Mediterranean Chicken Nachos are a fresh, flavorful twist on a classic, layering crispy pita chips with spiced chicken, a bright herb-packed salsa, and creamy feta dressing. These healthy nachos are perfect as a snack for the big game or as a fun dinner!
This is my Mediterranean take on chicken nachos, and let me tell you—it’s a flavor-packed dream! I love serving these healthy nachos family-style for casual gatherings and game nights, but it also makes an easy and fun weeknight dinner for my small family of four.
Instead of tortilla chips, I use my crispy baked pita chips as the base, layering them with warm, tangy spiced chicken, a bright and herbaceous Mediterranean salsa with olives and fresh mint, and crunchy pickled red onions. Instead of a pile of grated cheese, I add a generous drizzle of creamy feta dressing. Every bite is loaded with texture contrast and big Mediterranean flavors.
If you plan ahead and have the pickled onions, pita chips, and feta dressing prepped ahead of time, all that’s left is cooking the chicken, and then assembly is a breeze. Pile everything onto a big platter, serve it up family-style, and watch these healthy nachos disappear!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Mediterranean Chicken Nachos
This Mediterranean-inspired healthy nacho recipe is all about layering fresh, bold flavors. When it comes to fun dinners and festive events this is the recipe you want in your back pocket and here’s what you’ll need to make it at home!
For the Salsa
- Roma tomatoes: Juicy and tangy chopped tomatoes create the base of the salsa. Seed or drain them if they’re very juicy so they don’t make your pita chips soggy!
- Jalapeño, finely chopped, adds just the right amount of mild heat. Remove the seeds for a milder flavor, or swap in a serrano pepper if you like your nachos even spicier.
- Kalamata olives: Briny and rich olives give the salsa a salty punch and a Mediterranean twist. Make sure they’re pitted!
- Fresh Herbs: A fragrant mix of parsley and mint brightens up the salsa with lots of fresh flavor.
- READ MORE: for our best tips on buying and using fresh herbs.
- Sumac: This tangy spice adds a citrusy depth to the salsa without adding liquid. Read more below and find my favorite sumac in our shop.
- Lemon juice enhances the brightness of the salsa and adds that signature citrus flavor.
- Extra virgin olive oil: A drizzle of good olive oil rounds out the flavors of the salsa. Try it with peppery Arbequina olive oil from California.
For the Chicken
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly into juicy bites. I like to cut them into thin, bite-sized strips so they’re easy to pick up on top of a pita chip.
- Onion adds juiciness and sweet flavor once sautéed. I like to let it get some good, dark color in the pan so the sugars caramelize and even char a bit and you get that good, smoky depth!
- Garlic adds its wonderful sweet and pungent flavor to the lean cut of chicken.
- Spices: Just two spices give the chicken loads of Mediterranean flavor. Allspice adds warm, earthiness and sumac a tangy kick.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: I couldn’t do without these simple, flavor-enhancing seasonings.
- Lemon: A final citrus juice squeeze brings everything together and ensures the chicken will be juicy!
To Serve
- Pickled Red Onions have a tangy bite that makes this chicken nachos recipe even more mouth-watering.
- Creamy Feta Dressing: This creamy, salty, and tangy drizzle stands in for the usual melted cheese in this platter of healthy nachos—it ties it all together!
- Pita Chips: You can’t have nachos without chips. Use your favorite store-bought pita chips or bake up a batch of your own!
Ingredient Spotlight
One of the key flavors in traditional nachos is the sharp flavor of fresh lime juice. While lemon is a great stand-in in this Mediterranean version, I also like to add sumac to amp up both the chicken and salsa with even more tangy flavor.
Sumac is a dry spice made from ground sumac berries. It has a sharp, tangy, earthy flavor that I love in savory dishes. The astringency of sumac boosts savory flavors the same way acid or salt enhances flavor.
- READ MORE: What Is Sumac? Uses and Recipes
- TRY IT: Find my favorite sumac at our shop.
- BEST SUBSTITUTE: Lemon zest
How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Nachos
These chicken nachos come together in just a few simple steps, making them perfect for an easy dinner or appetizer. The key is to prep a few things ahead of time so all you have to do is cook the chicken and assemble the nachos when it’s time to eat. Here’s what the process looks like, step by step.
- Make the salsa: In a medium mixing bowl, combine 3 diced Roma tomatoes, 1 minced jalapeño, 1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives, 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves, and 1 teaspoon sumac. Season with a big dash each of kosher salt and black pepper. Add the juice of 1 lemon and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Once you have all the ingredients added, toss them together to combine and set aside.
- Prepare the toppings: Make the Pickled Red Onions, Creamy Feta Dressing, and Pita Chips ahead of time so they’re ready to go.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Next, add 1 large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced, and cook for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until softened and slightly charred. Once the onions are ready, stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Finally, add 1 1/2 pounds thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the pan and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons sumac, 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice, and a big pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the chicken.
- Assemble the chicken nachos: Spread pita chips on a large serving platter or tray, and top with the cooked chicken, then spoon on as much salsa as you like. Bring everything together and top with pickled onions and a generous drizzle of creamy feta dressing. Serve any leftover salsa or toppings on the side.
What to Serve with Chicken Nachos
This chicken nachos recipe is endlessly riffable. If you typically like to add beans to your nachos, try this one with some Crispy Roasted Chickpeas. When it comes to sauces and extras, try dollops of Avocado Crema or Citrus Avocado Salsa for a Mediterranean twist on guacamole.
These chicken nachos beg to be paired with a refreshing drink. When I have people over I like to provide options so I tend to serve something with and something without alcohol. Depending upon the season, whip up a batch of Peach Lemonade for those who abstain from alcohol or a White Sangria for those who indulge a little bit.
If you want to serve these nachos as an appetizer to feed a crowd, round out the meal with Greek Lamb Burgers or Salmon Tacos.
More Mediterranean Game Day Snacks
Dips and Condiments
Roasted Carrot Hummus with Spicy Harissa
Snacks
Chickpea Parmesan Crisps
Soups and Stews
Mediterranean-Style White Chicken Chili with Chermoula
Browse all Mediterranean recipes.
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Mediterranean Chicken Nachos
Ingredients
For the Salsa
- 3 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 large jalapeño, minced
- 1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Extra virgin olive oil
For the Chicken
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 3 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sumac
- 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the salsa. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, jalapeño, kalamata olives, parsley, mint, and sumac. Add a big dash each of kosher salt and black pepper. Add the lemon juice and drizzle generously with olive oil. Toss to combine and set aside.
- Prepare the toppings. Make the Pickled Red Onions, the Creamy Feta Dressing, and the Pita Chips, if using homemade.
- Cook the chicken. In a large nonstick pan or skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the onions have softened and charred in spots. Add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or until fragrant. Now add the chicken and season with the sumac, allspice, and a big pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, tossing occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the middle, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the heat and squeeze the lemon juice all over the chicken.
- Assemble the chicken nachos. Spread some pita chips on a large serving platter or tray. Add the chicken on top. Now add as much of the salsa as you like. Finish with the pickled onions and a drizzle of the feta dressing. Put any leftover salsa or toppings in small bowls to serve next to the nachos.
Notes
- Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including the olive oil, sumac, allspice and olives used in this recipe.
- Note: the nutrition information for this recipe does not include the Pickled Red Onions, Creamy Feta Dressing, or Pita Chips.
Nutrition
Exotic 4-Pack
Bring the vibrant seasonings of the Mediterranean to your kitchen with Sumac, Aleppo pepper, Ras el Hanout, and Baharat.
