Speedy Weeknight Chicken Tostadas with Chipotle Crema

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a quick tostada recipe that's proper lush? have you ever been struck with a craving for mexican food recipes but dreaded the faff? this tostada recipe is your answer.

It is packed with flavour, and so easy to make.

Brief Overview

The humble tostada, originating from Mexico, is basically a crispy tortilla canvas. This easy tostada recipe is dead simple. Ready in about 35 minutes, and feeds four hungry bellies.

Main Benefits

Want tostadas healthy ? loaded with lean chicken and fresh veggies, this is guilt-free deliciousness. these healthy chicken tostadas are perfect for a quick midweek meal.

What makes this recipe so special? the smoky chipotle crema, of course!

Speedy Weeknight Chicken Tostadas with Chipotle Crema Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:15 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 8 corn tortillas (6-inch/15cm diameter)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml)
• 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 (16-ounce/450g) can refried beans
• 1 tablespoon water (15 ml)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (120 ml)
• 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (15 ml)
• 1 teaspoon lime juice (5 ml)
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce (approx. 50g)
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (approx. 75g)
• 1/4 cup diced red onion (approx. 30g)
• 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese (approx. 30g)
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook until cooked through (internal temp of 165°F/74°C), about 6-8 minutes per side. Shred the chicken with two forks and set aside.
• Heat vegetable oil in the same skillet over medium heat. Fry the tortillas one at a time for 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. (Alternatively, bake tortillas on a baking sheet at 350°F/175°C for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway, for a healthier option).
• In a small saucepan, combine refried beans and water. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, chopped chipotle peppers, and lime juice.
• Spread a layer of refried beans on each tostada. Top with shredded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and queso fresco. Drizzle with chipotle crema and garnish with fresh cilantro. This is a simple tostada recipe anyone can follow!
• Enjoy your speedy weeknight chicken tostadas immediately!

Nutrition Facts

Calories:450

Fat:20g

Fiber:5g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:Mexican

Speedy Weeknight Chicken Tostadas

What You'll Need for Your Tostadas

Right, let's gather our bits and bobs, shall we? you'll need tortillas, obvs, plus some chicken for tostadas . don’t forget the refried beans and the ingredients for that amazing chipotle crema.

And of course, fresh toppings are a must!

Time to Cook the Chicken

First things first, let’s get the chicken cooked. heat up some olive oil in a pan. chuck in your chicken breasts seasoned with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder.

Fry until cooked through – about 6- 8 minutes per side. once cooled, shred with two forks. sorted!

Make Those Tortillas Crispy

Now for the fun part. either fry your tortillas in a bit of oil until golden and crispy , or bake them in the oven for a slightly healthier option.

I prefer frying, gives a better crunch, innit? don't overcrowd the pan when frying; fry them one at a time !

Assemble and Enjoy!

Warm your refried beans, whip up the chipotle crema, and pile everything onto your crispy tostada recipe base. Don’t be shy with the toppings, that's my tip!

Spice it Up

Fancy making this even more special? Swap the chicken for shrimp or black beans for a vegetarian twist.

Healthy Mexican Recipes and Nutritional Information

As mentioned, swap the ingredients for Healthy Mexican Recipes . Keep an eye on your specific amounts. Also, remember that these nutritional values are approximate.

Ingredients & Kit for a Cracking Tostada Recipe

Right, so you wanna make some chicken tostadas , eh? first, let's gather our bits and bobs. nothing too fancy, promise! i'll give you the us and metric measurements so no dramas there.

Main Ingredients: Let’s Get This Sorted!

Here's what you'll need for this Easy tostada recipe . Get the good stuff, yeah? Seriously, decent ingredients make ALL the difference.

• Tortillas: Eight corn tortillas (6-inch/15cm diameter). Go for the ones that smell proper corny, not like cardboard.
• Chicken: 1 pound (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Free-range if you can, it just tastes better.
• Oil: 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (30 ml) plus 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 ml).
• Refried Beans: One (16-ounce/450g) can refried beans, plus 1 tablespoon water (15 ml). Seriously, don't skimp on the beans!
• Sour Cream: 1/2 cup (120 ml). Full-fat tastes best.
• Chipotle Peppers: 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (15 ml). Adjust to your taste, yeah?
• Lime Juice: 1 teaspoon (5 ml). Freshly squeezed, of course!
• Veg: 1/2 cup shredded lettuce (50g), 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (75g), 1/4 cup diced red onion (30g).
• Cheese: 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta (30g). The good stuff, not that rubbery cheddar!
• Seasoning: 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, Salt and pepper.

Bangin' Seasoning

Now, the spices are key to making these Healthy Chicken Tostadas pop! Chili powder and cumin? Absolute musts.

For some mexican food recipes , a little garlic and onion powder adds a lovely depth. don’t forget salt and pepper! a dash of cayenne pepper? ooh, risky but good! if you don't have chipotle peppers, try some smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce.

Essential Kit

Right, what gear do you actually need ?

• Large skillet - for cooking the chicken.
• Small saucepan - for warming the beans.
• Mixing bowl - for the chipotle crema.
• Tongs - for flipping those tortillas.
• Baking sheet - if you wanna bake the tostadas (healthier option, innit?).

If you don't have a baking sheet, the grill will work too, if you are trying to make some tostadas healthy .

Honestly, i've even used a frying pan lid as a makeshift baking sheet. no judgement here!. no fancy equipment needed for this quick tostada recipe .

You can totally adapt!

Alright, love! let's get down to business and talk about how to make the best crispy tostada recipe , because honestly, who doesn't love a good tostada recipe ? forget the sad, soggy ones you might have had before.

We're going for maximum crunch and flavour here. it's a game changer for healthy mexican recipes . i'm talking proper mexican food recipes .

Prep Like a Pro: Your Tostada Toolkit

First things first, the mise en place , yeah? basically, get everything chopped and ready. dice your tomatoes, red onion, and shred that lettuce.

Nobody wants to be scrambling when the chicken's done, trust me.

Oh my gosh! time-saving tip : chop everything while the chicken's cooking. multitasking is key, innit? and listen up! safety reminder : always use a sharp knife on a stable surface.

We don't need any a&e trips, do we?

Building the Perfect Tostada, Step-by-Step

1. Chuck a bit of olive oil into a hot pan. season your chicken breasts with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

   Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165° f/ 74° c . shred that chicken! this is where the chicken for tostadas gets its flavour.

2. Warm up your refried beans with a splash of water in a small saucepan. Keep stirring so they don't stick. Nobody likes burnt beans.

3. Mix your sour cream with chipotle peppers and lime juice. Taste and adjust the spice. Want healthy chicken tostadas ? Use greek yogurt instead of sour cream!

4. Heat vegetable oil in the same pan. fry those tortillas for 1- 2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

   Drain on paper towels. alternatively, you can bake them at 350° f/ 175° c for 8- 10 minutes . it is a quick tostada recipe , trust me.

5. Slather those crispy tortillas with refried beans. Top with the chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and queso fresco. Drizzle with that gorgeous chipotle crema.

Pro Tips for Tostada Triumph

Honestly...don't overcrowd the pan when frying the tortillas. It lowers the oil temperature. You want that golden crispiness, not a soggy mess.

A common mistake? Overloading the tostada toppings ! Too many toppings makes them soggy. Keep it balanced, yeah?

You can totally cook the chicken and make the chipotle crema in advance. it is great for those busy weeknights when you need tostadas healthy .

Now go make the most amazing chicken tostadas ever!

Recipe Notes for Your Tostada Recipe

Alright, so you're about to tuck into my speedy weeknight chicken tostadas . ace! before you start, let's chew over some key points.

I always say, a little knowledge goes a long way, especially when mexican food recipes are on the cards!

Plating Like a Pro & Perfect Pairings

Let's be honest, presentation matters. Arrange your tostada toppings artfully. A little sprinkle of cilantro goes a long way. Fancy a challenge? Try stacking your Healthy Chicken Tostadas for added height.

For sides, I'm a sucker for classic Mexican rice. It just works, doesn't it? And don't forget the drinks! A chilled Mexican beer or a tangy margarita completes the picture.

Storage Secrets

Got leftovers? No worries, we've all been there. Keep the components separate. Stack them, ready for when you want to eat them again.

Store the cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days . same goes for the chipotle crema.

The crispy tostada recipe is best enjoyed fresh. but, if you must, store the fried tortillas separately in a cool, dry place.

Reheating the chicken? a quick zap in the microwave or a sauté in a pan does the trick. i'm not a fan of freezing tostadas healthy .

The texture just isn't the same.

Twists on the Classic

Want to mix things up? Go vegetarian! Replace the chicken for tostadas with seasoned black beans. It's a cracking Healthy Mexican Recipes alternative.

Feeling the heat? Use salsa verde instead of chipotle peppers. For a lighter version, swap sour cream for Greek yoghurt. That's what I call Easy tostada recipe !

Seasonal swaps? In summer, load up on fresh mango salsa. In winter, try a butternut squash and black bean filling. These Quick tostada recipe adaptions are worth it.

Nutrition Nuggets

Each serving of these chicken tostadas clocks in around 450 calories. you also get a good dose of protein, thanks to the chicken and beans.

They're also packed with fibre and vitamins from the veggies.

Just remember, nutritional info is approximate. Don't obsess, just enjoy!

Right then, that's your lot! i really hope you enjoy making this tostada recipe . remember, cooking should be fun! don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own.

Happy cooking, mate!