These Chicken Tostadas are a quick, flavorful dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Crispy tostada shells are piled high with seasoned chicken, black beans, and sweet corn, then topped with fresh vegetables, shredded cheese, and a creamy cilantro lime sauce. This easy Mexican-inspired recipe is ready in about 30 minutes, making it a go-to weeknight meal.
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Need a quick, flavorful, dinner idea? These chicken tostadas are simple to make, full of flavor and loved by kids and adults alike.
This dish is also highly customizable. Everyone can add their favorite toppings to make the tostadas their own. Serve with chips and White Queso for a full, crowd-pleasing meal.
What Is a Tostada?
A tostada is a traditional Mexican dish made with a crispy fried corn tortilla topped with ingredients such as beans, meat, cheese, and fresh vegetables. Unlike a taco, a tostada is served flat, which allows for a colorful, layered presentation and a satisfying crunch with every bite.
Why This Recipe Works
- Quick and easy: This recipe is ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Family-friendly: Mild, customizable flavors that kids love.
- Gluten-free option: Use corn tostada shells for a naturally gluten-free meal.
- Full of flavor: Traditional Mexican seasonings with a bright, zesty cilantro lime sauce.
Ingredients
Chicken Tostada Filling
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into approximately 1-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (divided; homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup black beans (canned; drained and rinsed)
- 1/2 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (minced)
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
For Assembling the Tostadas
- 8 tostada shells
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup tomatoes (diced)
Optional Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Sliced avocado
- Diced onions
- Salsa
- Jalapeños
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
How to Make Chicken Tostadas
Prep!
Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for even cooking, and prepare homemade taco seasoning if using.
Chef’s Tip: A store-bought taco seasoning packet works perfectly if you want to save time.
Create!
Chicken Tostada Filling
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center.
Stir in the black beans and corn and cook 2 more minutes until warmed through.
Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
Cilantro Lime Sauce
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, minced cilantro and remaining 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning.
Mix until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Chef’s Tip: For extra tang, add a little more lime juice.
Present!
Place tostada shells on serving plates.
Spoon the chicken, bean, and corn mixture onto each shell.
Top with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes and any other toppings you desire.
Drizzle with the cilantro lime sauce and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
Serve immediately for crispy tostadas.
Tips and Techniques for the Best Chicken Tostadas
- Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut: Shredded rotisserie chicken can replace diced chicken. Just heat it along with the beans and corn.
- Don’t overload tostadas: Too many toppings can make them hard to eat. Start light and add more if needed.
- Warm the shells: Place tostada shells in a 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes to make them extra crispy.
- Customize toppings: Lettuce, salsa, onions, avocado, or jalapeños all work great.
Storage
Store leftover chicken filling and cilantro lime sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Assemble tostadas just before serving to keep shells crispy. Leftover chicken filling can also be used in tacos, burrito bowls, or quesadillas.
FAQs
What is a Chicken Tostada?
A chicken tostada is a Mexican-inspired dish made with a crispy corn tortilla topped with seasoned chicken, beans, vegetables, and cheese. It’s similar to a taco but served flat for a crunchy, layered bite.
What Toppings Go on Chicken Tostadas?
Common toppings include lettuce, tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocado, salsa, onions, and cilantro. You can also add your favorite toppings to customize your tostadas.
What Sides Go Well with Chicken Tostadas?
Chicken tostadas pair well with Mexican rice, corn salad, chips with queso, or a fresh green salad.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes to Try
Love this Chicken Tostadas recipe? Follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook for more easy dinner ideas and family-friendly recipes.
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating. Thank you!
Chicken Tostadas with Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Tostada Filling
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs (cut into approximately 1-inch pieces)
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup black beans (canned; drained and rinsed)
- 1/2 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
Creamy Cilantro Lime Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (minced)
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
For Assembling the Tostadas
- 8 tostada shells
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/2 cup tomatoes (diced)
Optional Toppings
- lettuce (shredded)
- avocado (diced)
- onions (diced)
- salsa
- jalapeños (sliced)
Instructions
Chicken Tostada Filling
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Add the chicken and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. Cook 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink in the center.1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- Stir in the black beans and corn and cook 2 more minutes until warmed through.1/2 cup black beans, 1/2 cup corn
- Remove the skillet from heat and set aside.
Cilantro Lime Sauce
- In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, minced cilantro and remaining 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning.¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 lime, 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- Mix until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Assemble the Tostadas
- Place tostada shells on serving plates.8 tostada shells
- Spoon the chicken, bean, and corn mixture onto each shell.
- Top with shredded cheese, diced tomatoes and any other toppings you desire.1 cup cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup tomatoes, lettuce, avocado, onions, salsa, jalapeños
- Drizzle with the cilantro lime sauce and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately for crispy tostadas.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut: Shredded rotisserie chicken can replace diced chicken. Just heat it along with the beans and corn.
- Don’t overload tostadas: Too many toppings can make them hard to eat. Start light and add more if needed.
- Warm the shells: Place tostada shells in a 350°F oven for 2-3 minutes to make them extra crispy.
- Customize toppings: Lettuce, salsa, onions, avocado, or jalapeños all work great.
- Store leftover chicken filling and cilantro lime sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Assemble tostadas just before serving to keep shells crispy.
- Leftover chicken filling can also be used in tacos, burrito bowls, or quesadillas.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on December 19, 2015. It was updated with new images, step-by-step instructions, tips, techniques, storage instructions and FAQs in March 2026.
