚ for approximately 5 minutes until cheese is melted. Top air fried nachos with your favorite toppings.
🥡 Storage suggestions
Leftover nachos that have not been fully loaded will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days and can be crisped up in an oven or air fryer. If toppings have been loaded with toppings, they will probably be soggy and not keep well.
🥘 More easy dinner recipes
If you loved this shredded chicken nachos recipe, check out these other easy dinner recipes that I know you will love too!!
📖 Recipe
Shredded Chicken Nachos
Ingredients
- 16-18 ounce bag plain tortilla chips
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 15 ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 2 cups shredded cheese monterey jack, pepper jack or cheddar
- 8 ounces pico de gallo salsa or salsa verde
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 1 medium avocado peeled, seed removed and sliced
- 1 jar pickled jalapenos
- 1 lime cut into slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375° and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Spread the tortilla chips into an even layer over the entire sheet pan. Top the chips with the shredded chicken, black beans and lastly the cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Serve nachos with the salsa, sour cream, avocado, jalapeno and lime.
Notes
- Line the sheet pan with foil or parchment paper for easy clean up.
- Try to add the everything in an even layer for even portions when serving.
- If the nachos won't be eaten right away, toppings that have more of a liquid content should be served on the side so the chips don't get soggy.
Topping Ideas
- Diced onions
- Sliced pickled or fresh jalapeños
- Diced tomatoes
- Pico de gallo or salsa verde
- Hot sauce
- Sour cream
- Sliced black olives
- Sliced avocado or guacamole
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped cilantro
- Black beans or refried beans
- Sautéed sliced peppers
- Lime Wedges
- Corn
Substitutions and Variations
- Meat - Ground beef, sliced steak or shredded pork can be used in place of the shredded chicken.
- Dairy Free - Omit the cheese and sour cream or use a dairy free substitute.
- Gluten Free - Make sure to get gluten free chips as well as toppings.
- Vegetarian - Omit the meat or use a plant based meat substitute.
Genevieve
You can never go wrong with nachos and these shredded chicken nachos totally fit the bill! These look so good, I can't wait to make them.
Amanda
Thank you so much!
Agnieszka
These nachos were a huge hit at our house! I will be making them again for sure. So easy and delicious!
Amanda
Yeah! So happy to hear that!
Lucas
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I always wanted to try chicken nachos but didn’t know how to do it. Such a brilliant idea 💕
Amanda
Thanks Lucas, I hope you enjoy them!
nancy
what a great way to use up leftover chicken!
Amanda
Yes!
Amy
I love nachos, and you have so many great suggestions for variations I don't know where to start! I will be making these soon.
Amanda
Excellent! Can't wait to hear how it goes!
Kara
Absolutely loved these shredded chicken nachos! The combo of black beans, cheese, and pico really hit the spot. My family gobbled it up.
Amanda
So happy to hear that Kara, thanks for trying the recipe!
Alexandra
We made this for movie night last night - simple and so delicious! The perfect way to use up some leftover shredded chicken too!
Amanda
Great for movie night!
Jean
made this for my friends as our pre dinner meal and ended up being our dinner, its so good and filling.
Amanda
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Keri
We love nachos and I'm always looking for great nachos recipes. This one was so yummy! Loved it!
Amanda
Yah, so happy to hear that.
Audrey
These chicken nachos were soooo easy and my family loved them!
Amanda
Easy makes them so much tastier 🙂
Peggy
Love this super-fun dinner idea!
Amanda
Thanks Peggy!
Kayla DiMaggio
These shredded chicken nachos were SO delicious! I loved all the gooey cheese and the chicken was cooked to perfection!
Amanda
So happy to hear, thanks!