Sweet Smoky BBQ Chicken Tostadas (Printable)
Crispy corn tostadas piled with sweet smoky BBQ shredded chicken and fresh Tex-Mex toppings.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (rotisserie or grilled)
02 - 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
→ Tostadas
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
# Directions:
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 thoroughly coated, about 5 minutes.
03 - Arrange warmed tostada shells on serving plates. Evenly divide the BBQ chicken mixture over each shell.
04 - Top each tostada with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, red onion, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro.
05 - Drizzle sour cream over each tostada. Add optional jalapeño slices and lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The combo of smoky BBQ sauce and honey creates a sticky glaze that clings to every strand of chicken in the most satisfying way.
- Crispy shells, creamy avocado, and cool sour cream mean every bite hits a different texture and temperature.
- It comes together in under 45 minutes, which makes it feel like a weekend treat on a random Tuesday.
02 -
- Do not skip warming the shells because cold tostadas taste stale and bend under the weight of the toppings.
- Assemble and eat right away, since even the sturdiest shell will eventually surrender to the sauce and become soft.
03 -
- Shred the chicken while it is still warm because cold chicken fights back and you will end up with uneven chunks.
- Taste your BBQ sauce before adding the honey, since some brands are already quite sweet and you do not want the dish to become cloying.