The Ultimate Game Day Feast: Triple-Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos with Crispy Fried Jalapeños
Triple Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos with Fried Jalapeños are the ultimate nachos to load up with at your football watch party. The spicy, smoky white queso covered chicken with layers of cheese, chips and fried jalapenos are just the snack everyone will love while gathered around the television. Whip up a batch and root for your favorite team!
This post has been sponsored by Frito-Lay. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As the excitement for the big game builds, it’s the perfect time to start planning your ultimate football watch party menu! Whether it’s the Super Bowl, a college championship, or a regular season showdown, the food you serve can elevate the entire experience. Forget the basic snacks; this year, we’re going all out with a show-stopping dish that will have everyone cheering for more: Triple-Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos with Crispy Fried Jalapeños.
For many of us, the thrill of game day isn’t just about the plays on the field, but also the camaraderie and delicious food shared with friends and family. While the dream of tailgating at the stadium is a fun one, the reality for most is perfecting the art of “homegating.” This means bringing all the excitement and flavors of a pre-game party right into your living room. And honestly, I often prefer it! Homegating offers the best seats in the house, the freedom to chat without the deafening roar of the crowd, and, of course, unparalleled access to a never-ending buffet of amazing snacks.
Think about it: no long lines, no battling for parking, and no shivering in the cold. Just pure comfort, epic commercials, and the company of loved ones. It’s the ideal environment to truly savor every moment of the game, and most importantly, every single bite of your meticulously prepared spread. These Triple-Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos are designed to be the centerpiece of such an event, guaranteeing that your homegating experience is nothing short of legendary.
When it comes to football watch parties, shareable foods are an absolute must. From gooey pull-apart breads to tangy chicken wings, and of course, glorious nachos, these are the delectable, flavorful snacks meant to satisfy a hungry crowd. There’s something inherently communal about a platter of nachos, where everyone can dig in and enjoy the vibrant medley of flavors and textures. For me, these are the dishes that truly get me drooling and in the mood for some serious FOOTBALL action.
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If you’re anything like me, Frito-Lay products are a constant presence in your pantry. Specifically, TOSTITOS® Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips are an undeniable staple. They’re the perfect canvas for an endless array of salsas, creamy guacamoles, and decadent queso dips, aren’t they? Their signature crispness and authentic flavor transport you straight to your favorite Mexican restaurant, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. These chips are designed to hold up to even the heaviest of toppings, ensuring every single bite of your nachos is loaded with flavor and texture, without becoming soggy.
But for a truly momentous occasion like the Super Bowl or any major game day, we need to go beyond just “plain ol’ nachos.” This kind of event demands something extraordinary, something that elevates the humble nacho to a gourmet experience. So, allow me to introduce you to what might just be the best nachos you’ll ever eat: our Triple-Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos with Fried Jalapeños.
Unpacking the Layers of Flavor
What makes these nachos truly special is their thoughtful construction and a symphony of bold flavors. We’re talking two generous layers of crispy TOSTITOS® Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips, generously blanketed with a melty cheese blend. But the star of the show is undoubtedly the juicy, perfectly spiced chipotle chicken, smothered in a rich, creamy white queso. This multi-layered approach ensures that every single chip gets its fair share of toppings, creating a dynamic eating experience that’s anything but one-note.
The Heart of the Dish: Chipotle Chicken
Our chipotle chicken isn’t just any chicken; it’s marinated and cooked to perfection with a blend of smoky chipotle chili pepper, savory garlic and onion powder, warm cumin, and aromatic oregano. This combination infuses the chicken with a deep, spicy, and smoky flavor that perfectly complements the richness of the queso. Cubing the chicken ensures it cooks quickly and evenly, creating tender, flavorful pieces that nestle beautifully among the chips and cheese.
Silky Smooth White Queso
Forget the neon orange cheese sauce. Our white queso is a creamy, dreamy concoction made with a luxurious blend of shredded Monterrey Jack and white American cheese, simmered gently in milk. A touch of red pepper flakes and garlic powder adds a subtle warmth and depth without overpowering the delicate cheese flavor. This silky sauce generously coats the chipotle chicken, creating a luscious texture that binds all the elements together.
The Game Changer: Crispy Fried Jalapeños
This is where these nachos truly differentiate themselves. While fresh jalapeños offer a sharp, bright heat, frying them transforms them into something entirely new and irresistible. Dredged in breadcrumbs, then egg, and then breadcrumbs again, these jalapeño slices are fried until golden brown and delightfully crispy. They offer a mellowed heat, a wonderful crunch, and a savory flavor that adds an unexpected layer of texture and dimension to every bite. They are the perfect counterpoint to the creamy queso and tender chicken.
But we don’t stop there! To complete this masterpiece, we crown it all with fresh, vibrant toppings. Halved cherry tomatoes add a burst of acidity and color, while freshly chopped cilantro brings a bright, herbaceous note. And for an unexpected crunch and savory oniony goodness, we add roughly chopped FUNYUNS®. Yes, you read that right – FUNYUNS®! They introduce a unique, irresistible texture and flavor that takes these nachos to an entirely new level. Serve them alongside cool sour cream and creamy guacamole for dipping, offering a refreshing contrast to the spicy, cheesy goodness.
With Frito-Lay brands as the foundation for your game day spread, you’re guaranteed to host the best watch party. Especially when you’re topping nachos with the unexpected crunch of FUNYUNS® – I’m just saying, you’re never going to enjoy nachos the same way again!
Curious to see these incredible nachos come to life? Just watch this video, and you’ll see EXACTLY what I’m talking about!
For even more inspiring game day ideas and mouth-watering recipes, be sure to head over to the Frito-Lay Pinterest page. I swear, some of these recipes are so good, you won’t want to wait for your next watch party to try them. They are way too delicious and absolutely drool-worthy!
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This Recipe’s Must Haves
- Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet to make the nachos in.
- Le Creuset Signature Iron Handle Skillet, 6-1/3-Inch to make the fried jalapeños and chicken in.
- Cuisinart MultiClad Unlimited Dishwasher Safe 2-Quart Saucepan with Cover to make the queso in.
- Le Creuset Revolution Silicone Spatula Spoon to bring everything together with a splash of color 😉
Triple Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos with Fried Jalapeños
ingredients
- 1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp canola oil
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack
- 1 1/2 cup shredded white American cheese
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1/3 cup all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup original breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 jalapenos sliced
- Vegetable oil
- 1 original size bag TOSTITOS® Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips
- 1 ½ cups shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup FUNYUNS® roughly chopped
- Freshly chopped cilantro
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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In a small bowl, stir together all the dry spices for the chicken: ground chipotle chili pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, ground coriander, paprika, black pepper, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper. Add these aromatic spices and the cubed chicken to a large bowl. Toss vigorously to ensure every piece of chicken is thoroughly coated. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
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Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add canola oil and once shimmering, add the seasoned chicken. Cook until the chicken cubes are beautifully golden brown on all sides and cooked all the way through, ensuring they are tender and juicy. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
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In a medium saucepan, gently heat the milk for the queso over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Reduce heat to low. Gradually stir in the shredded Monterrey Jack and white American cheeses, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until all the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. This will create a luscious, irresistible queso. Pour this warm queso over your cooked chipotle chicken and stir gently to ensure every piece is thoroughly coated in the cheesy goodness. Keep this mixture warm on very low heat while you prepare the other components.
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For the fried jalapeños, prepare your dredging station: add breadcrumbs to one small bowl and lightly beaten egg to another small bowl. Take each sliced jalapeño and dredge it first in the breadcrumbs, ensuring full coverage, then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally, dredge it once more in the breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating. Place the coated jalapeño slices on a clean plate. Next, add vegetable oil to a small skillet, ensuring it’s approximately 1-inch deep. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it’s hot and shimmering (a small piece of breadcrumb should sizzle immediately when dropped in). Carefully add the dredged jalapeño slices to the hot oil. Fry until they are golden brown and crispy, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the fried jalapeños with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Set aside.
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Now, assemble your triple-layer nachos! In a large cast iron skillet (or an oven-safe baking dish), spread an even layer of TOSTITOS® Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips across the bottom. Top this first layer of chips with one-third of the shredded Mexican cheese. Next, spread another generous layer of TOSTITOS® Original Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips, followed by another third of the shredded Mexican cheese. Finally, distribute the delicious queso-coated chipotle chicken evenly over the second layer of chips and cheese, and then sprinkle the remaining one-third portion of the shredded Mexican cheese over the entire top.
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Bake the nachos in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly, and the chips are slightly golden at the edges. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
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Once out of the oven, immediately top the hot nachos with the halved cherry tomatoes, the crispy fried jalapeños, the roughly chopped FUNYUNS®, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Serve these magnificent Triple-Layer Chipotle Chicken Queso Nachos hot, with generous dollops of sour cream and creamy guacamole on the side for an ultimate game day feast!