Why You’ll Love These Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Full of flavor: The combination of buffalo sauce, blue cheese, melty cheese, and fresh toppings creates an addictive blend of heat, coolness, and crunch.

Time-Saver: Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and simple assembly methods means you can whip up this dish in under 20 minutes.

Customizable Toppings: Easily adapt the recipe to suit your preferences. Swap blue cheese for ranch, add extra heat with hot buffalo sauce, or load up with more fresh veggies.

Crowd-Pleaser: These nachos are a guaranteed hit at gatherings. Perfect for game nights, potlucks, or casual get-togethers!

Ingredients

• Shredded Rotisserie Chicken: Tender and flavorful, it makes assembling quick and easy.
• Buffalo Sauce: Adds that bold, zesty kick to the chicken; it comes in various heat levels to cater to your spice preference.
• Ranch or Blue Cheese Dressing: A creamy dressing that cools down the heat while adding tangy flavor.
• Tortilla Chips: Sturdy corn chips serve as the perfect base for this loaded creation.
• Shredded Cheese: Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend can add that melty goodness you crave.
• Fresh Toppings: Diced tomatoes, red onions, black olives, pickled jalapeños, and cilantro enhance both flavor and presentation.
• Avocado: Creamy slices elevate the dish with healthy fats and a smooth texture.
• Lime Wedges: A squeeze of lime juice brightens up the dish perfectly.

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Nachos

Making these nachos is as easy as pie!

1. Prepare the oven.

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large-rimmed baking sheet with foil and give it a light spray of cooking spray to help prevent sticking.

2. Prepare the buffalo chicken.

In a large sauté pan over medium heat, combine the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and ranch (or blue cheese) dressing. Stir well to make sure each piece of chicken is evenly coated. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently, until everything is blended nicely. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Assemble the nachos.

Spread the tortilla chips evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Be careful not to overlap too much so every chip can be topped. Spoon the buffalo chicken mixture evenly over the chips for great coverage. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the chicken.

4. Bake.

Pop the baking sheet in the oven and bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until that cheesy goodness is fully melted and bubbling.

5. Add the fresh toppings.

Take the nachos out of the oven and immediately add the diced tomatoes, red onions, black olives, pickled jalapeños, and chopped cilantro. Don’t forget the avocado slices and a fresh squeeze of lime juice if you like!

6. Drizzle and serve.

If you want to kick the flavor up a notch, drizzle some extra buffalo sauce or ranch/blue cheese dressing over the nachos. Serve right away while the cheese is still hot and gooey!

Tips for the Best Buffalo Chicken Nachos

If you want your nachos to look irresistible, follow these handy tips!

• Choose the best chips: Opt for thick, restaurant-style tortilla chips that won’t break under the weight of those delicious toppings.
• Grate your own cheese: Freshly grated cheese melts better than pre-shredded options and gives you a creamier texture.
• Put in the prep work: Have all your toppings chopped and ready before you start assembling to ensure a smooth assembly line.
• Spice them up or down: Choose the buffalo sauce based on your heat tolerance, and add extra ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side if things get too spicy.
• Work some batch bliss: If serving a crowd, consider making smaller batches since nachos are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
• Tailor your toppings: Feel free to add extras like bacon crumbles for that smoky touch, sour cream for a cooling effect, or switch out olives for corn or beans.
• Have fun with variations: Mix it up by swapping buffalo sauce for BBQ sauce, trying pulled pork instead of chicken, or introducing pineapple for a sweet and spicy twist!

How to Store

Buffalo chicken nachos are absolutely best enjoyed fresh, but if you want to prepare the buffalo chicken mixture ahead of time, here’s how to store it properly:

To Store:

Place the cooled buffalo chicken mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and it will keep well for about 3-4 days.

To Freeze:

For longer storage, transfer the cooled buffalo chicken mixture to a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat:

When you’re ready to whip up those nachos again, simply warm the buffalo chicken mixture in a skillet over low heat. You can add a few tablespoons of water if needed to loosen up the sauce a bit.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use regular chicken instead of rotisserie?

Absolutely! Cook and shred your own chicken if you prefer, but using rotisserie chicken makes it much quicker and still delicious.

2. What can I substitute if I don’t like blue cheese?

If blue cheese isn’t your thing, ranch dressing is a great alternative, or you can skip the dressing altogether and use fresh ingredients.

3. Are these nachos suitable for meal prep?

While nachos are best enjoyed right after they’re made, you can prepare the buffalo chicken in advance and store it for meal prep.

4. Can I add other toppings?

Yes! Feel free to get creative with toppings like cooked bacon, jalapeños, corn, beans, or even some fresh pineapple for a unique twist.

5. How can I make this dish vegetarian?

For a vegetarian version, consider using plant-based chicken alternatives or a hearty combination of beans and vegetables tossed in buffalo sauce!