Every game day spread needs nachos, and these Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos will not disappoint. Grab a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and dig in!
I love nachos! They're perfect for game-day snacking but are also a fun way to change up your dinnertime routine.
If you haven't tried nachos made with Doritos, these chicken bacon ranch nachos are a must-make! Cool Ranch Doritos provide a punch of tangy ranch flavor that pairs perfectly with chicken and bacon.
For more Doritos nachos, try these Doritos Nachos with Ground Beef. They are one of the most popular recipes on My Casual Pantry.
Ingredients
- Cool Ranch Doritos are the perfect base for this chicken-bacon-ranch trifecta.
- Chicken - Rotisserie chicken works great here or cook an extra chicken breast and shred it to use for these nachos.
- Bacon - Simply because everything is better with bacon.
- Ranch dressing - We're tossing the chicken in the dressing to pump up the ranch flavor and also using it as a garnish in lieu of sour cream.
- Colby Jack cheese is my go-to for these nachos. You can also try a blend of Cheddar and Monterey or Pepper Jack.
Step-by-step instructions
See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
- Cook the bacon until brown and crisp. Drain and chop.
- Toss the chicken with ranch dressing. (Image 1)
- Arrange a layer of Doritos on a sheet pan and top with half of the shredded chicken, bacon, and onions. (Image 2)
★TIP: I like doing a double layer of nachos on a quarter-sheet pan. You can also use a half-sheet pan for a single-layer batch.
- Top with half of the cheese. (Image 3)
- Repeat with a second layer. (Image 4)
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted. Garnish with ranch dressing and any of your favorite nacho toppings.
★TIP: Since Doritos can burn more easily than traditional tortilla chips, I like to bake these at a lower temperature (350-375 degrees).
What are the best toppings for nachos?
Anything that you love to put on tacos can go on nachos. Customize to your liking. Some of my favorites include:
- Pickled jalapeños
- Cilantro, scallions, chives, or parsley
- Black olives
- Pickled red onions
- Guacamole
- Ranch dressing or sour cream
- Diced tomatoes or salsa
FAQs
Fresh toppings - such as tomatoes, olives, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream - should be put on after baking. Before baking, add the cheese and cooked proteins like chicken, beef, or bacon, as well as veggies like beans, corn, and onions.
Make sure the chips are well covered with cheese before baking. This cheese layer will protect the chips from getting soggy from toppings like salsa, sour cream, or fresh tomatoes.
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos
Ingredients
- 6 slices bacon
- 1½ cups shredded chicken
- 2 tablespoons Ranch dressing (plus more for topping)
- 14½ ounces Cool Ranch Doritos
- ½ cup thinly-sliced red onion
- 12 ounces Colby Jack cheese (shredded)
- guacamole (for topping)
- pickled jalapenos (for topping)
- cilantro or parsley (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Cook the bacon until it's brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels and chop. Set aside. (Note 1)
- Add the shredded chicken to a bowl. Add the ranch dressing and toss to combine. Set aside.
- On a quarter sheet pan, arrange an even layer of the Doritos. Top with half of the chicken, bacon, onions, and cheese. Repeat with a second layer.
- Bake the nachos for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted. After 10 minutes, keep an eye on them, since the Doritos can burn more easily than traditional tortilla chips.
- Garnish with ranch dressing, guacamole, pickled jalapenos, and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
- To cook the bacon in the oven, arrange the bacon on a foil-lined sheet pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees until brown and crisp.
- Shred your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheese melts so much better than pre-shredded cheese which has additives to prevent clumping.
- Build the nachos in layers so that all of the chips are equally coated with cheese and other toppings.
- Build the nachos on a sheet pan for ease of heating and clean-up. Use a half-sheet pan for larger gatherings or a quarter sheet pan for small batches.
- Garnish the nachos with various toppings or set out the toppings for a "top-your-own-nachos" bar.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending upon the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
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