This is one of those dinners that checks all the boxes: quick, delicious, kid-friendly, and endlessly versatile. Everyone can build their own tostada just how they like it, which (hopefully!) means zero complaints and (hopefully!) clean plates all around.

msn cover - chicken tostadas — Photo Credit: My Everyday Table.

Dinner. Is. Served. 🤩

Is there a better phrase to hear at the 5pm hour? I think not.

There is a lot to love about these chicken tostadas! It’s a quick and easy meal; made with simple ingredients; and served up DIY-style which is helpful if you’re serving this meal to kids. I came up with this chicken tostadas recipe after my kids became obsessed with these black bean tostadas. We put out all of the toppings and let everyone build their own perfect tostada. They’re…

😋 Seriously delicious: Crispy, creamy, crunchy, and fresh in every bite – these tostadas have it all!
🛒 Made with simple ingredients: No fancy ingredients needed for this meal. Just some basic pantry staples and a few store-bought shortcuts.
⏱️ Fast weeknight dinner: Ready in less than 20 minutes, thanks to a major shortcut – rotisserie chicken!
👧 Kid-friendly and customizable: Let everyone top their own and make their own perfect tostadas. It’s the best way to serve the same meal to the whole family. (IMHO.)
🔥 Crispy perfection: Toasted tortillas are the best contrast to soft beans, tender chicken, and cool toppings.
🍗 Great use for leftover chicken: If you have some extra shredded rotisserie or meal-prepped chicken, this is a great way to turn it into a meal.

You’ll also want to try ground turkey taco skillet, chicken taco soup, taco salad, and chicken fajita quesadillas.

GIF adding toppings to chicken tostada recipe.

Ingredient Notes

You’ll need some fresh ingredients and pantry staples to bring this easy dinner to the table: shredded chicken, oil, spices (chili powder, cumin, garlic powder), tomato paste, tostada shells, refried black beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, lime, and any other additional toppings you may want.

Emily’s Tips & Tricks

Feeding kids without pressure: I would recommend serving the tostadas as a DIY situation so that everyone can build their own tostadas. Serve the meal with a few items you know your kids will eat, like fruit, milk, and/or bread and butter if they don’t do tostada shells.
Variations: I’ve used rotisserie chicken for these tostadas to cut down on prep time, but you can use sous vide shredded chicken, slow cooker salsa chicken, grilled chicken, or even ground chicken like these ground chicken tacos.
Additions: Want to add a bit of spice? Add some canned chipotle peppers in adobo or diced jalapenos for some extra heat (that my Minnesota child will not

Hand squeezing lime juice over chicken tostada.

Easy Chicken Tostada Recipe

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Author: Emily Dingmann of myeverydaytable.com
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 12 tostadas 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Skillet
Cuisine: Mexican

Print Recipe

Description

These chicken tostadas are a quick and easy meal; made with simple ingredients; and served up DIY-style which is always fun!

Ingredients

Units Scale

~ 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 2 cooked breasts or 18 oz. cooked)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
12 tostada shells
15 oz. can refried black beans (or try homemade refried beans)
2 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomato
cotija cheese
1 lime (cut into wedges)
optional garnish: pickled red onion and/or cilantro

Instructions

Heat refried beans and prep toppings.
Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Add tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder to the pan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add chicken to the skillet and cook until the chicken is heated through, being careful not to overcook and dry out the chicken.
Assemble tostadas. Top tostada shell with refried beans, chicken, lettuce, tomato, and cotija cheese. Squeeze lime over the top.

Notes

Storage: Store healthy chicken tostada components in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat tostada chicken in a hot skillet or microwave, just until warm.
Ingredient notes: Put out a variety of fresh toppings to let everyone make the tostadas their own.
Prep ahead: You can make the chicken mixture a day or two in advance and prep your toppings the day of.
Serve with: Elote in a cup, refried black beans, and plenty of fresh toppings.

Serving Suggestions

All this easy meal needs is a simple side or two. Here are a few of our favorites.

Chipotle Copycat Corn Salsa
Refried Black Beans
Mexi-Style Cauliflower Rice
Elote in a Cup
Microwaved frozen corn (if we’re in a rush!)

About the Author

Emily Dingmann is a recipe developer, nutrition expert, and founder of My Everyday Table. She specializes in creating easy, healthy recipes that help busy parents feed their families well every single day, without the stress. With a degree in Nutrition and over 20 years of experience, Emily shares family-friendly meals that are practical, nourishing, and full of flavor. Learn more about Emily’s approach to everyday cooking and nutrition here.

Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.

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