Introduction

BBQ Chicken Tostadas are a quick and flavorful meal perfect for any day of the week. Crispy tostada shells topped with saucy shredded chicken and melted cheese make a crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to customize.

BBQ Chicken Tostadas Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

8 tostada shells (or 8 corn tortillas, brushed lightly with olive oil and baked for 3-5 minutes per side, until crispy)
3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
1 1/2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce (divided)
2 cups shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
3 green onions, very thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Arrange the tostada shells on two rimmed baking sheets.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken. Pour 1 cup of the barbecue sauce over it and stir to coat completely, setting aside ½ cup of the sauce.
Step 3: Divide the sauced chicken evenly over the tostada shells. Top each with about ¼ cup of shredded cheese.
Step 4: Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Remove from the oven and drizzle the remaining ½ cup of barbecue sauce on top. Sprinkle with thinly sliced green onions, if using, before serving.

Tips & Variations

Try using different cheeses like pepper jack for a little heat or a smoky cheddar for extra flavor.
For added crunch, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro or crushed tortilla chips on top after baking.
Use rotisserie chicken to save time or cook your own chicken with simple seasonings.

Storage

Store leftover tostadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to retain crispiness. Avoid microwaving to keep shells from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these tostadas ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken and barbecue sauce mixture in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble and bake the tostadas just before serving to maintain crispiness.

What can I use if I don’t have tostada shells?

Lightly brush corn tortillas with olive oil and bake them for 3-5 minutes per side until crisp to create homemade tostada shells.

BBQ Chicken Tostadas Recipe

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4.5 from 91 reviews

These BBQ Chicken Tostadas are a quick and flavorful twist on traditional tostadas, featuring crispy shells topped with shredded chicken coated in tangy barbecue sauce, melted cheese, and a fresh sprinkle of green onions. Perfect for a casual meal or game day snack, this recipe combines smoky and savory flavors with a satisfying crunch.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Yield: 8 tostadas 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Tostada Shells

8 tostada shells (or 8 corn tortillas, brushed lightly with olive oil and baked for 3–5 minutes per side, until crispy)

BBQ Chicken

3 cups cooked and shredded chicken
1 1/2 cups of your favorite barbecue sauce, divided

Toppings

2 cups shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
3 green onions, very thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange the 8 tostada shells on two rimmed baking sheets to prepare for baking.
Mix the chicken with barbecue sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of cooked and shredded chicken with 1 cup of barbecue sauce, reserving 1/2 cup for later. Stir thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly with the sauce.
Assemble the tostadas: Evenly distribute the barbecue-coated chicken onto each tostada shell, then top each with about 1/4 cup of shredded cheese, ensuring a nice layer on each.
Bake: Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake for 6 to 8 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Finish with sauce and garnish: Remove the tostadas from the oven, drizzle the remaining 1/2 cup barbecue sauce over the top, and sprinkle with thinly sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

If you don’t have tostada shells, you can easily make your own by baking corn tortillas brushed with olive oil until crispy.
Feel free to customize the cheese based on your preference—mozzarella provides a mild melt, while cheddar and Monterey Jack add sharper flavors.
For extra heat, add a sprinkle of jalapeño slices or hot sauce on top before serving.
Leftover tostadas can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.

Keywords: BBQ chicken tostadas, shredded chicken tostadas, barbecue sauce recipes, quick tostada recipes, baked tostadas, easy chicken recipes