Sweet Smoky BBQ Chicken Tostadas (Print Version)

Crispy corn shells piled with sweet smoky BBQ shredded chicken, fresh veggies, cheese and creamy sour cream.

# What You Need:

→ BBQ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded (about 12 oz)
02 - 1 cup smoky BBQ sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Tostada Shells

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange tostada shells on a baking sheet and warm for 5 minutes until crisp and fragrant.
02 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine shredded chicken, BBQ sauce, honey (or brown sugar), and smoked paprika. Stir continuously until the chicken is heated through and evenly coated, about 5 minutes.
03 - Place warmed tostada shells on serving plates. Divide the BBQ chicken evenly among the shells, spreading it into an even layer.
04 - Layer each tostada with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, sliced red onion, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and fresh cilantro.
05 - Drizzle sour cream over each tostada. Add jalapeño slices and a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired. Serve immediately while the shells are still crisp.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The honey and smoked paprika combo turns plain rotisserie chicken into something that tastes like it spent hours on a grill.
  • Everything comes together in under forty minutes which means you can pull this off on a random Tuesday without thinking twice.
02 -
  • Assemble and eat immediately because the sauce will soften the shell within minutes and you lose the signature crunch.
  • Do not skip warming the shells because cold tostadas taste stale and break into shards instead of holding together for that perfect bite.
03 -
  • Taste your BBQ sauce before adding honey because some brands are already plenty sweet and you do not want the chicken to taste like dessert.
  • Use two forks to pull the rotisserie chicken apart while it is still warm because cold chicken shreds into uneven chunks instead of tender threads.

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