Buffalo Chicken Nachos (Printable Version)

Crispy chips piled high with spicy buffalo chicken, melted cheese, and ranch drizzle—ideal for game day entertaining.

# What You'll 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 Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F
02 - In a medium bowl, toss the shredded chicken with buffalo wing sauce until evenly 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 oven and drizzle ranch dressing over the hot nachos
08 - Top with green onions, diced celery, tomatoes, and cilantro as desired, then serve immediately while hot

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in under half an hour, so you can go from craving to serving without missing a moment of the action.
  • The contrast between spicy buffalo chicken and cool ranch drizzle hits every flavor note you want in a shareable plate.
  • You can scale it up or down easily depending on how many people are gathered around your table.
  • Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, though in my experience there are rarely any left.
02 -
  • Do not stack the chips too high or the bottom layer will steam and turn soggy instead of staying crisp.
  • Toss the chicken with sauce before adding it to the chips, not after, so the flavor gets locked in and does not just sit on the surface.
  • Serve these nachos right out of the oven because they lose their magic as the cheese cools and hardens.
03 -
  • Warm your buffalo sauce slightly before tossing it with the chicken so it coats more evenly and absorbs better.
  • Grate your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded for a creamier melt without any anti-caking agents getting in the way.
  • Add a handful of pickled jalapeño slices right before serving if you want a tangy kick that does not overpower the ranch.
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