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BBQ Chicken Nachos

appetizer· snacks· Summertime Favorites· Tailgating Recipes

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BBQ Chicken Nachos – Made with tortilla chips topped with BBQ chicken, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, fresh tomatoes, sliced red onion, and crispy bacon, these nachos are a fun and easy party snack that is perfect for a crowd!

Tray of BBQ Chicken NachosIn my house growing up, summers were about soccer. As I’ve mentioned before, both of my parents grew up in Colombia, so they were huge soccer fans. But what I haven’t talked about before is that my grandparents were immigrants to Colombia from Europe. And soccer is huge there, as well. So we were also busy keeping tabs on the matches for various European teams.

Oh and I can’t forget Spain! My cousins currently live there and have for the last few decades. Soccer in Spain is huuuuuuge and they take it super seriously. I’ll never forget being in Madrid in 2002 and watching the quarterfinals of the soccer games that summer. The neighborhoods shut down to watch the game and for each goal scored, you could hear shouting and screaming coming from all the apartments nearby. The energy was something I’ve never experienced before.

Now that summer is starting, that means more soccer to watch. To get ready for the Beautiful Game this summer, I’m stocking up on my favorite beers and making some incredible party snacks. But not just any snacks – say hello to my BBQ Chicken Nachos!

Tray of BBQ Chicken Nachos with Modelo beers around it Pulling up a chip of BBQ Chicken Nachos Uncooked sheet of BBQ Chicken Nachos

Have you ever tried BBQ Chicken Pizza? It was the inspiration for these nachos! I’ve had it at a few different restaurants but all the versions have these few basics:

  • Chicken
  • BBQ sauce
  • Red Onions
  • A blend of various cheeses

Pizza can feel too heavy sometimes so I decided to recreate the recipe in nachos-form, which makes it ideal for sharing at all your summertime celebrations. And I also added bacon and tomatoes and the BEST dipping sauce to go along with them. I have it on good authority from multiple sources (including myself) that this dipping sauce takes the nachos to a whole other level. So don’t skip it!

BBQ Chicken Nacho into the dipping sauce

Here are a couple other tips to consider when making your nachos:

  1. Make sure you cut the chicken into small pieces. Remember – this chicken will go on top of nachos so you don’t want the pieces to be too large or else you won’t be able to eat them in one bite.
  2. Speaking of the chicken – I suggest using a mild BBQ sauce because the chili powder we use on the chicken will be more than enough heat. If you realize that you want more spice, just add some hot sauce at the end, to taste.
  3. There are a few toppings that go on the nachos, so I suggest prepping those before you get going on the chicken, just to make your life easier. That way – once the chicken is done – you can just top the tortillas chips with everything and then bake.

Now, let’s get to the beer. Modelo is one of my favorite summertime beers because it’s so light and refreshing, yet full of flavor. Therefore, it makes for the best beer to wash down these nachos because it will only compliment the nachos and not overpower them (and vice-a-versa).

Two sic packs of Modelo, one especial, and one negro

I love to have my Modelo Especial with with a slice of lime to add even more refreshing flavor. But sometimes I like to go with a bolder flavor so I grab a lager-esque Modelo Negra. How do you enjoy yours?

Glass of Modelo especial with a lime slice Bottle of Modelo Negro

If this is your first time buying Modelo, you can easily locate it in the beer aisle of your local grocery store. Modelo Especial and Modelo Negra are typically sold in 12-packs boxes and/or  6-packs, so make sure to check both shelves for what they have in stock.

Beer aisle with cases of Modelo

Alrighty guys…now you’ve got your perfect beer and snack combo for summer. How excited are you to try it out?! Let me know how much you love it by commenting below!

Eating BBQ Chicken Nachos

Print Recipe

BBQ Chicken Nachos

Made with tortilla chips topped with BBQ chicken, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, fresh tomatoes, sliced red onion, and crispy bacon, these nachos are a fun and easy party snack that is perfect for a crowd!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast diced
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 3/4 cup + 1 teaspoon BBQ sauce divided
  • 13 ounces tortilla chips
  • 1 cup Monterrey Jack cheese shredded
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 red onion diced
  • 1 large tomato diced
  • 8 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 2 tablespoon parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sour cream

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Add diced chicken and spices together in a medium bowl. Toss to combine. Heat medium saute pan over medium high heat with canola oil. Once oil is hot, add coated chicken and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 3/4 cup of BBQ sauce and continue to cook until sauce is reduced by half, about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Place all the tortilla chips evenly on a large baking sheet. Layer on the chicken with a little of the residual sauce. Cover with shredded cheese, red onion slices, diced tomatoes, and cooked bacon crumbles. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
  • While the nachos bake, mix together the remaining 1 teaspoon of BBQ sauce with 1/2 cup sour cream. This will be used as the dipping sauce.
  • Remove nachos from the oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley. Serve immediately with dipping sauce and your favorite Modelo beer.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Buzzfeed

Pin for later:

BBQ Chicken Nachos photo collage

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Comments

  8. Terryn Winfield says

    These nachos are my absolute favorite thing! I used to get them all the time when I was pregnant the first time, and then the restaurant did away with them! I need to try your recipe!

    Reply

  23. Denisse | says

    Oh my gosh! Drooling over these- I think I would make a vegetarian version with black beans or something since I don’t really eat chicken anymore- but yum! Love the concept.

    Reply

    • Sharon says

      Good idea!! I think tofu would hold up if you wanted to cook it in the BBQ sauce in place of chicken, as well!

      Reply

  27. Beth says

    Oh my goodness. That looks so good. Nachos are like my favourite thing so all that topping can only enhance it. Going to pin it and try it with my other half xx

    Reply

  28. Marissa says

    I am practically drooling while reading this post! These nachos look so good, and that sauce seems super easy to make so I will definitely be trying thsese!

    Marissa

    Reply

    • Sharon says

      Thanks! I almost love this version better than the pizza because of the dipping sauce. It’s to-die-for!

      Reply

  41. Trish says

    My family and I love nachos! I usually make BBQ Pork Nachos but after looking at these pics I will for sure be making chicken nachos soon!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Sharon says

      I actually love pork nachos too! but I hate having to make the pork so this is a much easier substitute 🙂

      Reply

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