Tropical seasoned grilled chicken over sheet pan nachos and cheese. Served with perfectly spiced tropical salsa. A colorful treat and alternative to plain old nachos.
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Additional Time3 hourshrs
Total Time3 hourshrs45 minutesmins
Course: Tailgating Food
Cuisine: American
Keyword: fruit salsa, how to make chicken nachos, nachos, pineapple salsa, tropical nachos, tropical salsa
1Tablespoonjalapeñochopped fine (more if you like more heat)
1Tablespooncilantrochopped
1small limezested and juiced
2 1/2teaspoonsSpice Isle Tropical Seasoning & Rub
For the Nachos
Corn Tortilla Chips
8ouncesMonterey Jack Cheeseshredded
4ouncesMild Cheddar Cheeseshredded
1/2cupSpice Isle Tropical Tamarind Sauce
Jalapeño and Cilantro for servingif desired
Fresh Pineapple "Bowl" for servingif desired
Instructions
To Prepare the Chicken: Rinse and pat dry chicken breasts. Coat with Spice Isle Tropical Seasoning & Rub on all sides and place in a gallon sized ziplock bag. Add in the rest of the ingredients, zip shut and place in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
To Prepare the Tropical Salsa: Add diced fruit, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice to a bowl. Stir to combine. If you want to make a "pineapple bowl" for your salsa, lay your pineapple on its side and make a cut with a sharp knife from the bottom of the pineapple through the leaves, cutting it into two halves. Make small cuts into the fruit part of the pineapples and around the edge, taking care not to cut all of the way through. Use a spoon to remove the fruit. Depending upon how pig your pineapple is, your salsa may or may not all fit inside.
Preparation of the Chicken Continued: When chicken has marinaded for a minimum of 3 hours, remove it from the bag, discarding the marinade. Place on a grill, heated to 375 degrees F. Grill approximately 5 minutes per side, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Remove and shred chicken. Combine with Spice Isle Tropical Tamarind Gourmet Sauce.
Preparing the Sheet Pan Nachos: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Cover a large sheet pan with a good quality parchment paper. Lay tortilla chips in a single layer over the parchment. Note: if you are planning to lay your pineapple in the middle, like I have, leave a small space in the middle with no chips. Top chips with chicken and cheese. Bake for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Top with cilantro and jalapeño slices if desired.
Serve with Tropical Salsa. Enjoy the taste of the Islands!
Notes
If grilling the chicken isn't an option, heat a skillet up to medium high, sear chicken on both sides. Reduce heat to medium and cook chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 185 degrees before shredding. Nachos can also be prepared on the grill. Lay sheet pan on a 425 degree grill and remove when cheese is melted. Everything can be prepped ahead of time, and cooked right at your away tailgates!