MVP Pulled Chicken Nachos (Printable)
A flavorful layered dish featuring tender pulled chicken, melted cheese, and fresh toppings on crispy chips.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pulled Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
02 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
03 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
05 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Nachos
10 - 10 oz tortilla chips (preferably thick-cut)
11 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
13 - 1 medium red onion finely diced
14 - 1 medium jalapeño thinly sliced
15 - 2 medium tomatoes seeded and diced
16 - 1 small can (4 oz) black olives sliced
17 - 1 ripe avocado diced
18 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
19 - 1/2 cup sour cream
20 - 1 lime cut into wedges
# Directions:
01 - Combine chicken breasts, chicken broth, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover and cook for 18–20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
02 - Remove chicken from the pan and shred using two forks. Return the shredded chicken to the pan, toss to coat in the remaining juices, and keep warm.
03 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
04 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large baking sheet or ovenproof platter.
05 - Distribute the pulled chicken over the chips, then sprinkle with cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
06 - Scatter half of the diced red onion, jalapeño slices, tomatoes, and black olives on top.
07 - Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Remove from the oven and top with the remaining fresh onion, diced avocado, cilantro, and extra jalapeño if desired. Serve immediately with dollops of sour cream and lime wedges on the side.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The homemade pulled chicken is infinitely better than anything store bought and absorbs all those smoky spices beautifully
- Everything bakes together in one pan so you spend more time with guests and less time playing chef
02 -
- Let the chicken cool slightly before shredding or you will burn your fingers trying to pull it apart
- Sprinkle some cheese directly on the baking sheet under the first layer of chips to create those crispy cheese edges everyone fights over
03 -
- Pepper jack cheese adds a gentle kick that builds heat without overwhelming the dish
- Wait until the platter hits the table before adding sour cream so it stays cool and doesnt melt into the cheese