Buffalo Chicken Nachos (Printable)

Crispy chips topped with spicy buffalo chicken, melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, finished with cool ranch drizzle.

# 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
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

→ Ranch Drizzle

10 - 1/3 cup ranch dressing

# Directions:

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. Serve immediately while hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It rescues you when guests arrive earlier than expected and the fridge looks bare.
  • The contrast between spicy buffalo heat and cool ranch makes every bite feel balanced and exciting.
  • You can assemble it in the time it takes to preheat the oven, no chopping or marinating required.
  • Leftovers (if there are any) reheat surprisingly well for a next-day snack.
02 -
  • Don't overload the chips or the bottom layer will turn into a soggy, sauce-soaked mess that nobody wants to eat.
  • If you skip preheating the oven fully, the cheese takes forever to melt and the chips lose their crunch.
  • Drizzle the ranch after baking, not before, or it will separate and look unappetizing.
  • Use parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup, because melted cheese on a bare baking sheet is a nightmare to scrub.
03 -
  • Layer cheese between the chips and on top so every level gets gooey and delicious, not just the surface.
  • Warm your ranch dressing slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds so it drizzles smoothly instead of clumping.
  • Serve nachos on a preheated platter to keep them hot longer, especially if your party tends to graze slowly.
  • If you have leftovers, reheat them in the oven at 350°F instead of the microwave to revive the crispness.
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