Hot Honey Chicken Nachos
On February 17, 2025
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Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Nachos loaded with smoky chicken, melty cheese, fresh pico, and a hot, sticky drizzle. Share with the people you love!
Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Nachos
When it comes to crowd-pleasing appetizers, nachos are tough to top. They’re quick to throw together, easy to customize, and perfect for sharing. These Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Nachos take things up a notch with tender, smoky chicken thighs, a drizzle of sticky-sweet Hot Honey BBQ Sauce, and plenty of melty cheese. Seasoned with my Spicy Sweet Rub, then smoked low and slow, the chicken soaks up all that incredible wood-fired flavor before getting shredded and piled high on crispy tortilla chips.
Whether you’re gearing up for game day, hosting a backyard bash, or just craving something bold and delicious, this is the nacho recipe you need. Trust me, these nachos disappear fast. You might want to make a double batch.
The Best Chicken for Nachos
For the juiciest, most flavorful nachos, I love boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They’ve got just the right amount of fat to stay tender during the smoking process while absorbing the rub and sauce. I season them up with my Hey Grill Hey Spicy Sweet Rub, then drizzle with my Hot Honey BBQ Sauce for the perfect balance of sweet and spice, then smoke them until they reach the ideal shredding consistency.
If you’re looking for an alternative, my grilled chicken thighs recipe works great, too! Whether you go smoky or grilled, these chicken nachos are packed with bold BBQ flavor.
How Long to Smoke Chicken for Nachos
Smoking chicken thighs for nachos takes about an hour, but trust me, it’s worth every minute. I set my smoker to 275 degrees F and let the thighs soak up the smoky goodness for 45 minutes to an hour. You’ll know they’re ready when they hit an internal temperature of 175 degrees F. This ensures they’re juicy, flavorful, and shred with ease. I highly recommend using a reliable instant-read thermometer to get it just right. You want that perfect bite every time.
What toppings are good on chicken nachos?
When it comes to toppings, I love keeping things fresh and colorful. These are my go-to picks:
- pico de gallo
- sour cream
- olives (sliced)
- green onions (sliced)
The best part is, you can customize these nachos however you like! Want extra heat? Add some pickled jalapeños. If you’re craving creamy richness, go for guacamole. Nachos are all about layering up the flavors you love. Load ‘em up the way you love most.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Nachos
Once you’ve got your chicken nice and smoky, throwing these nachos together is a breeze. Follow these quick and easy steps so you can make your own BBQ nachos right in your own backyard:
- Preheat the smoker. Fire up your smoker to 275 degrees F. I love using fruitwood like cherry or apple here for a hint of sweetness that won’t overpowering the smoky goodness.
- Season the chicken. Pat your chicken thighs dry and give them a generous coating of Spicy Sweet Rub. This locks in moisture and gives each bite that perfect mix of sweet and spice.
- Smoke the chicken. Lay your seasoned thighs directly on the grates, close the lid, and let the smoker do its thing. In about an hour, they’ll be tender, smoky, and packed with flavor. Oh, and your backyard will smell incredible.
- Rest and shred the chicken. Once the chicken reaches 175 degrees F, pull it off the smoker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This locks the juices inside where they belong. After resting, shred it up and get ready to assemble your nachos.
- Assemble nachos and finish cooking. Spread a layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet and sprinkle on a generous amount of shredded cheese. Load up the shredded chicken, drizzle on half of the Hot Honey BBQ Sauce, and return it to the smoker just long enough for the cheese to get perfectly melty. Just imagine it: crispy chips, gooey cheese, and smoky chicken together in one glorious dish.
- Add toppings, serve, and enjoy. Pull your nachos off the smoker and pile on your favorite toppings. A final drizzle of BBQ sauce ties everything together for the ultimate bite. Grab a handful, snap a pic (if you can wait that long), and dig in.
Tips for Making the Best Nachos
These nachos are easy to make, but here are a few tips to take them from good to unforgettable. We’re talking legendary status here.
- Keep toppings fresh. Add delicate toppings like sour cream after cooking so they stay bright and fresh.
- Layer wisely. Start with a solid base of chips, then build up with cheese and toppings so every bite is loaded with flavor.
- Get cheesy. I used shredded cheddar for these nachos, but feel free to get creative. Monterey Jack (as well as pepper jack, if you want to really heat things up) make for ooey-gooey, goodness.
- Don’t skip the sauce. A drizzle of BBQ sauce before and after smoking ties all the flavors together. You can also browse the sauce section of your Recipe Library when you’re ready to try a different flavor profile.
More Nacho Recipes
If you love these BBQ chicken nachos, I’ve got plenty more where that came from. You can find all my best nacho recipes right here, plus hundreds more BBQ recipes in the Hey Grill Hey App. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just looking to level up your backyard BBQ game, I’ve got you covered. BBQ is what I do best, and nachos are no exception.
Hot Honey Chicken Nachos Recipe
If you’re ready to be the hero of your next gathering, these Hot Honey BBQ Chicken Nachos are the way to go. They’re smoky, cheesy, a little spicy, and absolutely irresistible. Give them a try and let me know what you think. Leave a rating, drop a comment, and don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Instagram so you can tag @heygrillhey when you share your BBQ masterpieces.
And if you’re looking to really sharpen your BBQ skills, check out The Grill Squad and my YouTube channel for all the tips and techniques you need to become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Hot Honey Chicken Nachos
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 3 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Spicy Sweet Rub
- ⅔ cup Hey Grill Hey Hot Honey BBQ Sauce divided use
- tortilla chips
- 2 cups medium cheddar cheese shredded
Toppings
- pico de gallo
- sour cream
- olives sliced
- green onions sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker. Set your smoker to 275 degrees F. I recommend a fruit wood like cherry or apple so the smoke doesn’t overwhelm the mild flavor of your chicken.
- Season the chicken. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then sprinkle both sides with the Spicy Sweet Rub.3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, 3 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Spicy Sweet Rub
- Smoke the chicken. Place your seasoned chicken thighs on the smoker grates and close the lid. Allow the chicken to cook for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 175 degrees F with an instant-read thermometer.
- Rest and shred the chicken. Transfer your cooked chicken thighs to a cutting board to rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute so each bite is full of chicken flavor. After allowing your chicken to rest, shred it and you’re ready to build your nachos.
- Assemble nachos and finish cooking. Spread your tortilla chips into an even layer on a baking sheet, then top with the shredded cheese and chicken. Drizzle half of the Hot Honey BBQ Sauce onto the nachos, then return the baking sheet to the smoker. Allow them to cook for 5-10 more minutes, until the cheese melts.⅔ cup Hey Grill Hey Hot Honey BBQ Sauce, tortilla chips, 2 cups medium cheddar cheese
- Add toppings, serve, and enjoy. Remove your nachos, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy.pico de gallo, sour cream, olives, green onions, ⅔ cup Hey Grill Hey Hot Honey BBQ Sauce
Notes
- Purchase in the Hey Grill Hey Store here
- Make your own following the recipe here
- Purchase in the Hey Grill Hey Store here
- Make your own following the recipe here
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
