Mexican tostadas de pollo are a delightful and crispy Mexican dish that brings a burst of flavors with every bite. Perfect for family dinners or gatherings, these tostadas combine the rich tastes of beans, chicken, and fresh toppings, making for an irresistibly delicious meal.
Photos of Mexican Tostadas De Pollo Recipe
One ingredient that might not be commonly found in every home is pork fat. If you can't find pork fat at your local supermarket, lard is a great alternative. Additionally, ensure you get corn tortillas rather than flour tortillas for the authentic texture and flavor of this dish.
Ingredients For Mexican Tostadas De Pollo
corn tortillas: Essential Mexican flatbreads made from maize dough, providing the base for tostadas.
mashed beans: Refried or mashed beans add a creamy, flavorful layer to the tostadas.
pork fat: Used for frying beans, adding rich flavor.
onion: Adds a sharp, savory note to the fried beans.
chicken: Shredded, cooked chicken provides protein and substance.
lettuce: Fresh, shredded lettuce adds a crisp and refreshing element.
sour cream: Creamy, tangy topping to balance the flavors.
crumbled fresh cheese: Adds a salty and savory finish to the tostadas.
One reader, Barbey Garcia says:
This Mexican tostadas de pollo recipe is fantastic! The crispy tortillas paired with flavorful mashed beans and tender chicken create a perfect bite. The fresh lettuce, creamy sour cream, and crumbled cheese add delightful textures and flavors. A must-try for any Mexican food lover!
Techniques Required for Making Mexican Tostadas de Pollo
How to deep-fry tortillas: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the tortillas in the oil and fry until they are golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
How to fry mashed beans: In a pan, heat pork fat over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until translucent. Add the mashed beans and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture becomes solid and cohesive.
How to shred chicken: Cook the chicken until fully done, then use two forks to pull the meat apart into thin, shredded pieces.
How to crumble fresh cheese: Use your hands or a fork to break the fresh cheese into small, crumbly pieces.
How To Make Mexican Tostadas De Pollo
Get that extra crunch when you fry your tortillas for this meaty and delicious tostadas recipe. It’s then topped with beans and shredded chicken. Yummy!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 12corn tortillas
- 1 ½cupsmashed beans
- 2tsppork fat
- 3tsponionchopped
- 2cupschickenshredded
- 1cuplettucechopped
- 1cupsour cream
- ½cupcrumbled fresh cheese(Oaxaca or Cotija)
Instructions
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Deep-fry tortillas in vegetable oil until crispy. Then, fry mashed beans in a pan with pork fat and chopped onions until a solid mixture is formed.
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Spread the mashed beans all over the tortillas from one side only.
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Top beans with the shredded chicken, lettuce, sour cream, and cheese (in that order).
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Plate and serve.
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Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 678.45kcal
- Fat: 45.38g
- Saturated Fat: 22.52g
- Trans Fat: 1.06g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 12.53g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.00g
- Carbohydrates: 33.50g
- Fiber: 5.85g
- Sugar: 7.77g
- Protein: 36.44g
- Cholesterol: 139.70mg
- Sodium: 995.50mg
- Calcium: 817.46mg
- Potassium: 627.50mg
- Iron: 2.47mg
- Vitamin A: 410.12µg
- Vitamin C: 13.76mg
Pro Tip for Perfecting Mexican Tostadas de Pollo
To ensure your tortillas are perfectly crispy, make sure the vegetable oil is hot enough before you start frying. You can test this by dropping a small piece of tortilla into the oil; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready. Fry the tortillas in small batches to maintain the oil temperature and avoid overcrowding the pan.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Tostadas de Pollo
Prepare ingredients in advance: Cook and shred the chicken ahead of time. You can also chop the onions and lettuce the day before.
Use pre-made tortillas: Save time by buying pre-made corn tortillas instead of making them from scratch.
Microwave beans: Instead of frying, heat the mashed beans in the microwave with pork fat and onions for a quicker option.
Assemble in batches: Lay out all the tortillas and spread the beans on each one before adding the other toppings.
Substitute Ingredients For Mexican Tostadas De Pollo Recipe
corn tortillas - Substitute with flour tortillas: Flour tortillas can be used if you prefer a softer texture or if corn tortillas are not available.
mashed beans - Substitute with refried beans: Refried beans offer a similar consistency and flavor profile, making them a great alternative.
pork fat - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil is a healthier option and still provides the necessary fat content for cooking.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and can be used to achieve a similar taste.
chicken - Substitute with turkey: Turkey provides a similar texture and can be used as a leaner alternative to chicken.
lettuce - Substitute with cabbage: Cabbage offers a similar crunch and can be used if lettuce is not available.
sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture, with added health benefits.
crumbled fresh cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese has a similar crumbly texture and can be used as an alternative.
Plating Ideas for Mexican Tostadas de Pollo
Serve smaller portion sizes: Present the tostadas in a more refined, bite-sized version to enhance the dining experience. Use a round cutter to create smaller corn tortillas before frying, ensuring each piece is perfectly crisp.
Use decoration: Garnish the plate with a delicate drizzle of sour cream and a sprinkle of finely chopped fresh herbs like cilantro. This adds a touch of elegance and a burst of color.
Layer with precision: Carefully spread the mashed beans evenly on each tortilla, ensuring a smooth and consistent layer. Top with finely shredded chicken, followed by a neat arrangement of lettuce.
Highlight textures: Emphasize the contrast between the crispy tortilla and the creamy sour cream. Add a small dollop of sour cream on top of the lettuce and finish with a sprinkle of crumbled fresh cheese.
Add a touch of luxury: Incorporate a few edible flowers or microgreens to elevate the visual appeal and add a hint of sophistication to the dish.
Use a minimalist approach: Arrange the tostadas on a large, white plate with ample negative space to draw attention to the intricate details and vibrant colors of the ingredients.
Create height: Stack the tostadas slightly off-center to create a sense of height and dimension, making the dish visually striking and more appealing to the eye.
Incorporate complementary flavors: Serve with a small side of salsa verde or pico de gallo to add a burst of freshness and acidity, balancing the richness of the pork fat and sour cream.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Tostadas de Pollo
Deep fryer: Used to deep-fry the tortillas until they are crispy.
Pan: Utilized to fry the mashed beans with pork fat and chopped onions.
Spatula: Helps in spreading the mashed beans evenly over the tortillas.
Tongs: Essential for handling the tortillas while frying to avoid burns.
Knife: Needed for chopping the onions and shredding the chicken.
Cutting board: Provides a surface for chopping onions and shredding chicken.
Mixing bowl: Used to hold and mix the shredded chicken and other toppings if needed.
Plate: For plating and serving the tostadas.
Paper towels: To drain excess oil from the fried tortillas.
Spoon: Useful for spreading sour cream and sprinkling cheese over the tostadas.
Storage and Freezing Instructions for Tostadas de Pollo
- Let the tostadas cool completely before storing or freezing to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- To store leftover tostadas, place them in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture. They can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the tostadas by wrapping each one individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place the wrapped tostadas in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing.
- Frozen tostadas can be stored for up to 2 months.
- To reheat frozen tostadas, unwrap them and place them on a baking sheet in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- Alternatively, you can reheat frozen tostadas in the microwave by placing them on a microwave-safe plate and heating them in 30-second intervals until warm and crispy.
- It's best to store the toppings separately from the tostadas to maintain their texture and freshness. Keep the shredded chicken, lettuce, sour cream, and cheese in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- When ready to serve, assemble the tostadas with the reheated base and fresh toppings for the best taste and texture.
How To Reheat Leftover Tostadas
To reheat leftover mexican tostadas de pollo, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the tostadas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the tostadas are crispy and heated through. This method will help maintain the crispiness of the tortillas while warming up the toppings evenly.
Alternatively, you can use a toaster oven to reheat the tostadas. Set the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the tostadas directly on the rack. Heat for 3-5 minutes, or until the tostadas are crispy and the toppings are warm. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
If you prefer a quicker method, you can use a microwave to reheat the tostadas. Place the tostadas on a microwave-safe plate and heat them on high power for 30-45 seconds. However, keep in mind that the tortillas may lose some of their crispiness in the microwave.
For a crispy and flavorful reheating option, you can also reheat the tostadas in a skillet or griddle. Heat a small amount of vegetable oil or butter in the skillet over medium heat. Place the tostadas in the skillet and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until they are crispy and the toppings are warm.
If you have stored the toppings separately from the tortillas, you can reheat the toppings in a microwave or on the stovetop before assembling the tostadas. This will help prevent the tortillas from getting soggy while reheating.
Interesting Trivia About Mexican Tostadas de Pollo
A traditional component of Mexican tostadas de pollo is the use of corn tortillas, which are deep-fried until crispy, providing a crunchy base for the toppings.
Budget-Friendly Mexican Tostadas: Is This Recipe Economical?
This Mexican tostadas de pollo recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like corn tortillas, mashed beans, and chicken are affordable and widely available. The use of pork fat and onion adds flavor without significantly increasing costs. Toppings such as lettuce, sour cream, and crumbled fresh cheese are also reasonably priced. Overall Verdict: 8/10. Approximate cost for a household of 4 people: $15-$20 USD.
Is This Mexican Dish Healthy or Not?
The Mexican tostadas de pollo recipe, while delicious, has some elements that may not be considered healthy. The deep-frying of the tortillas and the use of pork fat in the beans add significant amounts of unhealthy fats to the dish. Additionally, the sour cream and cheese toppings contribute to the overall fat and calorie content.
However, the recipe does include some nutritious ingredients, such as:
- Beans, which are a good source of protein and fiber
- Chicken, another lean protein source
- Lettuce, which provides vitamins and minerals
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Instead of deep-frying the tortillas, brush them with a small amount of olive oil and bake them until crispy
- Replace the pork fat with a healthier alternative, such as a small amount of olive oil or vegetable broth, when frying the beans
- Opt for low-fat or non-fat sour cream to reduce the overall fat content
- Use a reduced-fat cheese or sprinkle a smaller amount of full-fat cheese to minimize the calorie and fat intake
- Add more vegetables to the toppings, such as diced tomatoes, onions, or bell peppers, to increase the nutrient density of the dish
- Consider using whole wheat or multigrain tortillas for added fiber and nutrients
Editor's Opinion on This Mexican Tostada Recipe
This recipe for Mexican tostadas de pollo is straightforward and authentic, capturing the essence of traditional flavors. The combination of crispy tortillas, savory mashed beans, and tender chicken creates a delightful texture contrast. The addition of fresh lettuce, creamy sour cream, and crumbled cheese adds layers of freshness and richness. However, consider adding a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro for an extra burst of flavor. Overall, it's a delicious and satisfying dish that is sure to please.
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Why trust this Mexican Tostadas De Pollo Recipe:
This recipe for Mexican tostadas de pollo is a delightful blend of authentic flavors and textures. The crispy corn tortillas paired with the rich, savory mashed beans and tender shredded chicken create a perfect harmony. Topped with fresh lettuce, creamy sour cream, and crumbled fresh cheese, each bite is a burst of deliciousness. The use of pork fat and onions in the beans adds depth and authenticity to the dish. Trust this recipe for a genuine taste of Mexican cuisine that is both easy to prepare and incredibly satisfying.
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