Shredded chicken tenders, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, tomato, scallion, and a hint of lime make these nachos hard to resist. Perfect for game time or movie night.
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.
I had tortilla chips and unused chicken tenters in the house and decided to put together a nacho platter. To keep the chicken tender and flavorful, it was seasoned and then steamed. It was then shredded then re-seasoned to encapsulate every bit with flavor. 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, 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!) Even though they are young adults, as a mom, nothing pleases me more than to have my kids love what I prepared for the family. Somehow it means even more now knowing that they will be on their own soon.
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. I didn’t call it anything—I was too busy shoveling it in my mouth.
MONTEREY CHICKEN NACHOS
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 scant tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. chipotle chili pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 lb. boneless chicken tenters or boneless skinless chicken breast
5 tbsp. lime juice, divided
1 avocado
2 large plum tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped scallion
6 oz. tortilla chips (about half of a 13 oz. bag)
8 oz. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
INSTRUCTIONS:
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.
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. Place chicken, single layer, in steaming rack. Cover and steam for 6 to 7 minutes or until chicken is white throughout. If you have a small steaming rack, you may need to cook in two batches. 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.
Peel and remove seed from avocado. Dice tomatoes. Combine avocado, tomatoes, and 1 tablespoon lime juice in a small bowl.
Preheat oven on low broil with rack on the upper half of oven but not directly under the heat source.
Line a standard size cookie sheet with tortillas. Add layers as follows: half of the cheese; chicken, avocado and tomato; scallion; the remaining cheese. Broil for about 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Keep a close eye on it as it will burn quickly. Makes 4 servings.
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In Good Flavor
Yum, yum, yum! I love chicken nachos with any kind of cheese on it! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Ooooooh, look at all that cheesy goodness!!! We would devour that 😀
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!
Cheese makes us all happy too. Thanks for coming by, Amanda!
Nachos are my husband's favorite too! These look delicious! Love all those toppings and gooey cheese on here!
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.
These look so good! I love a good Nacho-for-dinner night. The best!
Aww, I love nachos so much… and yours look so good! 🙂
Thank you, Karen! I appreciate you stopping by!
Thank you Lily!
As soon as I saw what you posted, I decided what our dinner is tomorrow night!! Looks so so good!
Wonderful! I hope you like it!!
Love this recipe! Must be very tasty and is a pretty dish too!
Thank you so much, Anita!
I do love to eat nachos! These look wonderful. Love all that cheesy goodness!
Thank you, Christin. Cheese does make everything better!
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
Thank you Laura. It is a pretty tasty dish.
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.
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!
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
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/
I hope you will get a chance to try it out. Thank you for stopping by!
Yeah!! I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you so much for the feature!!
Wow, these look fantastic! I am a sucker for nachos 🙂
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 🙂
Thank you, Ashley!
Thanks Amrita! I love looking at all your veganized recipes. They are so interesting and I'm always learning something new.
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!
I'm happy to be fueling your Mexican food addiction, Pattie! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you'll like it!
I'm sure these would disappear fast — I love all the flavors you used!
Thank you, April! It disappears quite quickly in my house!