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Crispy tortilla chips loaded with seasoned shredded chicken, melted cheddar cheese, black beans, and fresh pico de gallo. A perfect appetizer or fun weeknight dinner, ready in under 40 minutes.
For 4 servings
Prepare Toppings and Preheat Oven
Cook and Shred the Chicken
Season the Chicken
Crispy tortilla chips loaded with seasoned shredded chicken, melted cheddar cheese, black beans, and fresh pico de gallo. A perfect appetizer or fun weeknight dinner, ready in under 40 minutes.
This tex_mex recipe takes 40 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 1033.13 calories per serving with 65.9g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for appetizer or snack or dinner or lunch.
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Assemble the Nachos
Bake and Serve
Instead of shredded chicken, use seasoned ground beef, pulled pork, chorizo, or shredded beef brisket.
Omit the chicken and double the black beans, or add a can of pinto beans or corn. You can also use crumbled spiced tofu or a plant-based ground meat substitute.
Get creative with toppings like guacamole, sliced black olives, corn salsa, cotija cheese, or a drizzle of queso sauce.
Keep the seeds in the fresh jalapeño, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning, and serve with your favorite hot sauce.
The chicken and cheese provide high-quality protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles, and helps keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Black beans are a great source of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, helps maintain stable blood sugar levels, and supports overall gut health.
This dish offers a range of vitamins and minerals. Tomatoes provide the antioxidant lycopene, cheese is a source of calcium for bone health, and beans contribute iron and magnesium.
A single serving of these Chicken Nachos contains approximately 650-750 calories. The exact number can vary based on the specific brands of chips and cheese used, and the amount of toppings added.
Chicken Nachos are best enjoyed as an occasional treat rather than a health food. They are high in calories, sodium, and saturated fat. However, they also provide a good amount of protein from the chicken and cheese, and fiber from the black beans. To make them healthier, you can use baked tortilla chips, reduce the amount of cheese, and load up on fresh vegetable toppings.
It's best not to assemble and bake the nachos ahead of time, as they will become soggy. However, you can prepare all the components in advance: cook and shred the chicken, make the pico de gallo, and shred the cheese. Store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you're ready to eat, assembly and baking will only take about 15 minutes.
The best way to prevent soggy nachos is to use thick, sturdy tortilla chips. The double-layering technique also helps. Finally, add wet toppings like pico de gallo and sour cream just before serving, not before baking.
A medium or sharp cheddar cheese is a classic choice for its flavor and melting ability. Monterey Jack is another great option for its creaminess. For the best of both worlds, use a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack. Always shred your own cheese from a block for the smoothest melt.
Absolutely! Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver. Simply shred the meat and toss it with the spice blend as directed in Step 3. You can skip the cooking step entirely.
This recipe goes great with these complete meals
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