Description

This BBQ Chicken Nachos recipe is a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer perfect for sharing. Crispy tortilla chips are layered with shredded barbecue chicken, black beans, corn, red onions, and gooey melted cheese, then baked to perfection. Topped with fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and a drizzle of ranch dressing and extra barbecue sauce, these nachos offer a perfect balance of smoky, tangy, and spicy flavors that will please any crowd.

Ingredients

Scale

Nachos Base

1 large bag of tortilla chips

BBQ Chicken Mixture

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
¾ cup barbecue sauce, plus more for topping
⅓ cup red onion, chopped
1 ½ cups black beans, drained and rinsed
1 ½ cups corn, drained
2 cups shredded cheese (smoked gouda, mozzarella, or cheddar)

Garnishes

½ cup cilantro, chopped
Ranch dressing, for drizzling
Chopped jalapeño peppers, optional

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Instructions

Preheat and Combine: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a bowl, mix the shredded cooked chicken with ¾ cup of barbecue sauce until the chicken is evenly coated.
Layer Nachos: On a large baking sheet, spread a base layer of tortilla chips. Evenly distribute the barbecue chicken mixture over the chips, followed by chopped red onion, drained black beans, corn, and then sprinkle the shredded cheese on top.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted thoroughly and is bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and immediately top with fresh chopped cilantro and jalapeño peppers if using. Drizzle ranch dressing and extra barbecue sauce over the top for added flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the nachos warm and fresh.

Notes

You can use any variety of barbecue sauce you prefer for different flavor profiles.
For a spicier kick, add sliced jalapeños before baking as well as after baking.
Substitute black beans and corn with other vegetables like diced tomatoes or bell peppers to vary the recipe.
Leftover BBQ chicken can be used to make this recipe quicker next time.
To make this dish vegetarian, substitute chicken with seasoned jackfruit or a plant-based chicken alternative and use vegetarian barbecue sauce.