Y’all ready to break some delicious rules today? Chef Maxine “Max” Delarue here, and I’m about to take your game day snacks to the next level with this epic Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake. We’re talking layers of crispy tortilla chips, shredded chicken drenched in a mind-blowingly spicy buffalo sauce, and a mountain of melted cheese. This dish is an absolute MUST-have for your next big game day bash – it’ll have your friends and family fighting over the last bite!
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake for Game Day
This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake is the ultimate game day MVP! It’s got all the amazing flavors of classic buffalo chicken, but with a fun, over-the-top nacho twist. The combination of the crispy, salty tortilla chips, the juicy shredded buffalo chicken, and the gooey, melted cheese is absolutely INSANE. And let’s not forget the epic spice factor – this dish brings the heat in the most delicious way possible. Your taste buds are about to go on a wild, flavor-packed adventure! Plus, it’s super easy to make, making it the perfect hands-off, crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish for your game day festivities. You’ll be the real MVP when you serve up this sensational Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake.
Ingredients
To make this Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients: crispy tortilla chips, shredded chicken, a mind-blowing buffalo sauce, shredded cheese, and some diced celery and green onions for a fresh, crunchy topping. The best part? You can easily customize this dish to your liking by swapping in different cheeses, adding some extra veggies, or even making it vegetarian by using plant-based “chicken.”
- 8 cups – Crispy tortilla chips
- 3 cups – Shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup – Spicy buffalo sauce
- 3 cups – Shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup – Diced celery and sliced green onions
Ingredient Substitutions
- Cheese: Try using a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack, or get wild with pepper jack or blue cheese crumbles.
- Chicken: Swap in turkey, tofu, or your favorite plant-based protein.
How to Make Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake for Game Day
This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake is a total breeze to whip up, with just a few simple steps. Let’s get cooking!
Step 1: Prep Work
Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a large baking dish. Then, get to shredding that chicken! You can use a rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken from last night’s dinner, or even cook up some chicken breasts specifically for this recipe.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a large bowl, toss the shredded chicken with your favorite buffalo sauce until it’s fully coated. Spread a layer of crispy tortilla chips in the bottom of your prepared baking dish, then top with the spicy buffalo chicken. Sprinkle on a generous amount of shredded cheese, and repeat the layers until you’ve used up all your ingredients.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Pop that bad boy in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes. Once it’s out of the oven, top with some diced celery and sliced green onions for a fresh, crunchy contrast.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
You can serve this Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake as-is, or take it to the next level by adding a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, a sprinkle of crumbled bacon, or some sliced jalapeños for even more heat.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Swap the Protein: Try using shredded rotisserie chicken or even ground turkey or beef in place of the chicken.
- Get Cheesy: Experiment with different cheeses, like pepper jack, blue cheese, or a Mexican cheese blend.
- Vegetarian Version: Swap in some plant-based “chicken” or crumbled tofu.
- Crank Up the Heat: Add a few dashes of hot sauce or some diced jalapeños for an extra spicy kick.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake is best enjoyed on its own, but you can definitely add some extra dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or guacamole. A fresh, crisp salad or some celery and carrot sticks would also make a great accompaniment.
Storage: Any leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply pop it back in the oven or microwave until heated through.
Make-Ahead: You can absolutely assemble the entire dish in advance and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake it. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time to account for it being chilled.
Nutrition Information
This Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake is a total flavor explosion, but it also packs a nutritional punch. Each serving contains a good amount of protein from the chicken, as well as some fiber and vitamins from the veggies. Of course, it’s also got a decent amount of calories and fat from the chips and cheese, so it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet. But hey, when you’re craving a seriously epic game day snack, a little indulgence is totally worth it!
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the dish
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Protein: 35 g
- Carbs: 35 g
- Fat: 32 g
- Sodium: 1,200 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t like spicy food?
No worries! You can easily adjust the spice level by using a milder buffalo sauce or even swapping it out for a barbecue or ranch-based sauce instead. You can also reduce the amount of buffalo sauce you use or leave it out altogether.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish in advance and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to bake it. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time to account for it being chilled.
What should I serve with this Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake?
This dish is a total showstopper on its own, but you can definitely serve it with some extra dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or even a zesty guacamole. A fresh, crisp salad or some celery and carrot sticks would also make a great accompaniment.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! You can easily swap in plant-based “chicken” or crumbled tofu in place of the shredded chicken. Just be sure to use vegan-friendly cheese and buffalo sauce to keep the entire dish plant-based.
How spicy is this Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake?
The level of spice really depends on the buffalo sauce you use. Some are milder, while others bring the heat in a major way. I recommend starting with a medium or “original” style buffalo sauce, and you can always add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce if you want to crank up the spice factor.
Try These Next
- Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Wings For Game Day
- Spicy Honey Bbq Chicken Bombs For Game Day Feasts
- Fiery Buffalo Chicken Mac And Cheese Casserole For Game Day
Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake for Game Day
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Fire Zone
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Kick off your game day with this Spicy Buffalo Chicken Nacho Bake! Loaded with flavor and perfect for sharing, it’s a dish that everyone will love.
Ingredients
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup buffalo sauce
1 bag tortilla chips
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce until well coated.
3. Spread half of the tortilla chips on a large baking sheet.
4. Top with half of the buffalo chicken mixture, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the blue cheese crumbles.
5. Repeat the layers with the remaining tortilla chips, chicken, and cheeses.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove from the oven, and top with sliced green onions, dollops of sour cream, and cilantro before serving.
Notes
For an extra kick, add jalapeños to the top before baking.
You can also use ranch dressing instead of blue cheese for a milder flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: Buffalo Chicken, Nachos, Game Day