Print

Chicken Fajita Nachos

Crispy chicken fajita nachos loaded with colorful peppers, melted cheese, and fresh toppings.

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

A quick and easy one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights or festive gatherings. Crispy tortilla chips are layered with boldly seasoned fajita chicken, peppers, onions, and melted cheese, then topped with fresh garnishes. It’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food that comes together in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into thin strips
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large bell pepper (any color), thinly sliced
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 (10-12 oz) bag sturdy tortilla chips
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (Monterey Jack and cheddar blend)
  • Optional toppings: sliced jalapeños, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, sour cream, guacamole, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook for 4-5 minutes until starting to brown.
  3. Add sliced bell pepper and onion to the skillet. Sprinkle all spices (chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper) over everything. Cook, stirring often, for 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through and veggies are tender-crisp.
  4. Squeeze lime juice over the chicken mixture, stir, and remove from heat.
  5. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, spread half the tortilla chips in an even layer. Sprinkle with half the shredded cheese. Spoon half the chicken fajita mixture evenly over the top.
  6. Repeat layers with remaining chips, cheese, and chicken mixture.
  7. Bake for 5-8 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
  8. Remove from oven and immediately top with desired fresh toppings like diced tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream, guacamole, and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, avoid adding wet toppings like salsa or sour cream before baking to prevent soggy chips. Shredding cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded will yield a meltier result. The cooked fajita chicken mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition