Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nachos (Printable)

Crispy chips layered with spicy buffalo chicken, melted cheese blend, and fresh toppings. Quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
02 - 1/3 cup buffalo wing sauce

→ Nachos

03 - 7 oz tortilla chips
04 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Toppings

06 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
07 - 1/4 cup diced celery
08 - 1/4 cup diced tomatoes, optional
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, optional

→ Ranch Drizzle

10 - 1/3 cup ranch dressing

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the shredded chicken with buffalo wing sauce until well coated
03 - Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet lined with parchment paper
04 - Scatter the buffalo chicken evenly over the chips
05 - Sprinkle both cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the chicken and chips
06 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling
07 - Remove from the oven and drizzle ranch dressing over the hot nachos
08 - Top with green onions, diced celery, tomatoes, and cilantro as desired
09 - Serve while hot for optimal flavor and texture

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under half an hour, so you're never stuck in the kitchen when people arrive.
  • The contrast between spicy buffalo chicken and cool ranch makes every bite interesting without overwhelming anyone.
  • You can scale this up or down depending on whether it's just you and a movie or a whole crowd gathered around the TV.
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, though they rarely make it to the next day.
02 -
  • Don't overload the chips or the bottom layer will get soggy and the top will burn before the middle heats through.
  • If you're using store-bought rotisserie chicken, pull off the skin first; it doesn't shred well and can make the texture weird.
  • Ranch dressing straight from the fridge can be thick, so let it sit out for a few minutes or thin it with a splash of milk for easier drizzling.
03 -
  • Toast your tortilla chips in the oven for 3 minutes before adding toppings if they've been open for a while; it brings back their crunch.
  • Mix a spoonful of sour cream into your ranch dressing for an even creamier, tangier drizzle.
  • If you want to make these gluten-free, double-check your buffalo sauce and chip labels, and swap in a gluten-free ranch if needed.
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