Zesty Chicken Tostada Salad with Crunchy Tortilla Strips
Enjoy a vibrant, healthful, and satisfying Zesty Chicken Tostada Salad that is sure to delight your taste buds! This dish features tender, shredded chicken seasoned to perfection, accompanied by black beans and a colorful medley of fresh vegetables. Served on a bed of crisp red leaf lettuce and topped with crunchy homemade tortilla strips, creamy reduced-fat sour cream, and zesty salsa, this salad is perfect for lunch or dinner. With everything you love about a classic tostada in a lighter, delicious form, this recipe makes three generous servings, ideal for sharing or meal prepping throughout the week.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Corn tortillas
4-5 (Cut into half and then into cross-wise scant-1/2 inch strips.)
Nonstick cooking spray
As needed (For spraying tortillas.)
Cooked chicken, diced
1 1/2 cups (Use 3/4 pound before cooking.)
Canned black beans
3/4 cup (Rinsed and drained.)
Chicken broth
1/3 cup (To be used in cooking the chicken mixture.)
Minced garlic
1 teaspoon (Fresh or pre-minced.)
Taco seasoning mix
1 teaspoon (To flavor the chicken mixture.)
Cumin
1 teaspoon (For added warmth and flavor.)
Red leaf lettuce
1 head (Torn into bite-sized pieces (about 6 cups).)
Red onion
1 small (Sliced into thin rings.)
Grape tomatoes
1 cup (Halved.)
Sliced jalapeños
3 tablespoons (Canned, adjust quantity for desired heat.)
Grated reduced-fat cheese
3/4 cup (Cheddar-jack or Mexican-blend recommended.)
Reduced-fat sour cream
As desired (For garnish.)
Salsa
As desired (For garnish.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Lightly spray one side of each corn tortilla with nonstick cooking spray. Cut each tortilla in half and then slice into thin strips, approximately 1/2 inch wide.
3
Spread the tortilla strips evenly on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, tossing the strips halfway through to ensure even baking, until they are light golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
4
While the tortilla strips are baking, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the diced cooked chicken, rinsed black beans, chicken broth, minced garlic, taco seasoning mix, and cumin.
5
Simmer the mixture for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the broth is fully absorbed, and the chicken is heated through. Drain any excess broth if desired.
6
In a large bowl, toss together the torn red leaf lettuce, sliced red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños until well combined.
7
To assemble the salad, divide the lettuce mixture evenly among three serving plates. Top each serving with a generous portion (about 3/4 cup) of the warm chicken mixture. Sprinkle with grated reduced-fat cheese and a handful of crispy tortilla strips.
8
Finally, garnish each salad with a dollop of reduced-fat sour cream and a spoonful of salsa to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Chicken Tostada Salad?
It is a vibrant, healthful dish featuring seasoned shredded chicken, black beans, fresh vegetables, and homemade crunchy tortilla strips on a bed of red leaf lettuce.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes three generous servings.
What is the oven temperature for the tortilla strips?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How do I prepare the corn tortillas for the salad?
Lightly spray them with nonstick spray, cut them in half, and then slice them into thin strips about 1/2 inch wide.
How long should the tortilla strips bake?
Bake them for about 8 minutes, tossing halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
What kind of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of diced cooked chicken.
What ingredients are used to season the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with minced garlic, taco seasoning mix, and cumin.
How long does the chicken mixture need to simmer?
Simmer the chicken and bean mixture for 10-15 minutes until the broth is fully absorbed.
What type of lettuce is recommended?
One head of red leaf lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces, is used for the base.
Which beans are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of rinsed and drained canned black beans.
What fresh vegetables are tossed in the salad?
The salad includes sliced red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced jalapeños.
What is the recommended cheese for this recipe?
Grated reduced-fat cheese, such as cheddar-jack or a Mexican-blend, is recommended.
How is the salad assembled?
Divide the lettuce mixture onto plates, top with the warm chicken mixture, sprinkle with cheese and tortilla strips, and add garnishes.
What garnishes are suggested?
A dollop of reduced-fat sour cream and a spoonful of salsa are suggested for garnish.
Can I meal prep this salad?
Yes, the components can be prepared ahead of time, making it ideal for meal prepping throughout the week.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe requires 1/3 cup of chicken broth to cook the chicken mixture.
How much taco seasoning is used?
One teaspoon of taco seasoning mix is used to flavor the chicken.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a healthful and lighter version of a classic tostada.
How many grape tomatoes do I need?
You will need 1 cup of halved grape tomatoes.
How do I ensure the tortilla strips are crispy?
Spray them with nonstick cooking spray and toss them halfway through the 8-minute baking process.
Can I adjust the heat level of the salad?
Yes, you can adjust the quantity of sliced jalapeños to achieve your desired level of heat.
What is the serving size for the chicken mixture per plate?
Each serving should be topped with about 3/4 cup of the warm chicken mixture.
Do I need to cook the chicken from scratch?
The recipe uses pre-cooked diced chicken, though you would start with 3/4 pound if cooking it fresh.
What is the purpose of adding chicken broth to the pan?
The broth helps heat the chicken through and allows the seasonings to distribute evenly during simmering.
Should the chicken mixture be drained?
You should drain any excess broth if desired after the simmering process.
What size should the red onion be?
The recipe calls for one small red onion, sliced into thin rings.
Is this a low-fat recipe?
Yes, it uses reduced-fat cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, and nonstick spray to keep it lighter.
How much garlic is included?
One teaspoon of minced garlic is used.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
Yes, for the best texture and flavor, serve the salad immediately after assembly.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken, salad, tostada, healthy, low-fat, dinner, meal prep, and mexican cuisine.