Sweet Smoky BBQ Chicken Tostadas (Printable)

Crispy tostadas loaded with sweet smoky BBQ chicken, fresh veggies, and creamy toppings for a Tex-Mex gathering favorite.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken & Sauce

01 - 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
02 - 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce
03 - 1 tablespoon honey
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

→ Tostadas & Toppings

06 - 8 small corn tostada shells
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
10 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1 avocado, diced
12 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
14 - 1 lime, cut into wedges
15 - Salt and pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or leave ungreased.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken, smoky BBQ sauce, honey, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Stir until the chicken is evenly coated and well incorporated.
03 - Arrange the corn tostada shells on the prepared baking sheet. Layer each shell with black beans first, followed by a generous spoonful of the BBQ chicken mixture, and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
04 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the edges of the tostada shells are lightly toasted.
05 - Remove the tostadas from the oven. Immediately top each one with quartered cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced avocado, and freshly chopped cilantro.
06 - Drizzle sour cream or Greek yogurt over each tostada. Squeeze fresh lime juice on top and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately while the shells are still hot and crispy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The sweet smoky combination on a crunchy shell is genuinely addictive and impossible to stop eating.
  • Everything comes together with a rotisserie chicken so weeknight cooking feels effortless.
02 -
  • Do not skip preheating the oven because a cold start leaves the shells soft and chewy instead of crackling crisp.
  • Dicing the avocado right before serving prevents browning and keeps the presentation looking fresh and vibrant.
03 -
  • Warm the BBQ sauce slightly before mixing it with the chicken so it coats more evenly and absorbs faster.
  • Arrange the toppings in rows across the tostada instead of piling them in the center for better structural integrity.

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