Two of our favorite go-to game-day foods are hot honey chicken wings and nachos. Loaded with cheese, leftover chili recipes, and sour cream these chili cheese nachos are the perfect football food, and just like our sheet pan nachos, they are ready in 25 minutes.
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Key Ingredients and Substitutions
You need three ingredients (and your favorite nacho toppings) for the perfect chili cheese nachos.
The complete ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- Chili: These nachos are the perfect solution to leftover chili. Both our traditional no-bean Texas chili and Game Day chili with beans are perfect options.
- Cheese: We definitely prefer Tex-Mex queso for our chili cheese nachos, but you can also use freshly grated cheese. We suggest shredding your own since store-bought shredded cheese contains additives such as potato starch to keep the cheese from clumping. This can prevent the cheese from completely melting.
- Tortilla Chips: Use a thicker, sturdier chip since they will be loaded with chili, cheese, and other toppings, and avoid the thinner “restaurant-style” chips. We recommend homemade tortilla chips for the best nachos.
Best Toppings for Nachos
Our go-to toppings for chili cheese nachos are sour cream, jalapenos, and green onions. But there are many other toppings that you could add, so get creative!
- Tomatoes
- Red Onions
- Spicy Pico de Gallo
- Grilled Guacamole
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Lime Cilantro Avocado Dressing
Best Chips for Nachos
The key to nachos is selecting tortilla chips that are thick and sturdy, so they hold up under all the toppings and won’t break when you pick them up. We prefer freshly fried homemade tortilla chips that we make at home from corn tortillas. Here are our tips for frying up your own:
- Use corn, not flour tortillas. Cut corn tortillas into six triangles.
- Use a neutral oil. Pour canola, corn, or avocado oil to a depth of about 1/4-inch into a skillet with high sides, then heat on high until about 350°F.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Place tortilla triangles in the hot oil in a single layer. Using metal tongs or a slotted spoon,n gently push them beneath the oil to get well coated. Fry for about 2 minutes or until they are lightly brown and are no longer pliable. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt.
How to Make Chili Cheese Nachos
Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: The key to making perfect nachos is evenly layering the ingredients so that you get a little bit of everything on each chip.
1. Assemble the Nachos: Place half of the tortilla chips in a single layer on a cookie or baking sheet, then top with half the chili and queso (or shredded cheese). Add a second layer of tortilla chips and top with the remaining chili and queso.
2. Bake the Nachos: In a preheated 400°F oven, bake the nachos for 4-6 minutes until the cheese is bubbly (shredded cheese should be melted).
3. Serve: Top with jalapenos, sour cream, grilled guacamole, or any of your favorite chili toppings. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- For easy clean-up, line the baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Layer the chips, cheese, beef, and refried beans. Additional toppings will go on after the nachos are cooked and out of the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Appetizer Recipes to Try
Looking for more quick and easy appetizer recipes? Try these other favorites:
- Sheet Pan Nachos Supreme – Tortilla chips that are layered with melted cheese, refried beans, seasoned ground beef, and topped with tomatoes, sour cream, and avocado.
- Stuffed Mushrooms with Chorizo – Combines the earthy richness of mushrooms with the bold, spiced essence of chorizo. These are the perfect bite sized appetizer for any occasion.
- Crab Spinach Artichoke Dip – Perfect for parties, potlucks, or game day! It’s made with spinach, artichoke hearts, lump crab meat, and 3 kinds of cheeses then it’s baked to golden perfection. This crowd-pleasing dip will be gone in minutes!
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Chili Cheese Nachos
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Equipment
- 1 Cookie or Baking Sheet
Ingredients
Nachos
- 8-10 ounces tortilla chips
- 1 cup chili
- 1 cup queso or shredded cheese
Optional Toppings
- 1 small tomato, diced
- avocado, sliced
- sour cream
- green onion, diced
- red onion, diced
- jalapeno, sliced
- cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place one-half of the tortilla chips in a single layer on a cookie or baking sheet. Top with one-half of the chili and queso or shredded cheese.
- Add a second layer of tortilla chips topped with remaining chili and queso or shredded cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 4-6 minutes until the cheese is bubbly (shredded cheese should be melted).
- Top with your favorite nacho toppings. Serve immediately.
I absolutely love this recipe!