Easy Baked Nachos Recipe

Searching for one of the simplest, most versatile recipes? Look no further than baked nachos. Nachos are the ideal dish, whether you need something for lunch, dinner, an appetizer, or a party snack. "These nachos are truly so versatile and can be served for any meal," says recipe developer and food photographer Petar Marshall. "You can't go wrong with chips topped with plenty of cheese and jam-packed with great flavor."

Putting together this pan of baked nachos will only take 10 minutes. Once all of the toppings are added, you'll only have to wait 5 minutes more for the cheese to melt in the oven. After 15 minutes, it'll be time to dig into gooey, melty cheese, hearty chicken, and a cilantro sour cream that completes the dish. 

Make these nachos as-is, or mix and match ingredients to customize them to your liking (it never hurts to add guacamole, too). Either way, they'll serve as the most convenient, delicious meal to enjoy with friends and family. 

To get started on making these quick and easy nachos, grab your ingredients. For this recipe, you'll need, tortilla chips, ½ a rotisserie chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, 1 lime, ½ a red onion, 1 tomato, and fresh cilantro. 

"I love to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken as a convenient option for these nachos," says Marshall. "Feel free to swap it out for homecooked chicken as well." 

Ready to get started? Preheat the oven to 350 F while you prep the nachos.

Use parchment paper to line a baking sheet. Spread a layer of tortilla chips on the pan to create the nacho base. 

Top the chips with shredded chicken, red onion, and cheddar cheese. "I love to add red onion to the mix and allow it to warm up with the cheese," says Marshall. "But it can be added on raw after baking, as well." 

Bake the nachos for 5-7 minutes to provide time for the cheese to melt. Once the cheese is melted, pull the baking sheet out of the oven. 

Let the nachos sit on the stovetop while you prep the cilantro sour cream. 

Stir together the sour cream, lime juice, and minced cilantro. Drizzle the mixture over the top of the nachos, and add the diced tomatoes. 

Finish off the tray of nachos with additional minced cilantro, along with a few lime wedges, if desired. "You could even add sliced avocado or jalapeños, too," says Marshall. Dig in while they're still warm!