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Cheese/ Chicken/ Finger Food/ Spice/ Tex Mex

Chicken Fajita Nachos

January 2, 2020 (Last Updated: December 9, 2022) by Chris Collins

When Chicken Fajitas meet double decker nachos, good things happen. These Chicken Fajita Nachos are the perfect crowd pleaser!

chicken fajita nachos garnished with coriander served on a tray with dips next to them

Chicken Fajita Nachos

If you’re anything like me, when you’re feeding a crowd, unless your guests are waddling out on all fours, you’ve completely failed as a host. I mean heaven forbid anybody walks out even the slightest bit hungry. Genuinely sends shivers down my spine 😂 These nachos are PERFECT for sending a room of people into a food coma, but here’s why else I think you’ll love them:

  • Easy – Even the most beginner of cook can master these nachos!
  • Flavoursome – Not just regular cheese and tortilla chips, these chicken nachos really pack a punch in the flavour department.
  • Adjustable – Easy to adjust for smaller or bigger crowds.

Ok, gimme a nacho, I’m getting hungry all over again…

close up of pulling nacho with cheese pull

Homemade Fajita Chicken

For this recipe, I go with chicken breast and dice it up nice and small. I find larger chunks of chicken tend to overpower the nachos a little. In terms of seasoning, you can just grab store bought fajita seasoning, or make my Homemade Fajita Seasoning. Of course, I recommend the latter 😏

Apart from that, it’s just a case of using mixed peppers, onion, jalapeños (optional) and a nice squeeze of lime juice. Simples!

How to make Fajita Chicken for Nachos (quick summary)

  1. Dice chicken.
  2. Add seasoning.
  3. Stir to combine.
  4. Add to medium-high heat with oil.
  5. Fry until cooked through/lightly charred.
  6. Remove & add peppers/onion/jalapeño.
  7. Fry until soft, add seasoning.
  8. Mix in chicken and lime juice.

How to make chicken fajita - 8 step by step photos

What oil to use? – I recommend using Avocado Oil as it adds flavour and has a high smoking point. Fajitas have a classic char to them and an oil like avocado oil helps when cooking at high heat. Having said that, any oil you have on hand will be a fine sub.

Double Decker Nachos

Because seriously, are nachos even nachos if they aren’t double decker?! I mean yes. All nachos are great. But double decker is better.

How do I prevent my nachos from going soggy?

  1. Chip – ensure you choose a sturdy chip. Nothing thin a flimsy. A nice strong tortilla chip to hold the weight.
  2. Moisture – when you fry the veg make sure you properly sweat it all down to remove as much moisture as possible.
  3. Speed – make sure you eat ’em fast! No messing around, straight out of the oven, straight into the face. The longer they sit the more chance they steam themselves into a soggy infinity.

How to make Chicken Fajita Nachos (quick summary)

  1. Spread tortilla chips.
  2. Top with fajita chicken.
  3. Top with cheese.
  4. More tortilla chips.
  5. More chicken.
  6. Finish with cheese and bake!

How to make chicken fajita nachos - 6 step by step photos

Chicken Fajita Nachos FAQ

What cheese to use for chicken fajita nachos? – I recommend cheddar and/or Monterey Jack. You can add a bit of mozzarella for a cheese pull, but not too much as it’ll dilute the cheesy flavour.

Can I use beef?

You could sub the chicken and use ground beef with the exact same spice mix. It would just be less ‘fajita nachos’ and more ‘Mexican ground beef nachos’. I recommend 500g/1lb.

Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken?

Sure! Just shred the chicken with the spices and fry for a few mins in some oil, just to lock in the flavours.

How spicy are these nachos?

They do have a good kick of spice, but nothing overly dramatic. If you’re at all wary of spice, you can reduce the cayenne pepper in the spice mix and/or reduce/omit the jalapeños. You can then serve with more jalapeños on top if you want more spice!

overhead shot of chicken nachos on tray garnished with coriander

Serving Chicken Fajita Nachos

When it comes to serving the nachos, I love to finish with some coriander/cilantro for a pop of flavour and colour. I also like to serve with some Guac, Salsa and Sour Cream. I recommend serving these in pots to one side, not on top of the nachos. Mainly because not everyone might like them, but mostly because you’re adding unwanted moisture to the nachos.

If you like the sound of these nachos, I’m confident you’ll love my BBQ Chicken Nachos, No Bake Nachos, Irish Nachos and Gnocchi Nachos. Also give these similar recipes a ganders:

Easy Tex Mex Recipes

Alrighty, let’s tuck into these fajita chicken nachos shall we?!

dipping chicken fajita nacho into tomato salsa

How to make Chicken Fajita Nachos (Full Recipe & Video)

chicken fajita nachos garnished with coriander served on a tray with dips next to them

Chicken Fajita Nachos

When Chicken Fajitas meet double decker nachos, good things happen. These Chicken Fajita Nachos are the perfect crowd pleaser!
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin Rate
Servings (click & slide): 8
Course: Appetizer / Finger Food
Cuisine: Tex Mex
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Calories per serving: 394kcal
Cost per serving: $1 / £1

Equipment:

  • 8" x 12" Baking Tray (or similar size)
  • Large Frying Pan & Wooden Spoon
  • Medium Size Mixing Bowl & Spatula
  • Cheese Grater
  • Sharp Knife & Chopping Board

Ingredients (check list):

  • 7-9oz / 200-250g thick/sturdy Tortilla Chips, or as needed
  • 3 cups / 300g Cheese, or as needed (see notes)
  • 1lb / 500g Chicken Breast, diced into very small chunks (at room temp)
  • 3 tbsp Fajita Seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
  • 3 small Peppers, finely diced (1x Red 1x Green 1x Yellow)
  • 1 medium Red Onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 Lime, juice only
  • 1/4 cup Pickled Jalapeños, finely diced (optional)
  • Avocado Oil, as needed (or oil you have on hand)

To serve (optional)

  • finely diced Coriander/Cilantro,
  • 1 cup Guac
  • 1 cup Salsa
  • 1 cup Sour Cream

Instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
  • Place chicken into a mixing bowl. Remove 1 tsp from your fajita mix (this will be used for the veg) and pour the rest in with the chicken. Use a spatula to combine until completely coated, then place to one side.
  • Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium-high heat, then add the chicken. Fry until white through the centre and nicely charred on the outside. Remove from pan.
  • Heat up 1 tsp oil (or as needed) then add the peppers, onion and jalapeños if using. Fry until they begin to soften, then stir in 1 tsp fajita seasoning. Continue frying until completely soft and starting to char.
  • Turn off heat.
  • Add chicken back in and stir through the juice of half a lime. Place pan to one side.
  • Stack half the tortilla chips, followed by half the chicken, followed by half the cheese. Repeat another layer, then pop in the oven for 15mins or until the cheese goes nice and gooey.
  • Garnish with coriander/cilantro and serve with guac, salsa and sour cream!

Quick 1 min demo!

Notes:

a) Half portion - The whole recipe will comfortably feed 8. It's easily divided in half, just use the serving slider at the top of the recipe card.
b) Cheese - I usually go for 3/4 cheddar and 1/4 mozzarella. Pepper Jack/Monterey Jack also works great.
c) Lime Juice - This is optional, but does add a nice kick of flavour and brings out the spices in the chicken. Just don't go overboard or you'll add too much moisture and risk the nachos ending up soggy!
d) Tortilla Chips - Opt for a nice thick, sturdy chip. This will keep things keep them from going mushy too quickly, especially if you're doing double-decker.
e) Eat 'em up quick - The longer you leave them, the less melty the cheese will be and the more chance of the tortilla chips going soggy. Also, 15mins is just a guidance. You really only need them in the oven long enough the melt the cheese (as the chicken is already cooked).
f) Calories - shared between 8 people, using 3 cups Monterey jack cheese and 1 tbsp + 1 tsp avocado oil to fry. No side dips.

Your Private Notes:

Nutrition:

Nutrition Facts
Chicken Fajita Nachos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 394 Calories from Fat 191
% Daily Value*
Fat 21.21g33%
Saturated Fat 9.208g46%
Trans Fat 0.016g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.124g
Monounsaturated Fat 7.347g
Cholesterol 70mg23%
Sodium 593mg25%
Potassium 432mg12%
Carbohydrates 24.79g8%
Fiber 2.5g10%
Sugar 1.49g2%
Protein 25.61g51%
Vitamin A 642IU13%
Vitamin C 129.8mg157%
Calcium 359mg36%
Iron 1.72mg10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looking for more?You'll find plenty more delicious comfort food like this in my Debut Cookbook 'Comfy'

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5 from 4 votes

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12 Comments

  • Reply
    Janice Holt
    July 28, 2020 at 1:40 am

    Loved these nachos and made seasoning also. My family loved them and thanks for the tip on buying quality nachos because they are so much better than the cheaper brand.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      July 28, 2020 at 10:44 am

      Glad they went down well Janice! Great to hear 🙂

  • Reply
    Patty at Spoonabilities
    January 3, 2020 at 1:31 am

    5 stars
    OMG I need these chicken nachos in my life seriously every day! So perfect!

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      January 3, 2020 at 12:00 pm

      Thanks, Patty 🙂

  • Reply
    Sharon
    January 3, 2020 at 12:37 am

    5 stars
    These Chicken Fajita nachos are genius! Layers of flavor, perfect for scooping and you skip having to assemble them seperatly.

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      January 3, 2020 at 12:00 pm

      Thanks, Sharon! 🙂

  • Reply
    Jayne
    January 3, 2020 at 12:23 am

    I love Chicken Nachos! the step by step is really helpful. This will be an addition to our game day appetizers

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      January 3, 2020 at 12:00 pm

      Glad you find the step by steps helpful! 🙂

  • Reply
    Irina
    January 2, 2020 at 11:44 pm

    5 stars
    Oh, wow! This sounds a great variation of comfort food! LOVE it from all my heart! I am bookmaking to make it during busy weeknights:)

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      January 3, 2020 at 11:59 am

      Enjoy! 🙂

  • Reply
    Tisha
    January 2, 2020 at 10:48 pm

    5 stars
    These Nachos look like the perfect idea for a game day! Such great flavors!

    • Reply
      Chris Collins
      January 3, 2020 at 11:59 am

      So good for game day!!

    5 KNOCKOUT

    DINNERS

    YOU'LL NEVER STOP MAKING!

    A FREE EMAIL SERIES, FROM ONE FOODIE TO ANOTHER