BBQ Chicken Nachos

This BBQ Chicken Nachos is a deliciously fun way to kick up Nachos Night.

Gather your people around these boldly flavored chicken nachos for parties, game days, or a fun family meal. Amy Dong

View the print-ready version of this recipe.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

We love a good BBQ recipe! Here’s why this is our top pick:

• Marinated Chicken: The secret to the amazingness of these nachos is the flavorful chicken! Our pineapple-based marinade takes it to the next level, like in our Maui Chicken Tacos recipe.
• Savory and Sweet: The marinade for this chicken is one of the best we’ve ever tasted. It’s a perfect blend of savory and sweet.
• Perfect for Entertaining: BBQ Chicken Nachos are the ideal party food. They’re easy to make, customizable, and pair beautifully with summer cocktails.
• Fresh and Healthy: It’s super fresh, ultra-healthy, and delicious, just like our Fresh Fruit Salsa.

Key Recipe Ingredients

• Skinless, Boneless Chicken Thighs—We use this cut of chicken as it is the most tender and juicy. However, chicken tenderloins can also work.
• Pineapple Juice—The pineapple juice not only tenderizes the chicken but also infuses it with a sweet and tangy flavor that is characteristic of Hawaiian cuisine.
• Asian Sesame Oil—Adding a touch of this oil gives the chicken a nutty, aromatic flavor that sets it apart from traditional BBQ chicken.
• Pineapple—The pineapple in the salsa adds a refreshing, sweet-tart flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory chicken and cheese.
• Avocado—It provides a creamy contrast in the salsa to the crunchy, cheesy nachos.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are a few of our favorite substitutions variations:

• Protein: While we love using thighs since they’re the most tender, you can also use other proteins like turkey or even ground beef as we do in this Mexican Taco Salad.
• Cheese: Feel free to get creative with the cheese. Try using pepper jack, a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco, or even some Mexican cheese blend which adds a ton of flavor to our Cheesy Mexican Bean Dip.
• Salsa: This fresh pineapple salsa is what makes these nachos really special, but you can switch it up by using Mango Salsa, Corn Salsa, or even Black Bean Corn Salsa on top.

Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions

1. Whisk together onion, garlic, ginger, pineapple juice, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, and sesame oil.
2. Pat dry chicken pieces thoroughly and pound them to an even thickness. Pierce the pieces with a fork and season lightly with salt.
3. Toss chicken pieces in the marinade. Cover and chill overnight, or for up to 2 nights. Turn it over halfway during marinating.
4. Combine all salsa ingredients except avocado in a bowl and let chill. Dice and add the avocado just before using it.
5. Grill the chicken on medium-high heat, basting with the marinade. Let it rest for 5 minutes and then dice it.
6. Line plates with tortilla chips. Top with chicken and salsa. Sprinkle on cheese and microwave in 30-second increments to melt. Garnish and serve.

How to Prep Ahead

Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:

• Make the Chicken: The chicken can be marinated and chilled in the fridge for up to 2 days before grilling. This is a great make-ahead option that lets you get the prep out of the way early.
• Prepare the Salsa: You can also make the Hawaiian salsa up to a day in advance. Dice and add the avocado just before using it to keep it fresh.
• Assemble Ahead: Have a party in the evening? You can fully assemble your nachos and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, simply microwave in 30-second increments until the cheese melts and garnish as desired.

Amy Dong