Chicken Tostada Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

Published March 28, 2018. Updated May 8, 2019

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These Tostadas with Chicken Beans and Guacamole are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! These are piled high with layer after layer of deliciousness and you’ll be savoring every bite. It’s one of those tasty recipes the whole family can agree on!

Chicken Tostada Recipe - Cooking Classy (1)

What is a Tostada?

A Tostada is a classic Mexican dish that’s generally made up of a crisp fried tortilla shell as the base then it’s layered with toppings such as seasoned meat or poultry, beans, lettuce, cheese and salsa or pico de gallo.

The Best Easy Chicken Tostada Recipe

I love tostadas because they’re so versatile, they’re easy to throw together and they’re loaded with so many delicious flavors.

This version is my weeknight favorite because it includes all the best things, and it requires minimal cooking (you only need to heat the beans, it uses pre-cooked rotisserie chicken).

And when avocado is involved you know it’s going to be the best!

Watch the Tostada Video!

Ingredients Needed for Tostadas:

  • Tostada shells
  • Guacamole
  • Refried beans
  • Canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • Rotisserie chicken
  • Lettuce
  • Cheese
  • Pico de gallo
  • Sour cream

For this recipe I usedmy families favorite canned refried beans. Rosarita Traditional Refried Beans are a go-to product around here (and you can find them at Walmart). We always heat them up with cheese and spices as a dip for tortilla chipsand my kids frequently request them as a side to their lunch.

Then another product I love which I used here are Ro*Tel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies. You can add a can of those to just about any Mexican or Southwestern dish, right? They work perfect for this recipe.

Chicken Tostada Recipe - Cooking Classy (2)

How do You Make Tostadas?

  • Prep ingredients.
  • Make the quick guacamole.
  • Heat the bean and tomato mixture.
  • Assemble tostadas. Easy as that!

How do You Make Homemade Tostada Shells?

You can usually find tostada shells next to the tortillas at the store, but if you can or if you just want to make them yourself here’s how you’ll do it:

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Brush both sides of 6 yellow corn tortillas lightly with olive or vegetable oil, season lightly with salt
  • Bake on a rimmed baking sheet about 4 – 5 mins per side until crisp.

Chicken Tostada Recipe - Cooking Classy (3)

More Mexican Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Homemade Enchilada Sauce
  • Grilled Chicken Street Tacos
  • Mexican Rice
  • Homemade Salsa
  • Fish Tacos
  • Tres Leches

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Chicken Tostada Recipe - Cooking Classy (4)

5 from 4 votes

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Tostadas {with Chicken Guacamole and Beans}

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These tostadas are perfect for an easy weeknight dinner! They're loaded with layer after layer of deliciousness and you'll be savoring every bite. Plus it's a recipe everyone can agree on.

Save time by using store-bought tostada shells, pico found in the deli, and store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Watch the video

Servings: 6

Prep20 minutes minutes

Cook5 minutes minutes

Ready in: 25 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 tostada shells , store-bought or homemade*
  • 2 medium ripe avocados
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder, divided
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 (16 oz) can Rosarita Traditional Refried Beans
  • 1 (10 oz) can Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies Mild, drained
  • 3/4 tsp ancho chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
  • 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken or shredded cooked chicken breasts
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 1 cup pico de gallo, homemade or store-bought**
  • 6 Tbsp Sour cream

Instructions

  • Using a fork mash avocado with lime juice and 1/8 tsp garlic powder to a slightly chunky texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  • In a small saucepan mix together refried beans, drained canned tomatoes, chili powder, cumin and remaining 1/8 tsp garlic powder.

  • Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until heated through.

  • To assemble tostadas, layer each tostada shell with guacamole (avocado mixture), bean mixture, lettuce, chicken, cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream. Serve immediately.

Notes

  1. The store-bought tostada shells can usually be found by the tortillas. If making the tostada shells yourself preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush both sides of 6 yellow corn tortillas lightly with olive or vegetable oil (about 1 Tbsp total). Season lightly with salt then bake on a rimmed baking sheet about 4 - 5 mins per side until crisp.
  2. For homemade pico de gallo - in a medium bowl toss together 2 diced roma tomatoes, 3 Tbsp diced yellow onion, 2 Tbsp minced cilantro and 2 tsp lime juice. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Recipe source: Cooking Classy

Nutrition Facts

Tostadas {with Chicken Guacamole and Beans}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 461Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 8g50%

Cholesterol 59mg20%

Sodium 998mg43%

Potassium 617mg18%

Carbohydrates 33g11%

Fiber 9g38%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 22g44%

Vitamin A 825IU17%

Vitamin C 14.7mg18%

Calcium 206mg21%

Iron 2.7mg15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Tostada

Author: Jaclyn

This post was sponsored by Mirum Shopper, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Chicken Tostada Recipe - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

What makes a tostada a tostada? ›

Think of tostadas as a flat taco with a blank canvas. “The toppings are unlimited, like tacos and tamales,” Carrillo Arronte says. “It can be refried beans or mashed, with some protein and some finely sliced lettuce, sour cream, fresh cheese crumbles, avocado slices and salsa.”

Where did tostadas originate from? ›

While some say that tostadas likely originated in Oaxaca, Mexico, the origins aren't exactly clear. Traces of tostada history can be found all throughout Mesoamerica. Mesoamerica is a large cultural and historical region that includes just about half of Mexico and most of Central America.

What do you eat tostadas with? ›

Our Best Ideas for Tostadas

Whether you choose authentic Mexican recipes with shredded beef or chicken or an inspired take that features bacon and eggs, you'll find that, served with some homemade guacamole and a margarita or two, tostadas make the perfect meal.

What is chicken tostadas made of? ›

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.

What is a queen tostada? ›

Queen Tostada

Crispy flour tortilla bowl filled with refried beans, shreded lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream & salsa, your choice of beef, or chicken.

Do Mexicans eat tostada? ›

Tostadas are a standalone dish in Mexico and the American Southwest, and are also served as a companion to various Mexican foods, mostly seafood and stews, such as menudo, birria and pozole. Tostadas can be found across Mexico.

What is a Mexican tostada called? ›

The word “Tostada” is Spanish for “toasted” and is the name of a Mexican dish that is served on a toasted or deep fried corn tortilla. The actual tostada (the toasted corn tortilla) is the base of the recipe and is topped with refried beans, cheese, meat, lettuce, and other toppings.

Why are tostadas so hard to eat? ›

Tostadas are typically messy because they have a lot of toppings that will inevitably fall off the tortilla. The ingredients used to make tostadas are usually quite wet, so it is very likely for them to spill over the edges of the tortilla and onto your hands or plate.

What are Mexican tostada made of? ›

A tostada has a pretty simple construction: it's like a taco, but flat. It's usually made with a fried corn tortilla, topped with refried beans, shredded cheese, salsa, and other toppings.

How many tostadas should I eat? ›

As you can see, a tostada can be a good source of some essential nutrients like magnesium, fiber and iron. Note that a normal serving of tostadas is 2-3 tostadas. When combined with other toppings like beans, vegetables and meat, tostadas can make a filling and balanced meal!

How do you keep tostadas from getting soggy? ›

Fried Tostada Shells

The main thing with frying is making sure the oil is sizzling, but not smoking. Too low and the tortilla goes soggy, too high and it'll burn. You're aiming for around 170C/340F-180C/350F. It's also important to keep the tortilla submerged in the oil to ensure both sides cook at an even rate.

Why do Guatemalans eat tostadas? ›

The traditional "Tostadas Guatemaltecas" (Corn Tortillas Toasts) are very popular. These are basically a snack or appetizer before lunch. This traditional Guatemala snack is quite common during national holidays or just for sharing with the family and friends any time during the day.

How do you eat chicken tostadas? ›

To assemble a chicken tostada, start by placing a crispy corn tortilla on a plate. Spread a layer of refried beans on top, followed by shredded chicken, and then add your favorite toppings. To eat, simply pick up the tostada and enjoy it like an open-faced taco.

What are tostadas called in English? ›

Tostada (/tɒˈstɑːdə/ or /toʊˈstɑːdə/; Spanish: [tosˈtaða]) is a Spanish word which literally means "toasted". It is used in some Hispanic American countries to name several different traditional local dishes which have in common that they are toasted or use a toasted ingredient as the main base of their preparation.

How are tostadas different from tacos? ›

"The main difference is that a tostada is flat and made on a crispy tortilla shell, usually corn. Tacos, while they can be made in crispy corn shells, are most commonly seen soft, folded, with either corn or flour tortillas," says Jessica Formicola, chef and blogger at Savory Experiments.

What's the difference between a tortilla and a tostada? ›

What is the difference between a tostada and a tortilla? A tostada is made out of a tortilla that has been baked or fried to get golden, crispy, and crunchy. It's similar to a tortilla chip, except that a tostada is the whole tortilla vs cut into triangles for chips.

Is a tostada just a flat taco? ›

A tostada has a pretty simple construction: it's like a taco, but flat. It's usually made with a fried corn tortilla, topped with refried beans, shredded cheese, salsa, and other toppings.

What's the difference between tacos and tostadas? ›

Tostada means "toasted," and they are served flat because they are crunchy and will break if bent, whereas tacos are pliable, with the tortillas ready to be rolled up or folded around their fillings when it comes time to eat.

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