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Crispy Chicken Tostadas

Chicken Tostadas

These Chicken Tostadas are crispy, colorful, and packed with savory shredded chicken, creamy refried beans, melty cheese, fresh vegetables, avocado, and tangy sour cream. A healthy and fun 4th of July appetizer ready in just 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 18 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 tostadas
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 340
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 corn tortillas or tostada shells
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 2 cups refried beans
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
  • 2 cups shredded lettuce
  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
  • 0.5 cup pico de gallo or salsa
  • 0.5 cup sour cream or Mexican crema
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 4 lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • oven
  • wire baking rack
  • baking sheet
  • skillet
  • saucepan

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F if making homemade tostada shells. Brush corn tortillas lightly with oil on both sides and place them on an oven-safe wire rack over a baking sheet.
  2. Bake the tortillas for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown and crispy, watching carefully during the final minutes.
  3. Warm the shredded chicken in a skillet over medium heat and season with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and lime juice.
  4. Warm the refried beans in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until smooth and spreadable.
  5. If desired, warm the tostada shells briefly in the oven before assembling.
  6. Spread a thin layer of warm refried beans evenly over each tostada shell.
  7. Top the beans with a generous layer of seasoned shredded chicken.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken while it is still warm.
  9. Top each tostada with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, avocado slices, pico de gallo, and a drizzle of sour cream or crema.
  10. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side.

Notes

Assemble tostadas just before serving to keep the shells crispy. Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep or homemade chicken tinga for deeper flavor. Store all toppings separately and let guests build their own tostadas for easy entertaining.