Easy Shredded Chicken Nachos Recipe in the Oven (With Tips, Tricks & Toppings!)

This is my favorite recipe for the “What’s for dinner?” that hits me hard out of nowhere at 4:47 p.m. on a busy day. 😆

When life’s chaotic and your crew’s hungry, easy chicken nachos in the oven are the no-fuss, family-friendly dinner that actually gets rave reviews. Whether I’ve got rotisserie chicken on hand, some leftover taco meat, or even a can of chicken stashed in the pantry, this meal comes to the rescue—fast.

Oh, and here’s the best part? You can pile on whatever toppings your family actually likes. No side-eyes at dinner. Just crispy, cheesy, delicious goodness.

Nachos in the Oven

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Customizable: Use shredded chicken, ground chicken, rotisserie, BBQ chicken—whatever’s in your fridge.
• Super Quick: Less than 30 minutes start to finish.
• Zero Complaints: Everyone can build their own plate and skip what they don’t like.
• Kid-Friendly + Picky-Eater Approved: Who says dinner can’t be fun and filling?

Ingredients for Pulled Chicken Nachos

Main Ingredients:

• • • 8 cups Tortilla Chips
    • 3 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
    • 6 cups chicken breasts, cooked
    • 1/8 cup taco seasoning (about one packet)
    • 1 Can Rotel
    • Fixings for nachos: sour cream, salsa, black beans, black olives

    Optional Toppings (before baking):

    • Sliced jalapeños (fresh or pickled)
    • Drained corn
    • Black olives
    • Diced tomatoes
    • Refried beans
    • Diced red onion

    After-Baking Toppings:

    • Sour cream
    • Guacamole (buttery, smooth texture with avocados and lime juice)
    • Green onions (both green and white parts!)
    • Salsa or hot sauce
    • Pico de gallo
    • Cilantro

    Instructions – How to Make Chicken Nachos in the Oven

    1. In a four quart (or large Crockpot), layer your boneless chicken breasts on the bottom.
    2. Pour your undrained can of Rotel on top of the chicken.
    3. Sprinkle with taco seasoning.
    4. Cover the crockpot and cook on high for three to four hours, or on low for six to eight hours.
    5. Don’t forget to check the temp of your shredded chicken taco meat with your meat thermometer!
    6. Shred the chicken using two forks or a hand mixer.

    
    
    

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** If you already have your chicken prepared, you can start here:

1. 1. 1. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet.
      2. Lay tortilla chips out on the parchment paper.
      3. Cover chips with drained shredded chicken.
      4. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
      5. ** Add a layer of optional ingredients that you don’t mind hot in temperature.
      6. Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees until cheese is melted.
      7. Top with cold ingredients.

Tip: Serve with side plates and a spatula for serving.

Tips for the Best Chicken Nachos

• • • Use thick chips: Thin tortilla chips will collapse under all that flavor.
    • Rotisserie chicken saves time: Toss it with seasoning + Rotel and it’s golden.
    • Double the cheese: Blend Monterey Jack and cheddar for that perfect melt.
    • Foil or parchment = easy cleanup: Plus crispier chips!
    • Only bake what needs melting: Keep sour cream and guac cold and creamy.

Variations

• • • BBQ Chicken Nachos: Toss chicken in BBQ sauce for a smoky twist.
    • Ground Chicken Nachos: Brown with onion and taco seasoning for extra flavor.
    • Canned Chicken Nachos: Quick, easy, and surprisingly tasty when well-seasoned!
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos: Great for feeding a crowd and easy cleanup.
    • White Chicken Nachos: Use white queso instead of cheddar.

Serving Suggestions

• • • Perfect for game nights or movie marathons.
    • Set up a nacho bar for a DIY dinner win.
    • Pair with Mexican rice or a simple green salad for a full meal.

Storage & Reheating

• • • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If I make a huge amount of shredded chickne will sometimes go four days, and I’ve made it this far, but that’s up to you.
    • Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to keep them crisp.
    • Avoid microwaving—unless you like sad, soggy chips.

FAQ’s – Your Nacho Questions Answered

• • • What seasoning is good on shreded chicken nachos? Taco seasoning or a mix of cumin, garlic, and chili powder does the trick.
    • What is the secret to making good nachos? Thick chips, layers, and baking only what needs heating!
    • Is pulled chicken the same as shredded? Pretty much—pulled tends to be slow-cooked, but both work great.
    • Can I melt shredded cheese for nachos? Definitely! Just use a good-quality cheese—shred it yourself for best results.
    • Some people have asked: What other spices you can use for Mexican chicken? Cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika are classic choices.
    • What to put on loaded chicken nachos? Chicken, beans, lots of cheese, jalapeños, onion, sour cream, guac… you name it!
    • Will shredded cheese melt? Yes, especially when baked. Pepper jack and Monterey Jack are melt-tastic!

Nutrition Information (per serving approx.)

• • • Calories: 430
    • Protein: 24g
    • Carbohydrates: 38g
    • Fiber: 4g
    • Sodium: 650mg
    • Cholesterol: 55mg
    • Fat: 22g

Print Pin

Easy Chicken Oven Nachos Recipe

Save time, make less mess and have a meal for 4-5 with this easy nachos hack!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Mexican

Prep Time 6 hours hours

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 6 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 5 people

Calories 1380kcal

Ingredients

• 8 cups Tortilla Chips
• 3 cups Shredded cheddar cheese
• 6 cups chicken breasts cooked
• 1/8 cup taco seasoning about one packet
• 1 Can Rotel
• Fixings for nachos sour cream, salsa, black beans, black olives

Instructions

• In a four quart (or large Crockpot), layer your boneless chicken breasts on the bottom.
• Pour your undrained can of Rotel on top of the chicken
• Sprinkle with taco seasoning
• Cover the crockpot and cook on high for three to four hours, or on low for six to eight hours.
• Don’t forget to check the temp of your shredded chicken taco meat with your meat thermometer!
• Shred the chicken using two forks or a hand mixer.

** If you already have your chicken prepared, you can start here:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet
• Lay tortilla chips out on the parchment paper
• Cover chips with drained shredded chicken
• Top with shredded cheddar cheese
• ** Add a layer of optional ingredients that you don't mind hot in temperature
• Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees until cheese is melted
• Top with cold ingredients

Notes

Serve with side plates and a spatula for serving

FUN TIP: Want to personalize your nachos? Serve all the toppings buffet-style and let everyone build their own masterpiece!