These cilantro lime chicken tostadas are bright, fresh and so good. The chicken is full of flavor and so juicy thanks to using the InstantPot for this quick and easy recipe. But the fresh lime juice and cilantro are the real star of the dish. This is perfect for any season or occasion.
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Kid friendly favorite
This is on my rotation of favorite recipes when my kids are home. Before I was a mom I would always say I’m never cooking two meals for dinner.
Well now I’m a mom and I know what its like to have to cook the kids something and then mine and my husbands dinner. But that’s what brings me to why I love making these! A few simple substitutions and its an easy dinner my kids love.
I like to call them selective vegetarians. So I leave off the chicken and ta-da, they eat them. Me and my husband get a well rounded, protein rich dinner too, that’s not pasta.
It all started when my husband went to Guatemala
I was so jealous he was in South America and I was sitting at home in Texas. So I started dreaming up recipes that I had never had before but with a tex-mex or South American flair to it.
I was looking through our kitchen we had corn tortillas, chicken, limes and cilantro. But I didn’t want just another taco. Those are a dime a dozen here in San Antonio. ( As a taco lover I’m in heaven so don’t get me wrong there.)
I settled on a tostada and my husband has been on me about the instant pot. He loves it. But he wishes we used it more. So why not combine the two tasks.
I threw it all in a bowl and started to marinate it, then tossed it into the pressure cooker. It was love at first bite. I ate these the whole time my husband was gone. They were that good.
The base chicken recipe would be amazing as fajitas, enchiladas or even tacos!
Equipment needed
A pressure cooker is pretty essential for this recipe. It seals in the flavor and moisture. We don’t like dry chicken around here.
Using the Instant Pot
How does a pressure cooker work?
The build-up of steam inside the Instant Pot creates a high-pressure environment — when the appliance reaches an optimal pressure point, a pressure valve lifts into place and steam is released through a vent on the appliance’s lid. That’s when the food’s cooking time begins. –NBC News
Pros: Things cook so fast!
You can do so many one pot meals.
Cons: Using a pressure cooker can be kind of scary. The first time I used it, I felt like I was the one under pressure.
If you don’t do it right it could take longer or worst case your whole dinner is garbage.
They are perfectly safe so don’t worry!
Ingredients
Limes
Cilantro
Chicken Thighs
Seasoning
Tostada Shells
Pico de Gallo
Cotija cheese
Refried beans
Instructions
First step is to assemble your ingredients.
Then start your marinade. Put all of the marinade ingredients into a bowl and make sure your chicken is well coated in it. Chill for one hour.
Next, you’ll place all of it in the pressure cooker on the chicken setting and it does the work for you! Your chicken thighs will be so tender they should fall apart.
Make Ahead
Does it freeze? You can freeze the chicken uncooked in the marinade or cooked.
Variations and Substitutions
If you don’t have Cotija or Oaxaca cheese near you, a shredded Mexican blend works just fine.
Prefer chicken breasts instead of thighs? I would go with 4 breasts in place of the 6 thighs.
What to serve with Chicken Tostadas
Serve with chips, quac, quest or rice and beans.
Top with: refried beans, cheese, guacamole, sour cream.
Tips & Tricks
You can make your own tostada shells in the oven or air fryer! Just use corn tortillas and a little cooking spray.
Air Fryer Tostada Shells– 400 ° for 3-4 minutes
Oven Tostada Shells– 400 ° for 5 minutes each side
Storing and Reheating
I would not recommend storing your tostadas assembled.
I store the chicken and toppings in air tight containers in the refrigerator and the shells in a ziplock bag in the pantry.
More Recipes
- Kentucky Oaks Lily Cocktail
- Cinnamon Streusel Banana Bread
- Bailey’s Salted Caramel Brownies
- Guinness Braised Short Ribs
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Cilantro Lime Chicken Tostadas
Equipment
- 1 pressure cooker
- 1 large bowl
Ingredients
Marinade
- 1 tbsp lime pepper
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp garlic salt
- 1 handful cilantro leaves and stems
- 3 small limes juiced
- 6 chicken thighs or 4 breasts
Chicken
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
Tostadas
- 1 package of tostada shells
- 1 can refried beans of your choice
- Cotija or Oaxaca Cheese
- Pico de Gallo or diced onion and cilantro
Instructions
Marinade
- Mix all of your ingredients for you marinade together in large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap.
- Chill in refrigerator for 1 hour.
Cook Chicken
- Place your chicken and all the marinade ingredients into your pressure cooker.
- Add one cup of chicken broth or water to your pressure cooker.Put on chicken or poultry setting. Make sure your pressure cooker is in the sealed position.
- Cook for about 20 minutes. It will take a little longer than 20 minutes due to building the pressure.
- Once your chicken is done, allow your pressure cooker to release naturally for 5 minutes. This allows the moisture to stay in the chicken.
- Once pressure is released, remove your chicken thighs and shred them.
Tostadas
- Grab your tostada shell, and layer with your selected toppings!I usually start with refried beans, chicken, pico and top with cheese.
Um, yes please! These look delicious. I love cilantro and I love lime but they are even more magical when used together. What a great idea to use the instant pot for the chicken too. Thanks again for the great recipe!! Looking forward to trying it!
Love this! I’m a huge fan of flavor combos and dishes like this 🙂
These are so cute and delicious sounding 😋
These look so delicious. I love tostadas. I am one of the weirdos that only likes cilantro in mini portions but I love lime! Cannot wait to try!