These Spicy Little Muffin Tin Chicken Tostadas are a great little party food that are fast to prepare and can be made ahead! I cut the rounds using an empty can then they are baked into cups using a muffin tin. Make them as spicy as you want…or not!
Mini Chicken Tostadas
There are so many Mexican things we can’t get here in Australia. Mexican cheeses – like Cotija. Chipotle was really only introduced here a few years ago, and even today you have to go to speciality stores to get it. (Though I do note that Harris Farms has Chipotle in Adobo which is my current flavour obsession!). We don’t even have canned green chilies here! At least, not the type to use in Mexican dishes.
Amongst the lengthy list of Mexican produce we can’t get here is tostadas. Which, actually, is probably a good thing because I have a lack of self control around deep fried crunchy goodness.
So I make my own tostadas, usually by baking tortillas. I know it’s not 100% authentic, but it’s easier than deep frying and you still get that yummy crunchy base to pile high with Mexican goodness. 🙂
These little babies are mini tostadas which I adore making when I’m doing a Mexican spread. They are really practical for entertaining because you can prepare everything in advance then it’s very quick to assemble to serve.
The tostadas cups are made by cutting rounds out of tortillas. I use an empty 400g/14oz can because I don’t have round cutters. The can is a perfect size to make shallow cups. 😉 You could of course use a round cutter!
These are filled with shredded chicken dressed with mayonnaise and jazzed up with plenty of jalapeños for a good kick and a squeeze of lime. Very simple to make. They are incredibly moorish, and you do need to be careful not to eat too many because they are quite filling!
Don’t hold back on the jalapeños! These are all about the fiery kick! And don’t forget the tequila shooters!! 🙂
– Nagi
Some more mini one-bite Appetizers!
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Quiche Toast Cups – mini quiche made with bread!
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Spicy Little Muffin Tin Chicken Tostadas
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 tortillas (flour or corn)
- Oil spray
Filling
- 1/4 cup whole egg mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup finely chopped canned jalapeño , drained (Note 1)
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lime juice (or more to taste)
- 1/2 cup sliced shallots/scallions (or 1/4 cup finely diced red onion)
- 2 tbsp finely diced coriander/cilantro stems
- 1 1/4 cups shredded cooked chicken (plain, unseasoned)
Garnish
- Coriander/cilantro leaves
- Diced avocado
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Cut out 10 rounds using a 7.5cm/3" round cutter OR 400g/14oz empty, clean can. You should be able to get 5 out of each tortilla.
- Mould into standard size muffin tins. Spray with oil, then bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Allow to cool in the muffin tin then set aside until required in an airtight container.
- Place all the Filling ingredients except the chicken in a bowl and mix to combine. Then add the chicken and toss gently to coat.
- To serve, divide the chicken filling between the tostada cups. Sprinkle with coriander/cilantro leaves and avocado.
Recipe Notes:

Nutrition Information:
These were a hit at a party I hosted. So easy and really delicious. I had a little bit of chicken leftover as I more than doubled the recipe – put it on a sandwich – a yummy sandwich filling too. Great recipe!
This was a recipe you posted 7 years ago – you’ve been going strong for a long time Nagi!!! Omg this is absolutely delicious. I’ll be doing these a lot I think! Thanks for another great recipe.
I love this recipe and I am going to tweek it and try to make some hot ones with cheese added. Thank you Nagi for all of your wonderful recipes you are the BOMB and we love Dozer too~!
Woo hoo!!! Thanks Nanette!! N x
I made these as an appetiser for Xmas and they were instantly devoured! Everyone loved them. Prepared everything separately the day before and assembled just before I served. Will be making this a lot! So delicious.
Hello Nagi, I am planning to make these for Christmas as an appetizer. Can the tostadas shells be made in advance? If so how many days before? I am currently finalizing my Christmas menu & are using many of your recipes as I also do for everyday meals. I don’t know what I did before I discovered your wonderful blog. Thanks Heidi
First, let me say you are adorable with a smile that could light up not just a room – you could light up an entire auditorium! Tried these and loved them. If you have the space you might try growing some different peppers, cilantro, etc. Thanks for the recipe.
Awww Tanya! Thank you so much for your lovely message!!! I am so glad you enjoyed these 🙂 Hope you had a fabulous weekend! N x
Hey Nagi,
I like your spirit. You are a go-getter to get things done especially cooking! These look absolutely fab ! Your family is lucky to have a great cook.
Betty
Thank you for the compliment Betty! N xx
I get so disappointed when I see gorgeous tex mex recipes and then realize I can’t get one of the ingredients here in Australia – at least not easily. So I love your creativity with the tostadas. And gorgeous photos as always 🙂
Thanks Caroline! So happy to hear the pain of a fellow Aussie re: Mexican staples!! 🙂
What a genius idea Nagi! These mini tostadas look so cute and delicious! Love the combination of flavors, pinned to try 🙂
Thanks Mira!! I love these – they are so moorish. I made three batches before I was happy with the photo and you would think I would get sick of them but I didn’t! I even had them for breakfast one day!! He he!
Thse look delicious, Nagi, and your food styling is superb!
Thank you so much Mel, you’re so kind!! 🙂
I so wish I had a big platter of these beside me right now so I could nibble while I work!
Btw I can’t believe that chipotle only made it to Australia a few years ago! I can’t imagine my life without it. 🙂
I know right? So frustrating!! 🙂
This looks absolutely amazing, Nagi. I can’t say that I have a problem with finding Mexican ingredients, given that I live in the States and was raised in California, land of amazing Mexican food. I wish I had an event coming up so that I can serve these cute tostadas!!
Thank you Connie, you’re so kind! 🙂
I love these chicken tostadas Nagi!! Look absolutely wonderful!!
Gloria
Thank you Gloria!! 🙂
This is the easiest Mexican food to eat. I’ve been known to wear a taco. I love, love, love Mexican food!
** Snort!! ** The thought of you with taco all over you…!! Just like me!! 🙂
I live in California and am lucky to have access to Mexican ingredients and foods. There are so many Mexican cuisines depending on where in Mexico the cooks come from. I love this recipe and I’ve put it on the list for my husband’s birthday party. He’ll love these tostada cups and so will everyone else! Thanks so much for something different to add to my recipe book.
Thank you for your wonderful comment Laurie! I hope you do make it for your husband’s birthday party!! 🙂
What a fun recipe for entertaining! I am hosting a few friends this weekend and this will be perfect. I might opt for a Corona with limes to serve on the side as it is an “afternoon” gathering and they need to be able to stumble on to the bus home safely… wink…wink… I know exactly what you mean about not being able to get the things you need to make tex mex dishes as it is the same way in Hong Kong. The green run of the mill Chinese chilli pepper does not have the same bite as a jalapeño pepper. Have a super weekend!
Aww, you might not have Mexican groceries but you more than make up for it with all those other incredible things you can get in HK that we can’t get here in Australia! I feel no pity for you! 🙂
This is my favourite kind of food. Love it and this recipe looks gorgeous. try Fiji market in Newtown for ingredients or Salt meats cheese have a few. Other than that there are a couple of online companies you can get mos Mexican ingredients here if you are desperate.
Oh wow, I haven’t heard of either of those places! I will definitely check them out! There is Firework Foods, I even drove out there but they don’t have any cheeses, nor do they have canned green chillies. But I certainly stocked up on chipotles!! 🙂
How fun are these! I love how simple they are and the flavors sound fantastic. Also the fact that they’re baked- I think it’s a good thing! So brilliant Nagi! And your photos are absolutely breathtaking, as always!
Thanks so much Allie, you are too sweet! 🙂
Not only do these look delicious but I bet they are fun to eat too!
Makes me want to have a party!!!
Thanks Linda! YES you should have a party!! 🙂
Nagi!!! Mini chicken tostadas! oh my gawd, I love these!!! and baking the tortillas in a mini muffin pan is brilliant!! love this!
Thanks Alice! I actually didn’t even know if you could GET mini tostadas in the US – doesn’t sound like you can? So even those in the US have to make their own mini tostadas?? 🙂
Nagi. I’m addicted to your blog. And the food. These little babies are perfect to add to my take a plate list and will wow the mob at this month’s event. Thank you
Thanks for your lovely words Meg! I have to say, this is a very convenient one for parties because you can make the filling and cups ahead then it’s super quick to assemble just before serving. I’ve taken this to parties too, very easily transportable! 🙂