Chicken Tostadas with Refried Beans and Pico de Gallo
Why this recipe works
- Crunchy and fresh: Crisp tostada shells, creamy beans, tender shredded chicken, lettuce and avocado create clear texture contrast in every bite.
- Fast cooking: Thinly sliced chicken thighs cook quickly, then shred easily once coated with salsa verde.
- Bright finish: Lime juice and salsa verde cut through the richness of the beans, avocado, sour cream and cheese.
Get the most out of this recipe
Adjust the heat
- For a milder tostada: Use less ancho chilli powder and choose a mild salsa verde.
- For more heat: Add extra ancho chilli powder or finish with a hotter salsa before serving.
- Keep it balanced: Use lime, sour cream and avocado to soften the chilli warmth without making the topping taste flat.
Ingredient notes
- Use firm-ripe avocado: Choose avocado that gives slightly but still slices cleanly, so it holds its shape on the tostadas.
- Queso fresco: Queso fresco adds a salty, lightly creamy finish; crumble it over at the end rather than warming it.
- Ancho chilli powder: Ancho brings gentle smokiness and mild heat, making it a good match for the salsa verde and lime.
Make-ahead tips
- Keep components separate: Store the chicken and beans separately from the tostada shells, lettuce, avocado and dairy toppings.
- Reheat before assembling: Warm the chicken and beans gently in a frying pan until piping hot, then build the tostadas with the fresh toppings.
- Assemble at the last minute: Tostada shells soften quickly once topped, so build them just before serving for the best crunch.
Serving ideas
- Add a simple side: Serve with a crisp cabbage slaw, corn salad or rice if you want to make the meal more substantial.
- Finish with lime: Offer lime wedges at the table so each tostada can be brightened just before eating.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice the chicken thighs into thin strips. In a bowl, toss with the ground cumin, ancho chili powder, fine sea salt, the juice of half the lime, and 1 tbsp salsa verde.
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes, turning, until browned and cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in 2 tbsp salsa verde to coat the chicken. Take off the heat and shred the chicken with two forks in the pan.
- Warm the refried beans in the same pan over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring, until loosened and hot. If they seem very thick, stir in 1 tbsp water from the tap to make them spreadable.
- Shred the romaine lettuce. Halve, stone and slice the avocado, then squeeze over a little of the remaining lime juice to keep it bright.
- Spread the warm refried beans over the tostada shells. Top with the shredded chicken, romaine lettuce, avocado, and crumble over the queso fresco.
- Dollop over the sour cream and spoon on the remaining salsa verde. Serve straight away with the remaining lime cut into wedges for squeezing.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the tostada shells crisp by assembling just before serving, and spread the beans in a thin, even layer.
- If cooking for someone vulnerable, make sure the chicken is piping hot all the way through before shredding and serving.
Substitutions
- Replace chicken thighs with chicken breast for a leaner topping; cook just until done so it stays juicy.
- Replace sour cream with greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier finish.
- Replace romaine lettuce with iceberg lettuce for extra crunch.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Store the cooked chicken and refried beans separately in airtight containers in the fridge. Reheat the chicken and beans in a frying pan over low heat until piping hot, then assemble with fresh romaine lettuce, avocado, queso fresco, sour cream, salsa verde and tostada shells.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 25min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Mexican
-
Allergens:
Milk
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