Ultimate Game Day Chicken and Beef Nachos
Elevate your Super Bowl bash with these Ultimate Game Day Chicken and Beef Nachos! Perfectly layered tortilla chips are topped with succulent shredded chicken or seasoned ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and a medley of toppings including black olives and jalapeños. This crowd-pleaser is not only easy to prepare but also customizable to suit everyone's taste. Whether you're cheering for your favorite team or enjoying a laid-back gathering, these nachos will be the highlight of your spread. Serve with zesty salsa and creamy sour cream for the perfect party dish that will have your guests coming back for more!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Tortilla chips
10 ounces (Use flat chips for best results.)
Cooked chicken
10-16 ounces (Shred into small pieces.)
Canned sliced black olives
1 (2 ounce) can (Drain and set aside.)
Sliced jalapeño pepper
to taste (Prepare as desired.)
Taco seasoning
1 (1 1/4 ounce) packet (Follow water instructions on packet.)
Taco cheese blend
1 (8 ounce) bag (Use Monterey Jack and Cheddar or Mexican blend.)
Nonstick cooking spray
as needed (Lightly spray pan.)
Habanero sauce
to taste (Add to chicken if desired.)
Sour cream
4 ounces (Serve on the side.)
Salsa
4 ounces (Serve on the side.)
Water
as needed (Follow taco seasoning packet instructions.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position the rack at the highest level.
2
In a saucepan, hand shred the cooked chicken into small pieces suitable for topping tortilla chips.
3
Add the taco seasoning mix to the shredded chicken, along with the specified amount of water as indicated on the seasoning packet. Heat over medium-low until well combined, stirring occasionally.
4
If you like an extra kick, feel free to add habanero sauce to the chicken mixture for added heat.
5
While the chicken heats up, line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
6
Spread a single layer of tortilla chips on the prepared cookie sheet, overlapping them if necessary for maximum coverage.
7
Sprinkle half of the taco cheese blend evenly over the chips.
8
Once warmed, remove the chicken from the heat and evenly distribute it over the chips and cheese using a spoon, ensuring each chip gets some delicious topping.
9
If desired, drizzle any remaining taco seasoning sauce over the nachos, keeping in mind that excess moisture can make the chips soggy.
10
Top each chip with slices of black olives and jalapeños, adding as much or as little as you like.
11
Finish by sprinkling the remaining cheese generously over the entire layer.
12
Bake in the preheated oven on the top rack for 10 minutes.
13
After baking, switch the oven to broil and broil the nachos for an additional 2 minutes (1 minute for gas ovens), keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
14
Remove from the oven when the cheese is bubbly and golden. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
15
Serve with sour cream and salsa in separate bowls, or drizzle salsa over the nachos just before baking if preferred.
16
For a variation, substitute shredded cooked chicken with seasoned, browned ground beef.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ultimate Game Day Nacho recipe?
It is a customizable party dish featuring layered tortilla chips topped with shredded chicken or seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, black olives, and jalapeños.
Which event is this recipe specifically designed for?
This recipe is perfect for a Super Bowl bash or any laid-back gathering.
To what temperature should the oven be preheated?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Where should I place the oven rack for this recipe?
Position the rack at the highest level for optimal baking and broiling.
How should the cooked chicken be prepared?
The chicken should be hand shredded into small pieces suitable for topping tortilla chips.
How do I season the shredded chicken?
Add a packet of taco seasoning and the specified amount of water to the shredded chicken in a saucepan and heat over medium-low.
How can I make these nachos spicier?
You can add habanero sauce to the chicken mixture for an extra kick of heat.
How should the cookie sheet be prepared?
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
How should the tortilla chips be arranged?
Spread a single layer of tortilla chips on the sheet, overlapping them if necessary for maximum coverage.
When do I add the first layer of cheese?
Sprinkle half of the taco cheese blend evenly over the chips before adding the meat.
How is the chicken distributed over the nachos?
Once warmed, use a spoon to evenly distribute the chicken over the chips and cheese, ensuring each chip gets topped.
Can I use the leftover seasoning sauce from the pan?
Yes, you can drizzle remaining sauce over the nachos, but be careful as excess moisture can make the chips soggy.
What toppings are added after the meat?
Top each chip with slices of black olives and jalapeños according to your preference.
When is the rest of the cheese added?
The remaining cheese should be sprinkled generously over the entire layer after the olives and jalapeños are added.
How long do the nachos bake in the oven?
Bake the nachos on the top rack for 10 minutes.
Is there a broiling step for this recipe?
Yes, switch the oven to broil after the 10-minute bake and broil for an additional 2 minutes.
How long should I broil the nachos if I have a gas oven?
For gas ovens, broil the nachos for only 1 minute and keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
How do I know when the nachos are finished?
Remove them from the oven when the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Should I serve the nachos immediately?
Allow the nachos to cool slightly before serving to guests.
How should the sour cream and salsa be served?
Serve them in separate bowls on the side for dipping or drizzling.
Can I substitute the chicken with another meat?
Yes, you can substitute the shredded chicken with seasoned, browned ground beef.
What type of tortilla chips are recommended?
Flat tortilla chips are recommended for the best results.
What kind of cheese blend works best?
A taco cheese blend containing Monterey Jack and Cheddar or a Mexican blend is ideal.
How much chicken is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 10-16 ounces of cooked chicken.
What is the quantity of black olives needed?
One 2-ounce can of sliced black olives, drained, is used.
How much salsa and sour cream should I provide?
The recipe suggests serving 4 ounces of each on the side.
Can I add salsa before the nachos are baked?
Yes, you can drizzle salsa over the nachos just before baking if you prefer it warm.
Is this recipe considered easy to prepare?
Yes, it is noted as an easy recipe that is highly customizable to suit everyone's taste.
What size taco seasoning packet is used?
Use one 1 1/4 ounce packet of taco seasoning.
Do I need any special equipment for the pan?
You will need a cookie sheet, aluminum foil, and non-stick cooking spray.