This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
These Chicken Tostadas are a perfect weeknight dinner. You’ll love the crispy shells, juicy chicken, and flavorful toppings!
Featured with this recipe
These Chicken Tostadas have all the makings of a perfect weeknight dinner. First, you prep the chicken in the crock pot so it cooks all day and gets juicy and tender. Then, when you are ready to eat just toast the tostada shells for a few minutes and add your toppings! Get creative with toppings and let each person in your family make their own combinations.
Ingredients in Chicken Tostadas
- Shredded Chicken – for this recipe we like to cook the chicken in the crock pot, but you can use rotisserie chicken or leftover shredded chicken breasts or chicken thighs.
- Corn Tortillas
- Oil
- Toppings – use your favorite taco toppings on these tostadas – see below for ideas!
Topping Ideas
- Refried Beans
- Black Beans
- Shredded Iceberg Lettuce
- Avocado
- Fresh Cilantro
- Salsa
- Pico De Gallo
- Sour Cream
- Cotija Cheese or Queso Fresco
- Shredded Cheese
- Pickled Red Onions
- Jalapeños
- Lime Wedges/Fresh Lime Juice
Easy Crock Pot Shredded Chicken
One of the major advantages of preparing chicken in a crock pot is the tenderness and flavor that the slow cooking process imparts. As the ingredients simmer together over low heat for hours, the chicken absorbs the savory seasonings and juices and becomes irresistibly juicy and tender – perfect for topping your tostadas. Layer chicken breasts, taco seasoning (a mix of cumin, garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and chili powder), onion, jalapenos, salsa, and Rotel in the crock pot and let the chicken cook for a few hours.
Homemade Tostada Shells
You can absolutely use store-bought tostada shells, but if you have the extra time, the homemade ones are worth it! They take these Chicken Tostadas to the next level. Just line a rimmed baking sheet with foil, brush each side of each tortilla with oil, and bake for a few minutes on each side.
Recipe Tip
Cover your baking sheet in foil for easy cleanup!
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Tostadas
You certainly ~can, but my family always just picks our chicken tostadas up with our hands! The shell should be crisp enough to stand up under the weight of the toppings. You can always pick up anything that falls off with a fork!
Tostadas are fried or baked corn tortillas! So, they are the same but corn tortillas are soft.
Tostadas are hard and crispy because they are either fried or baked.
Read Next: 35+ Easy Family Dinner Ideas
What to Serve with Chicken Tostadas
How to Make Chicken Tostadas
Chicken Tostadas
Video
Equipment
- Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (1 packet, use GF seasoning to make gluten-free)
- 1/2 onion diced
- 2 jalapeños diced and seeds removed
- 16 ounces salsa
- 1 15 ounce can of diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 6 corn tortillas
- coconut oil or other neutral oil
Topping Ideas
- refried beans
- cotija cheese
- fresh lime
- pickled red onions
- cilantro
- jalapenos
- sour cream
- salsa
- diced avocado
- hot sauce
Instructions
- Spray the bottom of the crockpot with cooking spray. Place chicken breasts, taco seasoning, onion, jalapeños, salsa, and diced tomatoes with green chilis into the pot.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken, shred it with two forks, and put it back into the pot. Stir to combine it with the sauce.
- While the chicken is cooking, or when you are getting ready to serve, preheat the oven to 425℉. Cover a pan in foil and place the tortillas on top. Brush each side of each tortilla with a little bit of oil.
- Bake for 5 minutes on one side, then flip and bake for another 2-3 minutes or until the tortillas become crispy.
- Top each tostada with chicken and the toppings of your choice.
Notes
- This shredded chicken freezes great! Keep in in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Nutrition Facts do not include toppings.
- You can use frozen chicken breasts but the cook time will be more like 4-6 hours on high.
