Craving a crunchy, flavorful, and satisfying meal? These Chicken Tostadas are your answer! They bring together crispy tortillas, seasoned chicken, and a perfect balance of fresh toppings that will have your taste buds dancing. Picture yourself digging into that first bite, with the crunch of the tostada shell and the juicy chicken mixed with cool, creamy avocado and tangy salsa. Seriously, you won’t be able to stop at just one. Ready to dive in? Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love Chicken Tostadas
This recipe isn’t just about making a meal—it’s about bringing together layers of flavor and texture that’ll leave you feeling satisfied and full of happiness. Here’s why it’s a must-try:
Versatile: These tostadas are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, a weekend gathering, or even meal prep for the week ahead. You can top them with anything your heart desires, making them completely customizable.
Budget-Friendly: The ingredients are simple, and you can easily use leftovers from another meal to make this dish even more affordable. Chicken, tortillas, and fresh veggies are staples that won’t break the bank.
Quick and Easy: If you’re short on time but want something hearty and delicious, this recipe has your back. The prep is simple, and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.
Customizable: Want to add some heat? Throw in some jalapeños. Prefer something milder? Skip the spicy salsa. You’re the boss of these tostadas, and they’re endlessly adaptable.
Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you’re feeding a family, friends, or just yourself, these tostadas are sure to be a hit. The combination of textures and flavors is always a winner!
Ingredients in Chicken Tostadas
Here’s the magic behind these tostadas: just a handful of ingredients come together to create a satisfying meal that’s full of flavor.
Shredded Chicken: The star of the dish! Tender, seasoned chicken that’s juicy and flavorful. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook up some fresh chicken breasts—either way, it’s delicious.
Corn Tortillas: These form the crispy base of the tostadas. Their natural crunch adds a perfect texture contrast to the tender chicken and creamy toppings.
Refried Beans: A layer of refried beans gives the tostadas a creamy, hearty base that holds everything together. You can use canned beans or make them from scratch.
Lettuce: Fresh lettuce adds a light, crisp bite to balance out the rich chicken and beans.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes bring a burst of juiciness and color to each bite.
Avocado: Creamy, buttery avocado slices give the tostadas a smooth contrast to the crunch of the tortilla and the heartiness of the chicken.
Salsa: A dollop of salsa adds some tang and spice to the tostadas. Choose your favorite variety to match your preferred level of heat.
Cheese: Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend) adds a melty, savory topping that ties everything together.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to make these crunchy, delicious Chicken Tostadas:
Cook the Chicken: If you’re using fresh chicken, season your chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices. Cook in a pan over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked. Shred the chicken with a fork once it’s cool enough to handle. If using rotisserie chicken, just shred it and set it aside.
Prepare the Tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for about 1-2 minutes on each side until crispy. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven until they’re golden and crunchy.
Layer the Refried Beans: Spread a thin layer of refried beans on each crispy tortilla. This adds flavor and helps keep the toppings in place.
Assemble the Tostadas: On top of the beans, layer the shredded chicken, then sprinkle with shredded cheese. Place the tostadas under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese melts and becomes bubbly.
Add the Fresh Toppings: Remove from the oven and top with fresh lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, and a spoonful of salsa.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy the crunch, the flavors, and the joy of these easy-to-make tostadas.
How to Serve Chicken Tostadas
These tostadas are great on their own, but here are a few ways to make your meal even more delicious:
Side Salad: Pair your tostadas with a simple side salad dressed with lime vinaigrette for a refreshing, light complement to the richness of the tostadas.
Rice: A side of Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice goes perfectly with these tostadas, adding a fluffy and flavorful component.
Guacamole or Sour Cream: Add a dollop of creamy guacamole or sour cream on the side for extra richness and flavor.
Crispy Veggies: A side of roasted veggies or a fresh corn salad would balance the meal nicely with more color and texture.
Additional Tips
Here are a few tips to make your Chicken Tostadas even better:
Meal Prep: You can prep the chicken and toppings in advance to make assembly even quicker when you’re ready to eat. Store the chicken and beans in airtight containers in the fridge.
Extra Crunch: If you like your tostadas extra crispy, fry the tortillas instead of just warming them in the skillet. This will give them an even more satisfying crunch.
Customize the Spice: Add more or less salsa depending on how spicy you like it. You can even use a spicy chipotle salsa for a smoky kick.
Storage Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The tortillas will lose their crunch, but the flavors will still be delicious.
Double the Recipe: If you’re feeding a crowd or want leftovers, feel free to double the recipe. These tostadas make fantastic leftovers for lunch the next day!
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
A1: Yes, you can! Flour tortillas will be softer, but they still work well as a base for tostadas.
Q2: Can I make these ahead of time?
A2: Yes, you can prep the toppings and chicken ahead of time. Just assemble the tostadas and bake them when you’re ready to eat.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store the toppings and chicken in separate containers. Keep the crispy tortillas separate so they stay crunchy. Reassemble and heat when you’re ready to serve.
Q4: Can I use ground chicken instead of shredded?
A4: Absolutely! Ground chicken would work great as a filling for tostadas, and you can season it just like you would the shredded chicken.
Q5: Can I freeze these tostadas?
A5: It’s best to freeze the chicken and beans separately. You can then assemble the tostadas fresh when you’re ready to eat.
Q6: What are some other toppings I can add?
A6: Feel free to get creative! Pickled onions, jalapeños, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime would all make excellent additions.
Q7: How do I make these spicier?
A7: Add jalapeños to the topping, or use a spicy salsa to bring some heat to the dish.
Q8: Can I make these vegetarian?
A8: Yes! You can substitute the chicken with black beans, grilled vegetables, or even sautéed mushrooms for a delicious vegetarian version.
Q9: Can I use store-bought refried beans?
A9: Absolutely! Store-bought refried beans will save time and still taste great. Just heat them up before spreading on the tortillas.
Q10: Can I grill the chicken instead of cooking it in a pan?
A10: Yes! Grilling the chicken will add a smoky flavor, which makes these tostadas even more delicious.
Conclusion
These Chicken Tostadas are a complete winner—crispy, fresh, and packed with flavor. They’re easy to make, super customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a group, these tostadas will definitely hit the spot. Enjoy every crispy, delicious bite!
Print
Chicken Tostadas
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Feel free to add any toppings you like for extra flavor. You can make these tostadas ahead of time by preparing all the toppings and then assembling and baking when ready to serve.
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
These Chicken Tostadas are a quick and flavorful Mexican dinner, ready in just 15 minutes. With crispy corn tortillas, seasoned chicken, melted cheese, and your favorite toppings, they’re the perfect meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons canola or vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 1 (15 ounce) can refried beans
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Pico de gallo
- Tomatoes
- Guacamole
- Cilantro
- Avocado
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450℉. Line two cookie sheets with 6 corn tortillas each. Brush all the tortillas with a light layer of oil on both sides. Bake for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. Remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 350℉.
- While tortillas are cooking, combine the chicken, salsa, and taco seasoning in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Spread about 1-2 tablespoons of refried beans on each tortilla. Divide the chicken mixture evenly over the tortillas.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top of all the tortillas.
- Bake for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese melts.
- Top with desired toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, tomatoes, guacamole, cilantro, or avocado.
Notes
- Feel free to add any toppings you like for extra flavor.
- You can make these tostadas ahead of time by preparing all the toppings and then assembling and baking when ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tostada
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg