Chicken and Molé Black Bean Nachos

Probably doesn’t come as a surprise that nachos are one of my favorite meals. I mean… it’s carbs smothered with cheese. What’s not to love?! Top those nachos with molé black beans and a little chicken for good measure an your got yourself the most perfect meal. It pretty much covers all the food groups so you can count it as healthy too! ;)

Molé is one of those things that I only get when I know I’m at a place that it’s going to be good. It’s a special treat because it’s not something I typically make at home. However, I decided to try a molé inspired black bean recipe that’s super easy and flavorful. No, it’s not a fancy authentic recipe but it adds that complex flavor to these nachos that make them oh-so good.

Recipe

Ingredients:

For the mole black beans:

1 can black beans

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 chipotle in adobo, finely chopped

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp corriander

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried oregano

3 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup water

juice from 1/2 lime

Salt to taste

For the nachos:

8oz tortilla chips

2 cups cooked, shredded chicken

3 cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese

1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco

Chopped green onions (optional, chopped for garnish)

Sour cream (optional for garnish

To make:

Turn oven on to broil.

Place a large saute pan over medium heat. Add black beans, tomato paste, chipotle, onion powder, cumin, corriander, garlic powder, oregano, chocolate chips, and water. Simmer and stir until everything is melted and combined.

Mash black beans with the back of a fork to create more of a paste/sauce. Add more water if the mixture becomes too thick.

Remove from heat and add lime juice. Salt to taste.

In a cast iron skillet or any oven safe dish, start building the nachos.

Layer tortilla chips, 1/3 of black beans, 1/3 chicken, and 1/3 cheddar cheese. Continue this process for another 2 layers. Add queso fresco to the top and place under broiler for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.

Garnish with green onions and sour cream.

Enjoy!