Easy Ninja Loaded Nachos

Sometimes you don’t think about the simplest solutions, like tossing everything in the instant pot for a quick and delicious loaded nacho dish. My sister and brother-in-law have been bragging about their shredded chicken Ninja instant pot / air fryer nachos for a while now, so when a quick-fix dinner was needed, I gave it a try. And I have to say, they were a huge hit!

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb ground beef (or chicken breast or thigh)
• 1/4 cup onions, diced
• 2 green chile peppers, diced
• 2 Tbsp oil
• Salt, pepper, Italian seasoning to taste
• Tortilla chips
• Sour cream
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup jack cheese, shredded
• 1 can refried beans

Pico:

• 6 tomatoes
• 4-6 roasted green chile peppers, or a can of diced if green chile is not in your area (and I’m so sorry!)
• 1 cup onions, diced
• 2 Tbsps garlic, minced
• Cilantro to taste, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced

Preparation:

• Turn your instant pot to saute and add oil
• Saute onions for two minutes then add in beef
• Season beef while stirring occasionally
• Add in green chile for the last minute of saute
• Remove beef mixture and set aside
• Add in instant pot air fryer basket, lined wit foil
• Toss in tortilla chips (I like to layer chips then a bit of beans and meat, then more chips, and repeat)
• Add refried beans, chile beef mixture, and cheese
• Air fry on 375 for 5 minutes
• Remove carefully and top with pico and sour cream

Pico Prep:

• Chop all ingredients
• Season to taste

Shredded Chicken Alternative

Using leftover chicken is fantastic for this easy dish. Just shred and add to your chips and beans. Or you can easily cook up a couple chicken breasts or thighs in your instant pot, whether fresh or frozen. Add 1 cup of water or chicken broth to the pot, then set pressure cooker to high for 8 minutes if thawed and 10 minutes if frozen. Allow to naturally release for 8 minutes then do a quick release. Your chicken will be unbelievably tender and so easy to shred.

Cooking Alternatives

Who doesn’t love nachos? And if you normally toss them in the microwave or wait around while they heat up and melt in the oven, you’ll love this alternative. Don’t have a Ninja instant pot / air fryer combo? If you happen to have these two handy gadgets separately, what’s one more basket to clean up? And if you only have an air fryer, saute your beef mixture on the stove, then pop it all into your instant pot.

Loaded Nachos for All Occasions

While most of us just aren’t entertaining like we use to, this quick dish is accommodates all. Whip up a mini version as a snack, pile it high for an appetizer, or make a couple batches in minutes for your (safe) family gatherings. And with your mountain of toppings, it’s certainly a filling meal too! With many of us watching football games from the couch these days, we need a few quick, go-to appetizers, don’t we?

~ Lisa