Chicken Tostadas

Chicken tostadas are truly a family favorite. Not only are they easy to make, but they’re also one of my (and my mom’s) go-to meals to serve at family gatherings.

We like to lay out all the ingredients on a table so each person can make their tostada just the way they prefer, like a little tostada station or buffet.

Made with refried beans, shredded chicken, and plenty of toppings layered on a crunchy tostada shell, this is a quick and easy meal you can make for any occasion. 

What Are Tostadas?

Tostadas are made from baked or fried corn tortillas that are typically layered with refried beans, cheese, meat, and various toppings such as red or green salsa, diced tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more.

They’re often eaten for dinner, lunch, or as an appetizer at parties. My family would always prepare a big batch on Sundays for an early dinner after church. They were always delicious and could easily serve a crowd (seeing as there were well over 15 of us!).

Tostada Shells for Chicken Tostadas

At the base of every tostada recipe is a tostada shell. A tostada shell is basically a corn tortilla that’s been baked or fried until crispy and crunchy like a tortilla chip.

Tostada shells are becoming easier and easier to find in many grocery stores, and are often located in the Hispanic foods section near the shelf-stable tortillas.

If you can’t find any in your local grocery store, you can buy them online or make your own tostada shells.

Chicken Tostada Ingredients

• Tostada Shells – You can make your own tostada shells or buy them at a store.
• Refried beans – You can make your own refried beans for extra flavor or use your favorite canned refried beans if you want to save time.
• Shredded chicken – This is a great recipe to make when you need to use up any leftover chicken you have in the fridge. You can also use a shredded store-bought rotisserie chicken or make your own shredded chicken at home.
• Toppings – I like to top my tostadas with crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, avocado, and Mexican crema. If you can’t find cotija cheese or queso fresco, you can use your favorite shredded cheese instead. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even mozzarella would all work!
• Garnishes – Finish off your tostadas with a spritz of fresh lime juice, sea salt, and hot sauce!

How to Make Chicken Tostadas

Start by heating up the refried beans and shredded chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can add a little extra flavor to the chicken by stirring in some taco seasoning, salsa verde, or making chicken tinga instead.

Then assemble the tostadas by spreading a thin layer of refried beans on each tostada shell. Top with the chicken, cheese, and any other toppings you like.

How to Eat Chicken Tostadas

Eating tostadas is super easy – simply pick it up and take a bite!

They can be a little messy, especially if the tostada shell is on the thinner side, but they’re best eaten with your hands.

Luckily, most tostada shells (even the homemade ones) are on the thicker side, so they’re actually sturdier than you think.

Toppings for Chicken Tostadas

You can make tostadas anyway you like by adding all of the toppings you love. Along with the suggestions I’ve already included, these toppings would also be delicious with the shredded chicken and refried beans:

• Pickled red onions
• Avocado crema
• Pico de gallo
• Salsa macha
• Pickled jalapeños
• Grilled corn salsa
• Esquites

Making Ahead and Storing

To make ahead, prepare the shredded chicken (if not leftover) and refried beans up to 2 days ahead of time. Keep them stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge until it’s time to heat them up. 

You can prepare all of the toppings and garnishes ahead of time as well. With everything ready, all you have to do assemble the and eat!

To store, keep the leftover shells in a storage bag at room temperature for up to 3 days to stay crunchy. Keep the beans, chicken, and toppings stored in airtight containers in the fridge.

More Mexican Recipes

• Picadillo
• Sheet Pan Nachos
• Chicken Taquitos
• Sopes
• Flautas