Chicken Ranch Nachos 

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If ranch has a fan club, these nachos are getting a front-row seat! These Chicken Ranch Nachos combine all the flavors you love about ranch – the savory seasoning and fresh herbs – piled onto a pan with crunchy kettle-cooked potato chips, melty cheese, and crisp chicken tenders. 

This is the kind of appetizer that will have everyone immediately asking, “What are those?!” We swapped tortilla chips for ranch-seasoned ruffle potato chips as the base. These chips are loaded with savory ranch flavor before being layered with cheese, fresh dill, chopped chicken tenders, and sliced pickles. The sheet pan is baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and the edges are crispy.

These nachos are best if served warm and gooey out of the oven with a side of ranch dressing for dipping. They’re perfect for a game-day watch party, fall get-together, or whenever you get the itch for some ranch! Consider this your warning: You may want to make a double batch!

Why You’ll Love These Chicken Ranch Nachos

• They are packed with ranch seasoning! The chips are tossed in ranch seasoning so you are sure to get ranch seasoning in each bite. And the addition of the fresh dill and dill pickles brings that herby ranch flavor to life!
• Seriously satisfying combination. The salty chips, crispy chicken tenders, gooey cheese, fresh dill, and tangy pickles make each bite savory and so delicious. It’s bursting with flavor in the best way!
• It’s fun and sharable! Nachos are perfect for gatherings where people are grazing because you can serve them straight from the pan and let everyone dig in.

How to Make These Chicken Ranch Nachos, Step by Step

Step 1. Season chips with ranch seasoning and bake.

Preheat the oven to 300°F to toast the chips. This low temperature will help to set the ranch seasoning on the chips without burning them. 

Add the potato chips to a large mixing bowl. Pour melted butter and a packet of ranch seasoning over the top of the chips. Use your hands to toss and coat the chips with the seasoning. 

Spread the seasoned chips in an even layer on a baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven to bake for 12-15 minutes until the oil has dried. Remove them from the oven and set them to the side while you cook the chicken.

Step 2. Increase oven temperature to cook the chicken.

Increase the oven temperature to 425°F to cook the chicken and the nachos. Lay 5-6 chicken tenders on a separate sheet pan and bake them according to the package instructions. 

Tip: Flip the chicken over halfway through cooking to brown evenly on both sides.

Step 3. Assemble chicken ranch nachos and bake until cheese is melty.

Once the chicken is done, chop the strips into pieces and gather the rest of your nacho toppings – shredded cheddar cheese, fresh dill, and chopped dill pickles. 

The magic is in the layers of these nachos. The more layers, the more cheesy goodness. Start with a layer of ranch chips, half the cheese, and a sprinkle of dill. Add another layer of chips, cheese, and dill. Finish with the chopped chicken pieces. 

Pop the nachos in the oven for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melty. As soon as you take the nachos out of the oven, top with fresh chopped dill pickles and enjoy hot!

Tips for Making Chicken Ranch Nachos

• Use a sturdy chip as the base. Since we are swapping classic tortilla chips with potato chips, we recommend using kettle-cooked chips. They are sturdier, often less greasy, and will hold up the melted cheese and chicken toppings without becoming soggy. 
• Season the chips before building the nachos. Toss the chips in ranch seasoning and red pepper flakes before assembling the nachos. This way, all the chips are coated with seasoning. 
• The more layers, the better! The magic of a good nacho is in the layers. Make sure that each layer gets a generous coating of cheese so that you get the melty cheese in every bite.
• Serve them immediately! These nachos are best straight out of the oven when they are hot and gooey, and the chips are still crisp. The best way to serve them is with a side of ranch for dipping! Or go ahead and drizzle some right on top!

Like spicy nachos? Here’s what we recommend to add a little spice!

We love nachos with a little extra kick! If you want to add a little more heat to these nachos, here’s what we recommend: 

• Add extra red pepper flakes
• Top with sliced jalapeños
• Substitute cheddar cheese with pepper jack cheese

What pairs well with these nachos? 

These nachos pari well with other finger foods! Here’s what we recommend serving alongside these nachos for the ultimate grazing during gameday or a casual fall gathering:

• Cheeseburger Rolls
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookie Cups
• M&M Brookies
• Fluffernutter Snack Mix (Peanut Butter Marshmallow Snack Mix)
• Baked Hot Honey Chicken Wings
• Marry Me Chicken Sliders

More yummy recipes to try:

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