Shredded Chicken Nachos

Shredded Chicken Nachos Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
½ cup white or yellow onion, diced
3 cups store bought roasted chicken or your own, shredded
1 15 ounce can black or pinto beans, un-drained
1 10 ounce can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
¼ cup water
1 package taco seasoning
2 cups fiesta blend shredded cheese
1 bag of corn tortilla chips

Directions:In a skillet, sauté diced onion until tender. Add shredded chicken, beans, Rotel, water and stir in taco seasoning. Stir and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly hot. Remove from heat. Add tortilla chips to plates, divide chicken mixture into 4 portions and spoon over tortilla chips. Add cheese and place plates in microwave for 30 to 60 seconds each or until melted. Microwave ovens vary in temperature, so watch it! Top as desired.

Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa (I used black bean and corn salsa).

Enjoy!

Leftover Bean Chili

Ingredients:
2 lbs lean ground beef
2 onions, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
6 cloves of garlic, minced
¼ cup chili powder
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups left over pinto beans or use 2- 15 ounce cans pinto beans
1 28oz can of diced tomatoes
1 10 ounce can tomatoes and green chilies
Serve with sour cream or plain yogurt, if desired.

Directions:
Cook the ground beef, onion and bell pepper in a large Dutch oven or soup pot until the meat is browned and the vegetables are tender. When done, drain any excess fat from the pot. Add minced garlic and cook until soft. Combine meat mixture with all spices, salt, pepper, and Sugar. Mix in the beans, diced tomatoes and the can of tomatoes and green chilies. Continue to cook chili for 45 minutes to an hour.

Love, love, love this served over homemade Nachos with lots of cheesy goodness on top : ). Step out of the box and use a cheese you don't normally associate with nachos, like blue cheese, Munster or brie.

Cooks note: If you like you can substitute the ground beef with chopped beef or chicken.  Or you can use ground chicken or turkey for a lighter version.