Instant Pot Chicken Nachos

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Instant Pot Chicken Nachos are a totally crave-worthy combo of Mexican and BBQ flavors. This easy shredded chicken nachos recipe is great for simple dinners, game day appetizers, and anytime snacking.

Weight Watchers Points included. 

close up of loaded chicken nachos on a tray

Folks, making these BBQ Chicken Nachos is really easy! And using one of my favorite kitchen gadgets, the Instant Pot, to make this Chicken Nachos Recipe is EVEN EASIER. You’ll start making your Nachos with your Pressure Cooker and then finish them up in the oven.

Want to make a full on Mexican inspired meal guys??? Simply double the Shredded Barbeque Chicken, use half for the nachos, and the other half for tasty tacos. #tacotuesday

the completed instant pot chicken nachos recipe

Related Recipe : Instant Pot Pulled Chicken Sandwiches.

My kiddos get sooooo excited when I tell them we’re having Shredded Chicken Nachos for dinner. It’s a quick supper when I don’t have the time or desire to whip up a full, intense meal. Great for when we have after school activities, sports practices, and on those busy weekends. 

Instant pot quick start guide image

You can make them exactly how you and your guests like them. Add all of your favorite toppings and leave out the ones you’re not fond of. No need to pick around, because you know that you’re getting the perfect chip with every bite. 

Why You’ll ♡ These Nachos

  • You add only the toppings you love so you get the perfect chip with each bite.
  • Quick appetizer, snack or meal.
  • The whole family will love them, no complaints.
  • Can double the recipe and use for tacos to make an entire Mexican meal.
  • Nachos = potluck and party perfection.
close up of instant pot bbq chicken nachos with sauce and toppings

Tools You Need 

My Instant Pot Accessories Pick:

Soooo, let’s gather up these ingredients and I will show you……

How To Make Instant Pot Chicken Nachos

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

  1. Mix chicken and barbeque rub in a bowl and set aside.
  2. Add broth to Instant Pot insert. Add chicken in, pushing chicken down as much as possible under the liquid.
  3. Cover and seal your Instant Pot. Press Pressure Cook/Manual on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  4. Use a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then perform a Quick Pressure Release.
  5. Remove chicken from your Instant Pot and set onto a plate or bowl. Shred your chicken.
  6. Remove liquid from Instant Pot and add chicken back in. Next, add about half a cup of the cooking liquid. 
  7. Add 1 cup of bbq sauce or more to your taste and stir it all together.
image collage showing the steps for making instant pot pulled chicken

How To Make BBQ Shredded Chicken Nachos 

  1. Preheat the oven to fan assisted 180C / 200C/ 400 F / gas 6 if using grill.
  2. Spread half the tortilla chips on the baking sheet so they form an even flat layer.
  3. Top with half the chicken, cheese and tomatoes.
  4. Repeat these layers until you’ve used all your ingredients. 
  5. Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
  6. Remove the nachos from the oven and finish with chopped cilantro, sour cream, green onions and jalapenos.
image collage showing the steps for making instant pot chicken nachos

Recipe Tips

  • Use reduced-sodium chicken broth, especially if your barbeque rub already has salt in it. 
  • Cut chicken breasts to about the size of your chicken thighs as it helps everything cook more evenly and makes it all easier to shred. 
  • To keep the chicken juicy and avoid a burn notice, make sure to cover the chicken with the chicken broth
  • If you want to prep ahead of time, make the chicken in advance but wait to build your nachos until you’re ready to eat.
  • The total cook time does not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to get to pressure and the time for the natural pressure release.

Delicious Variations 

  • Change up the cheese: Try Mexican Blend shredded cheese, Monterey Jack or Sharp Cheddar cheese.
  • Vary the heat: Use more or less of the jalapeños, add chili peppers or chili powder to the chicken, etc. 
  • Swap the meat: Try shredded pork or ground beef. 
  • Vary your tortilla chips: Try corn tortilla chips, flour tortilla chips, restaurant-style tortilla chips, or these Homemade Air Fryer Tortilla Chips.
two hands holding a tray of instant pot chicken nachos

Storage

Making nachos is pretty easy but if you’re trying to save time, here’s what I recommend. 

  • Prep Ahead – Go ahead and make the chicken in advance and you can reheat it. Wait until you’re ready to eat them to assemble it all together and finish cooking in the oven. The chips need to be fresh or they’ll get soggy. 
  • Store – Store cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. 
  • Freeze – You can freeze the cooked chicken. Follow the handy tips below on how to freeze this. Transfer the chicken into a ziptop bag, squeeze out all the extra air and seal the bags.
  • Label and then lay them flat in the freezer for up to three months.
  • To make reheating easier, freeze in the right portion sizes that you need for the future.
a hand removing some of the instant pot chicken nachos from a tray

How Do You Shred Chicken?

Here’s two easy and simple methods to shred your chicken for your chips. 

  • Use forks – Simply transfer the cooked meat to a plate or bowl and use two forks to pull it apart and shred.
  • Use a mixer – Add chicken into a bowl and use a hand mixer or use your stand mixer to shred it. This is especially useful if you are doing big quantities of chicken.

FAQs

Can You Use Frozen Chicken? 

Absolutely folks,  you can use frozen chicken breasts to make this. Just make sure you increase the cooking time by 3-4 minutes. 

What’s Kind Of Chicken Do You Use? 

This BBQ Pulled Chicken Nacho Recipe calls for both skinless chicken breast and chicken thighs. Cooking with both tender chicken breasts and super flavorful chicken thighs really brings out the succulent taste of the chicken.
 
You can use either bone in or boneless. If you’re using bone in chicken, you need to adjust the cooking time and add a few more minutes. 
Keep in mind that you will need to shred the chicken, and using boneless cuts makes shredding easier. 

close up of juicy instant pot shredded chicken on a plate

Serving Suggestions

More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes

Weight Watchers Points 

There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Thank you for reading my Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Nachos recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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close up of loaded chicken nachos on a tray
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot Chicken Nachos

Instant Pot Chicken Nachos are a craveworthy dish full of Mexican and BBQ flavor!
Prep Time13 minutes
Cook Time32 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: american, western, Tex-Mex
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 267kcal
Author: Bintu Hardy

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds (681g) of skinless chicken breast and thighs
  • 1-1.5 tbsp of your favorite bbq rub
  • 1 1/4 cups (250ml) of reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp of liquid smoke
  • 1/2 cup (125 ml) of your favorite bbq sauce

Nacho Ingredients:

  • 16 oz tortilla chips
  • shredded chicken made with ingredients above
  • 12 grape tomatoes halved
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese
  • cilantro (coriander), chopped
  • sour cream
  • green onions spring onions, sliced
  • jalapenos sliced

Instructions

  • Combine the chicken and BBQ rub in a bowl and set it aside.
  • Add broth to Instant Pot insert. Add chicken in, pushing chicken down as much as possible under the liquid.
  • Cover and seal your pot. Select Pressure Cook/Manual on high pressure for 15 minutes.
  • Allow for a natural pressure release of 10 minutes, then perform a quick pressure release.
  • Remove chicken from your Instant Pot and set onto a plate or bowl. Shred your chicken.
  • Remove liquid from Instant Pot and add chicken back in. Next, add about half a cup of the cooking liquid with 1 cup of BBQ sauce (or more, to your taste) and stir it all together.

To make BBQ Shredded Chicken Nachos

  • Preheat the oven to fan assisted 180C / 200C/ 400 F / gas 6 if using grill.
  • Spread half the tortilla chips on the baking sheet so they form an even flat layer.
  • Top with half the chicken, cheese and tomatoes.
  • Repeat these layers until you’ve used all your ingredients.
  • Bake for 7-8 minutes, or until the cheese is nice and bubbly.
  • Remove the nachos from the oven and finish with chopped cilantro, sour cream, green onions and jalapenos.
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Notes

  • Use reduced sodium chicken broth, especially if your BBQ rub already has salt in it. 
  • Cut chicken breasts to about the size of your chicken thighs it helps everything cook more evenly and makes it all easier to shred. 
  • To keep the chicken juicy and avoid a burn notice, make sure you’re covering your chicken as much as you can with the chicken broth. 
  • If you are preparing these nachos ahead of time, you can make the chicken but wait for the nacho chips until you’re ready to eat them so the chips don’t get soggy. 
  • The total cook time does not include the time it takes for the Instant Pot to get to pressure and the time for the natural pressure release.
There are 8 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving. 

 

Nutrition

Calories: 267kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 305mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 167mg | Iron: 1mg

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These look BOMB! Perfect for a family dinner or appetizer. Thanks for a great and simple recipe.