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    Home » Appetizers

    Chipotle Chicken Nachos

    Published: Sep 7, 2021 · Modified: Jan 9, 2024 by Tammy Circeo · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Yum
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I've been making these Chipotle Chicken Nachos for almost 20 years! When you need a quick party platter, a dinner that doesn't take much thought, or a snack to accompany movie night, this is the go-to recipe!

    Chipotle Chicken Nachos served with the fixings!

    The sauce is simply sauteed onions, chipotle peppers, spices, tomato paste, and vinegar. The chipotles can be spicy, but of course, you can control the spiciness with how much you add. The vinegar is essential to keep it fresh, and the cumin seeds and oregano round out the whole.

    Chopped onion, chipotle pepper, tomato paste, herbs, and vinegar to cook with the chicken

    What kind of chicken to use for Chipotle Chicken Nachos


    It's easy to get a roasted chicken from the store and pull the meat off! You'll have plenty and probably some leftover.

    It's also easy to roast a Leave-it-Alone Roast Chicken for dinner and use the leftover (presuming there ARE any!) for Chipotle Chicken Nachos. I often make TWO roast chickens just to be sure I have some leftovers.

    You can also poach, grill, bake, or broil any chicken you'd like to make these nachos! It's just easier if you already have leftovers!

    Roasted chicken in the tomato-chipotle sauce

    After you cook the sauce a bit, add the chopped or shredded chicken and mix it together very well. Let it cook together till the sauce thickens.

    Chicken mixed with the tomato chipotle sauce

    How to build Chicken Chipotle Nachos

    Put a layer of chips on the bottom of a baking dish and top it with grated cheese.

    A layer of chips topped with grated cheese

    The chicken goes on next. You can spread it out as thinly or thickly as you wish.

    The sauced chicken goes on top of the chips and cheese

    Top the chicken with more cheese. Because who can have too much cheese!?

    A final layer of grated cheese before hitting the oven

    Put it in the oven for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is browned and bubbly.

    How to serve Chipotle Chicken Nachos

    I usually serve it straight from the pan ... whether that's a baking dish or large baking sheet. Top it with cilantro and serve pickled jalapenos, sour cream, and lime wedges on the side for people to add as they wish. I also highly recommend Avocado Tomatillo Salsa or Cool and Classy Guacamole!

    Chipotle Chicken Nachos served with cilantro, pickled jalapenos, lime wedges, and sour cream

    Recipe

    Chipotle Chicken Nachos served with the fixings!

    Chipotle Chicken Nachos

    Tammy Circeo
    As I write this in 2021, I've been making these nachos for nearly 20 years! When you need a quick party platter, a dinner that doesn't take much thought, or a snack to accompany movie night, this is the go-to recipe! Use a store-bought roast chicken, a homemade one, or simply chicken leftovers!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 12 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Snacks
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 4 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup chopped onions
    • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
    • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1-2 canned chipotle peppers
    • 2 Tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
    • 2 cups roasted chicken chopped bite size / shredded works, too (See Notes!)
    • Tortilla chips to line the baking dish
    • 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese Can mix cheddar and Monterrey Jack
    • cilantro for garnish
    • Pickled jalapenos, sour cream, lime wedges, avocado for serving

    Instructions
     

    • Brown the onion in the oil.
    • Add the cumin seeds and oregano. Stir till fragrant, about 30 seconds.
    • Add the chipotle chiles, tomato paste, and vinegar with ½ cup of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently, stirring often, about 5 minutes.
    • Add the chicken and stir until the chicken is heated through, about 2 minutes.
    • Arrange the tortilla chips on the pan of your choice. For a larger crowd, use a large baking sheet. For just you and your favorite meal partner, use a 9x13 baking dish.
    • Layer some cheese on the chips and top with the chicken mixture. Add another layer of chips and cheese,
    • Bake at 450°F until the cheese bubbles, about 3 minutes.
    • Serve with sour cream, salsa, and cilantro.

    Notes

    Buy a roasted chicken (but if you eat gluten-free, check the ingredient label). Roast or poach your own chicken. Use any leftover chicken you have!
    Plain avocado is great, but Cool and Classy Guacamole or Avocado Tomatillo Salsa are both delicious with these nachos!
    Keyword chicken nachos, chipotle, chipotle chicken nachos, nachos
    Yum

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    I have always loved nurturing and feeding people. My cooking style is influenced by my Southern parents, time living in Europe, and the foods available in the Pacific Northwest, where I lived for over 20 years. I cook from scratch and strongly support local farms and producers, believing that food plays a pivotal role in our quality of life.

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