I stumbled into making these Chicken Salad Tostadas one chaotic weeknight when all I had was leftover Mexican shredded chicken, a sad half-bag of corn tortillas, and some wilting cilantro.
Instead of surrendering to takeout (again), I got creative—and somehow ended up with the perfect combo of crunchy, creamy, fresh, and spicy.
What came together was basically a genius-level Mexican Style Chicken Salad layered onto crispy tostadas, topped with mashed avocado and good intentions.
It’s become my lazy-day favorite, way better than your usual Chicken Taco Salad or Taco Salad With Chicken, and honestly, it’s now my answer to every “what’s for dinner?” crisis.
Whether you call it Chicken Salad With Tostadas, Shredded Chicken Salad, or just the only reason you made it through Monday, this one’s a keeper.
Chicken Salad Tostadas
EQUIPMENT (PAID LINKS)
Ingredients
- 8 thin corn tortillas
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken rotisserie or canned works great
- 1 cup diced bell pepper
- ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
- 1 jalapeño diced
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup corn kernels fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or mayo or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 avocado mashed (with lime juice and salt, optional)
Instructions
- Bake the Tortillas: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spray both sides of each tortilla with cooking spray and lightly sprinkle with salt. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Keep an eye on them—they go from perfect to burnt in a flash.8 thin corn tortillas, Olive oil cooking spray
- Mix the Chicken Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, corn, Greek yogurt (or your preferred creamy base), honey, lime juice, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly coated.3 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 cup diced bell pepper, ⅓ cup finely diced red onion, 1 jalapeño, ¼ cup chopped cilantro, 1 cup corn kernels, ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon honey, 2 tablespoons lime juice, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Mash the Avocado: In a small bowl, mash the avocado. For extra flavor, you can stir in a splash of lime juice and a pinch of salt.1 avocado
- Assemble the Tostadas: Spread mashed avocado on each crispy tortilla. Spoon the chicken salad mixture generously over the top. Serve immediately for max crunch.
Chicken Salad Tostadas: Tips, Tricks & Swaps From Someone Who’s Made Them Way Too Many Times
Want to make Chicken Salad Tostadas like a total pro (or at least fake it convincingly)? I’ve made this recipe more times than I’ve done laundry this month—so here are my go-to secrets, shortcuts, and “oops-but-it-works” swaps that keep this dish on repeat in my kitchen.
🌮 Tortilla Hack: Don’t Fry, Just Bake
Listen, no one wants to deep fry at 6pm on a Tuesday. Spray your corn tortillas with olive oil and bake them at 425°F until golden and crispy. Less mess, less guilt, still totally delicious.
🍗 Rotisserie Chicken = Weeknight Hero
Shredding a hot rotisserie chicken with your bare hands feels dramatic, but it’s way easier (and juicier) than boiling your own. Bonus: it tastes like you planned this meal in advance.
🥑 No Avocado? No Problem-ish
Out of avocado? Shed a single tear, then mix a little Greek yogurt with lime and call it your “creamy base.” Or just skip it and double down on the chicken salad. The tostadas will still love you.
🌶️ Want Heat? Add It Like You Mean It
That jalapeño? Don’t be shy. Like it fiery? Toss in extra or sub with a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce. I’m a Valentina on everything kind of person, but you do you.
🧂 Season Like You’re on a Cooking Show
That dressing needs love. Add more salt, a little lime, maybe even an extra pinch of cumin. Taste as you go—pretend Gordon Ramsay’s about to judge you.
🌽 Corn Confession
Fresh corn is amazing. But if you use frozen or canned? You’re still crushing it. Just drain it well and don’t let the internet snobs tell you otherwise.
🧀 Not Traditional, but Cheese It Up
Crumbled cotija or shredded cheddar? Technically not part of a classic Mexican Chicken Salad, but if your soul says cheese, answer the call.
🥗 Salad, Tostada, or Straight from the Bowl
No tostadas? No problem. Eat it as a salad, throw it in a wrap, scoop it with tortilla chips, or just grab a fork and eat it straight out of the mixing bowl like a true kitchen rebel.
🕒 Make-Ahead Magic
The chicken salad keeps well in the fridge for a couple days, which makes this a meal-prep queen. Just don’t assemble the tostadas until you’re ready to eat—nobody likes soggy drama.
