Friday means Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos. Don’t you agree? Crisp tortilla chips topped with Mexicali seasoned chicken, melty cheese and an array of fresh toppings like: orange and yellow peppers, red onion, fresh tomato and jalapeño, avocado, sour cream and a sprinkle of finely minced cilantro. Serves 2 (4 if snacking) in about 35 minutes.

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

WE DID IT! It’s safe to say, we made it through another week and I’m super pumped that Friday is here. Pat and I have a full weekend ahead of us; a window guy coming to give us an estimate on new windows and then we have dinner plans with friends (super excited about this). On Saturday, I’m hoping to start painting our entryway. A small step towards re-painting our entire main level, so I’m going room by room. Then on Sunday, I normally don’t blog but I have a cake recipe I really want to make, so I’m baking and probably picking up my groceries.

Anyhoo, Friday’s are made for nacho consumption.

On Friday’s, for awhile I’d make us nachos and call it ‘Nacho Night’. This was before high school football or basketball games became a regular thing my daughters go to, back when we all didn’t have Friday plans except for nachos and a game of Apples to Apples. Oh the good ol’ days.

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

I shared my Mexicali seasoning yesterday and today I’m showing you what I did with it.

Mexicali seasoned chicken is delicious and one of my favorite things to use it for is nachos. I have these oven-safe dishes that I usually divide chips among separately because not everyone likes the same toppings. Mal likes just chips, meat, cheese and avocado. Haileigh likes chips, meat, cheese, a little bell pepper, no onions and hot sauce. Pat and I are on the same page as far as toppings [load’em up!] go, but he puts an unnatural amount of hot sauce on his.

However this time I’m making a sheet pan nacho. Perfect for two or could be shared by 4 if only snacking.

ingredients for Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

To Make These Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos You Will Need:

  • chicken
  • a couple limes
  • olive oil
  • mexicali seasoning
  • freshly shredded cheese –not the pre-bagged stuff which is coated in cellulose and won’t melt well
  • any and all the toppings you want to use on top of your nachos like: bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, avocado, jalapeño and cilantro

Chicken

To make the chicken:

Place boneless skinless chicken breast halves into a shallow dish. I bought 1-1/4 pounds so I could have extra chicken for meals throughout the week – I was thinking ahead, something that doesn’t happen too often. But if you wanted to make two 1/4-sheet pans or even a larger sheet pan nacho, 1-1/4 pound of chicken will feed 4 easily.

Add olive oil, lime juice and Mexicali seasoning

Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of olive oil, the juice of 1/2 a large and juicy lime and 1-1/2 tablespoons of the mexicali seasoning.

toss too coat

Toss to coat and let the chicken sit while you preheat a large skillet with the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil.

cook chicken breasts in skillet.

Once the pan is hot, cook the chicken 5 to 6 minutes a side or until fully cooked.

add chicken back in the skillet.

Then transfer it to a cutting board to rest for a few minutes before slicing and then finally chopping the chicken into small pieces. Add the chicken back into the pan and toss, picking up the goodness on the bottom of the pan.

Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 325℉ (or 160℃).

top tortilla chips with cheese, onions peppers and some of the chicken.

For the Nachos:

Line a small quarter sheet pan or two with parchment and in a single layer, arrange the chips so only the corners overlap a smidgen. Top with a little shredded cheese — I personally think cheddar jack is the perfect cheese for nachos, but use your favorite — then top with some or all of the chicken, onions and peppers.

repeat with the second layer of toppings.

Top with more cheese and bake in a preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. When the cheese has melted, you know your mexicali chicken sheet pan Nachos are done.

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

Then I topped our nacho with diced fresh tomato, avocado, sour cream and finely minced fresh cilantro.

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

Beer and/or margaritas are optional.

These Mexicali chicken sheet pan nachos are SO GOOOOOOOD. Sorry for all-caps-ing you but these nachos are phenomenal!

It smells absolutely amazing while it’s in the oven. I think it’s safe to say that these are better than any nachos you might order at a restaurant. For sure.

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

Enjoy! And if you give this Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

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Yield: 4 servings

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

Friday means Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos. Don't you agree? Crisp tortilla chips topped with Mexicali seasoned chicken, melty cheese and an array of fresh toppings like: orange and yellow peppers, red onion, fresh tomato and jalapeño, avocado, sour cream and a sprinkle of finely minced cilantro. Serves 2 (4 if snacking) in about 35 minutes. If making fro 4 there's no need to double the chicken amount.

Ingredients

FOR THE CHICKEN:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast halves
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons for skillet
  • 1/2 large lime, juiced
  • tablespoons Mexicali Seasoning

FOR THE NACHO:

  • tortilla chips
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/4 to 1/3 cup finely diced red onion
  • 8 ounces shredded cheddar jack cheese, (see notes)

FOR SERVING:

  • 1 to 2 roma tomato, seeded and diced
  • 1 sliced avocado
  • 1 sliced fresh jalapeño
  • 1 handful cilantro, minced
  • 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions 

  • FOR THE CHICKEN: Place the chicken breasts into a shallow bowl. Add in 2 teaspoons olive oil, the lime juice and Mexicali seasoning. Toss to combine and set off to the side while you preheat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Once the pan is hot, cook chicken for 5 to 8 minutes a side or until fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest for a few minutes before dicing into small pieces. Add the chicken back into the pan and toss it around so it has a chance to pick up the deliciousness that's in the bottom of the pan.
  • Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 325℉ (or 160℃).
  • Line a rimmed metal 1/4-sheet pan (or two) with parchment paper. Arrange the tortilla chips in a single layer, top with a little cheese, and then chicken, onions and orange and yellow peppers. Sprinkle with more cheese and bake on the middle rack for 10 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  • Top your nacho with tomatoes, minced fresh cilantro, avocado, sour cream or any other toppings your heart desires.

Notes

If making one 1/4-sheet pan of nachos, you'll need about 1 (8 ounce brick) of cheddar jack.
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 501kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 40g, Fat: 33g, Saturated Fat: 15g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 13g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 131mg, Sodium: 455mg, Potassium: 936mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1897IU, Vitamin C: 54mg, Calcium: 549mg, Iron: 3mg

Mexicali Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos