Tasty Recipes for the Home Cook

Appetizer Chicken / Poultry Snacks

Monterey Chicken Nachos

Shredded chicken tenders, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, tomato, scallion, and a hint of lime make these nachos hard to resist. Perfect for an appetizer, as game day food, or for movie night.

Monterey Chicken Nachos

Nachos is a popular snack in my household as it is in many. My husband is the biggest fan of all and often snacks on this salty, cheesy guilty pleasure. However, he prefers it very plain—with only American cheese and salsa. He’s a man with simple needs (haa haa). I, on the other hand, like it to be more substantial with other things going on. And I love the Mexican flavor of this nachos appetizer!

I had tortilla chips and unused chicken tenders in the house and decided to put together a nacho platter. To keep the chicken tender and flavorful, I simply seasoned then steamed it. I then shredded then re-seasoned it to encapsulate every bit with flavor.

If you have leftover chicken, this is the perfect way to use some up. It makes the nachos come together that much faster!

Quick Sausage Kale and Gnocchi Stew

For more deliciousness, Monterey Jack cheese provided the gooey factor. Tomato, avocado, scallion, and lime juice provided bright fresh flavors and color. I served it plain, but you can add sour cream, crema, guacamole, or whatever pleases you. 

My family thoroughly enjoyed these nachos. My son, especially, LOVED it. As he bit into his second bite, he requested that I make it again. (Yes!! Score another one for Mom!) I can always count on food to win his heart 😉

Quick Sausage Kale and Gnocchi Stew

Oh, just because I call this Monterey Chicken Nachos, it doesn’t mean that you can’t make it if you don’t have Monterey cheese. Use what’s available…and you get to call it whatever you want. I made a batch after this particular one but had only sharp cheddar…Sharp Nachos anyone? I need to rethink the name on that one.

Recommended supplies:

(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)

  • Steamer basket—can be used with your existing pans. This set of two stainless steel has a 10-inch and 11.5-inch basket.
  • Baking sheet—this half sheet size pan is nonstick aluminized steel has a corrugated surface for even heat distribution and quick release. It is also warp resistant.
  • Kitchen tongs—this is stainless steel with a silicone head and non-slip handle. It is heat resistant up to 600° F.

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Monterey Chicken Nachos

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 10 minutesTotal time: 20 minutesServings:4 Servings

Description

Shredded chicken tenders, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, tomato, scallion, and a hint of lime make these nachos hard to resist. Perfect for an appetizer, as game day food, or for movie night.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Bring small amount of water in a pan equipped with a steaming rack to a boil. Don’t let the water touch the base of the rack.
  2. Combine the first six ingredients in a small bowl.  If using chicken breast, cut into 1-inch thick strips. Sprinkle half of the spice mixture onto the chicken.
  3. Place chicken, single layer, in steaming rack. Cover and steam for 6 to 7 minutes or until chicken is white throughout and the internal temperature is 165° F. Transfer to a plate. If you have a small steaming rack, you may need to cook in two batches.
  4. Meanwhile, preheat oven to LOW broil. Set oven rack on the second rack down from the top.
  5. Use the pocket of time while the chicken steams to prep the tomato and avocado: peel and remove seed from avocado. Dice tomatoes. Combine avocado, tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon lime juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
  6. Shred chicken using two forks. Add 2 tablespoon of the water from the pan and 4 tablespoons of lime juice to the reserved spice mix. Pour over chicken and mix to combine.
  7. Line a standard size cookie sheet with tortillas. Add layers as follows: half of the cheese; chicken, avocado and tomato; scallion; the remaining cheese.
  8. Broil for about 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on it as it will burn quickly. Serve immediately with optional toppings: sour cream, crema, guacamole, etc.
  9. Makes 4 servings.
Keywords:Nachos, Monterey Cheese, Chicken, Game Day Food, Appetizer, Mexican

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32 Comments

  1. Yum, yum, yum! I love chicken nachos with any kind of cheese on it! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  2. Ooooooh, look at all that cheesy goodness!!! We would devour that 😀

  3. It is a bit addicting, kind of like potato chips. You can't have just one or two bites—you're not satisfied until it's gone. Thanks for stopping by, Karrie!

  4. Cheese makes us all happy too. Thanks for coming by, Amanda!

  5. Nachos are my husband's favorite too! These look delicious! Love all those toppings and gooey cheese on here!

  6. It's easy to see how the husbands like them so much. Nachos are like potato chips…you can never have just one or two. Thanks for stopping by, Kelly.

  7. These look so good! I love a good Nacho-for-dinner night. The best!

  8. Aww, I love nachos so much… and yours look so good! 🙂

  9. Thank you, Karen! I appreciate you stopping by!

  10. As soon as I saw what you posted, I decided what our dinner is tomorrow night!! Looks so so good!

  11. Wonderful! I hope you like it!!

  12. Love this recipe! Must be very tasty and is a pretty dish too!

  13. I do love to eat nachos! These look wonderful. Love all that cheesy goodness!

  14. Thank you, Christin. Cheese does make everything better!

  15. Ooh how delicious! Love all the combinations going on. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!! Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

  16. Thank you Laura. It is a pretty tasty dish.

  17. Nachos (and pizza) are my two favorite splurge foods. As a matter of fact, if given the choice, I would pick nachos over dessert any day. These look absolutely divine and I can see why the boys made requests for an encore.

  18. Hi Lynn! Welcome back from your trip. I hope you have had a chance to splurge on your guilty pleasures since you returned. If not, get yourself some nachos or pizza soon! And thank you!

  19. I can't wait to try your Monterey Chicken Nachos, looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very special weekend!
    Miz Helen

  20. Congratulations! Your Delicious Nachos are featured at our Simple Supper Tuesday Linky Party! Pinned on our Board! Nettie
    LINK: http://mooreorlesscooking.com/2015/03/30/simple-supper-tuesday-linky-party-55/

  21. I hope you will get a chance to try it out. Thank you for stopping by!

  22. Yeah!! I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for the feature!!

  23. Wow, these look fantastic! I am a sucker for nachos 🙂

  24. this looks FANTASTIC! I can totally see myself making a vegan version for us, those colors pop like crazy. I love anything with nachos in it 🙂

  25. Thanks Amrita! I love looking at all your veganized recipes. They are so interesting and I'm always learning something new.

  26. I could eat Mexican food a couple of times a week. You really have my mouth watering with these nachos. I'll be trying these!

  27. I'm happy to be fueling your Mexican food addiction, Pattie! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll like it!

  28. I'm sure these would disappear fast — I love all the flavors you used!

  29. Thank you, April! It disappears quite quickly in my house!

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