Roasted Salsa Verde Chicken Nachos Recipe
These Roasted Salsa Verde Chicken Nachos are a flavorful and hearty dish featuring tender roasted chicken infused with aromatic spices and topped with zesty salsa verde, melted pepper jack cheese, and crispy tortilla chips. Perfect for game day or a casual party, this recipe brings a delicious Tex-Mex flair to your table with an easy roasting method.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients
Chicken and Spices
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 white onion, halved
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups Salsa Verde (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 (15-ounce) bag tortilla chips
- 3 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Seasoning: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a roasting pan or baking dish, place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Add the bay leaves, chili powder, cumin, smashed garlic cloves, sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and the halved white onion around the chicken.
- Roast the Chicken: Pour the salsa verde over the chicken and seasoning mixture, making sure the chicken is well coated. Cover the dish with foil and roast in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is tender enough to shred.
- Shred the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Using two forks, shred the chicken directly in the dish, mixing it with the roasted onions, garlic, and salsa verde sauce for extra flavor.
- Assemble the Nachos: On a large oven-safe platter or baking sheet, spread a layer of tortilla chips. Evenly distribute the shredded salsa verde chicken over the chips and sprinkle the shredded pepper jack cheese generously on top.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the assembled nachos under the broiler or back in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from the oven carefully, garnish if desired with fresh cilantro, diced jalapeños, or sour cream and serve immediately while warm and cheesy.
Notes
- You can substitute pepper jack cheese with a Mexican blend or cheddar for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and cumin to suit your preferred spice level.
- Salsa verde can be homemade using tomatillos or purchased from the store to save time.
- For added texture, consider adding sliced jalapeños or diced tomatoes on top before melting the cheese.
- If you prefer a crispy bottom layer, bake the chips for 5 minutes before adding toppings.
