Nachos with Smoked Chicken

Friday nights at Homemade Heaven can be rather hectic. There is lots of driving to fetch children, walk dogs and of course the lack of enthusiasm to cook or mess the kitchen before the weekend has even started.

This easy, throw together meal is so simple that even the smallest member of the family can help. It is very sociable eating too and would work very well as a starter for an informal dinner party. 

Nachos are a Tex-Mex dish from northern Mexico, you can add any protein you like or leave it out for a lighter meal or vegetarian dish. Always ensure it is possible to eat this dish with your fingers, there are Nachos Police who arrest people who use eating utensils with this dish.

I used chunky cottage cheese, as it was on special (bonus on the wallet) and it worked really well. Traditionally you should use sour cream, but I found that the little people like the cottage cheese better.  
As you read the recipe you will see there are lots of optional ingredients or alternatives. This is the best thing about this dish, you can add whatever you like and use up any leftover ingredients stock piled from the week.

Nachos with Smoked Chicken

250g Bag of Doritos (I used the cheese flavour, but you can spice it up with a hotter flavour)



250g Smoked Chicken sliced into bite size pieces
1/2 Sweet Yellow Pepper chopped small
10ml Garlic (Fresh chopped is best, less if you using garlic powder)
15ml Butter
2 medium Tomatoes Chopped (or use halved cherry tomatoes)
10 small Spring Onions Chopped
250g Tub Plain Chunky Cottage Cheese
Olive Oil
Handful of chopped Fresh Coriander (You can omit this if you don't have or like)
Chopped Fresh Chilli (Optional)
Black Pepper 
300g Grated Cheddar

Place the whole bag chips on a big oven proof platter
In a pan, on a medium heat, fry the chicken, peppers and garlic until heated through and peppers slightly softened.      
Remove from the heat and add the tomatoes and spring onions, stir through.
Leave to stand for 5 minutes to heat the tomatoes slightly.
Evenly place the chicken mix on top of the chips, to ensure that everyone gets some with each serving.
Top with the cottage cheese, you can't spread this but ensure that there are some "blobs" everywhere.
Add the fresh coriander and chilli (if using).
Season with lots of ground black pepper
Top evenly with lots of cheese.

Bake under the grill for 5 minutes until golden and all the cheese has melted.
Add friends and family and ENJOY!!!