Tostadas are a beloved Mexican dish, and with this easy chicken tostadas recipe, you’ll get all the authentic flavors with minimal effort. Perfect for a busy weeknight, this meal is full of crisp textures, fresh ingredients, and deliciously seasoned chicken. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings, making it ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Tostadas Recipe
- Quick and Simple: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for any night of the week.
- Healthy and Customizable: Adjust toppings to make it just the way you like it.
- Bursting with Flavor: Every bite combines tender chicken, crispy tortillas, and fresh toppings.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken: 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (use rotisserie chicken for convenience)
- Seasoning: 1 packet of taco seasoning or 1 tbsp homemade seasoning (cumin, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder)
- Corn Tortillas: 8 small corn tortillas
- Toppings: Fresh ingredients like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, sour cream, shredded cheese, and fresh cilantro
- Oil: 2-3 tablespoons of vegetable oil for frying the tortillas (or use an air fryer for a healthier option)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Tortillas:
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Fry each tortilla until golden and crispy, about 1 minute per side. Place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Alternatively, air fry at 375°F for 3-4 minutes or until crispy.
- Season the Chicken:
- Mix shredded chicken with taco seasoning, adding a little water if needed. Heat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.
- Assemble the Tostadas:
- Spread a layer of refried beans on each tortilla (optional for extra flavor and protein).
- Top with seasoned chicken, then add your choice of toppings: lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
- Serve:
- Enjoy immediately for the perfect crispy texture! Serve with lime wedges and your favorite hot sauce.
Tips for Making the Perfect Tostadas
- Opt for Corn Tortillas: They’re more authentic and get beautifully crispy.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: Cuts down on prep time and adds flavor.
- Customize the Toppings: Go traditional or add extras like jalapeños, pickled onions, or a drizzle of hot sauce.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~250 kcal
- Protein: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 4g
Final Thoughts
These easy chicken tostadas are a simple way to enjoy Mexican flavors at home! Whether for a casual family meal or a gathering with friends, these tostadas are sure to please.
Serving and Storage Tips for Easy Chicken Tostadas 🌮
Serving Tips
- Serve Immediately: Tostadas are best enjoyed fresh, as the crispy tortillas will soften over time. Assemble just before serving for the perfect crunch.
- Create a Toppings Bar: If serving a crowd, set up a toppings bar so everyone can customize their tostadas. Offer a variety of toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced radishes, salsa, guacamole, and hot sauce for a fun, interactive meal.
- Serve with Side Dishes: Pair tostadas with sides like Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh salad. A simple corn salad or pico de gallo also complements the flavors well.
Storage Tips
- Store Ingredients Separately: To keep leftovers fresh, store each component separately. Store shredded chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Crisp Up Tortillas: If you have leftover tortillas, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. To re-crisp them, warm in the oven at 375°F for a few minutes before serving.
- Avoid Freezing Assembled Tostadas: While the chicken can be frozen, assembled tostadas don’t freeze well due to the toppings and tortilla texture. If you need to freeze, only freeze the seasoned chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating Tips
- Chicken: Reheat in a skillet or microwave until warmed through.
- Tortillas: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F to regain crispiness before adding toppings.
With these tips, you can enjoy fresh and flavorful chicken tostadas any day of the week!
1. Can I make these tostadas with other meats instead of chicken?
Absolutely! This recipe is very versatile. You can use ground beef, shredded beef, or even pork. Just season and prepare the meat similarly, and it’ll work perfectly with the toppings and crispy tortilla.
2. How can I make the tostadas healthier?
To make healthier tostadas, try baking or air frying the tortillas instead of frying them in oil. You can also use low-fat sour cream, reduced-fat cheese, and add extra veggies for a more nutritious meal.
3. Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas?
While corn tortillas are traditional and give a great crisp, you can use small flour tortillas if that’s your preference. Just note that they may not get as crispy and might have a different texture.
4. What’s the best way to keep the tostadas crispy if serving later?
If you’re planning to serve later, prepare and store the toppings and seasoned chicken separately. Re-crisp the tortillas in the oven at 375°F for a few minutes just before assembling and serving, which will help maintain their crunch.
Easy Chicken Tostadas
These Easy Chicken Tostadas are quick, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight meal! Crispy tortillas topped with seasoned chicken, refried beans, cheese, and fresh toppings make a delicious, customizable dish that’s ready in minutes. Great for family dinners or gatherings, everyone can add their favorite toppings to make it their own!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
- 1/4 cup water
- For the Tostadas:
- 8 tostada shells (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 can (15 oz) refried beans, warmed
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the shredded chicken, taco seasoning, and water. Stir well and cook for 5-7 minutes, until the chicken is heated through and well-coated with the seasoning. Set aside.
- Warm the Beans: Heat the refried beans in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until warmed.
- Assemble the Tostadas: Spread a layer of warm refried beans on each tostada shell. Top with seasoned chicken, then sprinkle shredded cheese over the top.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Add shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, olives, and any other desired toppings.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle sour cream or Mexican crema over each tostada, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For homemade tostada shells, brush corn tortillas lightly with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
- Customize with additional toppings like avocado slices, pickled jalapeños, or salsa.