Loaded Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Nachos Recipe
Loaded Sheet Pan BBQ Chicken Nachos are a deliciously easy and crowd-pleasing dish featuring shredded BBQ chicken layered over crispy tortilla chips, topped with melted Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses, red onions, pickled jalapeños, and warm queso. Baked to perfection on a sheet pan, these nachos are perfect for game day, parties, or a quick weeknight snack.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Chicken Mixture
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- ¾ cup BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- ⅛ - ¼ teaspoons cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Nacho Base & Toppings
- 15 ounce bag tortilla chips
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ⅓ cup chopped red onions
- ½ cup mild pickled jalapeños (drained)
- ⅓ cup warm queso or nacho cheese (homemade or store-bought)
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prep: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat it to 350ºF. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up. In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, cayenne pepper if using, and garlic powder. Set aside.
- Arrange: Spread tortilla chips evenly on the prepared sheet pan. Distribute the BBQ chicken mixture evenly over the chips using a fork. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses on top, followed by chopped red onions and pickled jalapeños. Bake in the oven for 11-13 minutes, or until the cheese just melts.
- Serve: While the nachos bake, ensure the queso is at a spoonable consistency by gently warming it in the microwave in 10-second intervals if needed, stirring in between. Once the cheese melts, remove the sheet pan from the oven and drizzle the queso over the nachos. Return to the oven for 1-2 minutes to warm the queso. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top and serve immediately. For extra toppings, consider adding chopped scallions, sour cream, or guacamole as desired.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for quick and flavorful shredded chicken.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount based on preferred spice level or omit for mild flavor.
- Line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Warm queso gently as overheating can cause it to become too thick or separate.
- Feel free to customize toppings with sour cream, guacamole, or fresh scallions for added flavor.
