Sweet Smoky BBQ Chicken Tostadas (Printable Version)
Crispy corn shells topped with smoky BBQ shredded chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy sauce for a satisfying Tex-Mex meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
02 - 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
→ Tostada Shells
05 - 8 corn tostada shells
→ Toppings
06 - 1 cup shredded lettuce
07 - 1 cup chopped tomatoes
08 - 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
09 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
10 - 1 ripe avocado, sliced
11 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
12 - 1/3 cup sour cream
→ Optional Garnishes
13 - 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
14 - Lime wedges
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange tostada shells on a baking sheet and warm for 5 minutes until crisp.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, honey or brown sugar, and smoked paprika. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and evenly coated, about 5 minutes.
03 - Arrange tostada shells on serving plates. Divide the BBQ chicken evenly over each shell.
04 - Layer each tostada with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, red onion, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro.
05 - Drizzle sour cream over each tostada. Add jalapeño slices and lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It turns leftover chicken into something that feels completely new and exciting with almost no effort.
- The combination of smoky, sweet, creamy, and crunchy hits every texture and flavor craving at once.
02 -
- Do not skip warming the shells because cold tostadas are tough, stale, and will break your heart on the first bite.
- Stir the chicken sauce gently rather than vigorously so the shredded pieces stay intact instead of turning into mush.
03 -
- Warm the BBQ chicken mixture just until heated through because overcooking will dry out the chicken and make the sauce thick and gummy.
- Double the chicken recipe and freeze half for an almost instant meal on a night when cooking feels impossible.