Heat treatable coated articles with metal nitride layer and methods of making same

A heat treatable coated article including a solar management layer for reflecting infrared (IR) or the like, is provided between a substrate and an overlying dielectric layer. An underlying dielectric layer between the substrate and solar management layer is optional. In certain embodiments, the solar management layer may include NiCrNx while the dielectric layer(s) may include a nitride such as silicon nitride. By nitriding the solar management layer, it has been found that the resulting coated article is more color stable upon heat treatment (HT). For example, the coated article may have a DeltaE* value (transmissive and/or glass side reflective) of no greater than 5.0, more preferably no greater than 4.0, and most preferably no greater than 3.0. Coated articles herein may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windows, or the like.