Tasty Mini Chicken Tostadas Pan

As seen in Small Bites, Big Flavors.

Get a tray of these bite-sized tostadas ready in about 30 minutes. Start with street taco tortillas, bake till crisp, then load each one with a scoop of refried beans, juicy pulled chicken, and melty cheese. Put them back in the oven until the tops are golden. Finish off with chopped tomato, fresh cilantro, red onion, cool sour cream, and maybe some hot sauce. Dig in during dinner or serve as tasty snacks for a crowd, with a pop of color in every crunchy bite.

Barbara Chef
Created By Sasha
Last updated on Sat, 31 May 2025 13:51:03 GMT
Crunchy mini tostadas stacked with toppings and a dollop of white sauce. Save Pin
Crunchy mini tostadas stacked with toppings and a dollop of white sauce. | foodthingle.com

I love whipping up mini sheet pan tostadas when I need dinner fast. They’re super crunchy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor — and there’s barely any mess. You cook everything on one sheet which makes cleanup a breeze. We make these all the time for movie night or a chill build-your-own meal. Everyone can do their own thing.

The first go at these mini tostadas was during a game night with friends. We set up a big topping bar and it was a hit. Now this is part of our regular dinner list and great for laid-back get-togethers.

Tasty Ingredients

  • Cilantro leaves: Adds freshness and a pop of flavor. Just grab the soft leaves and ditch any limp bits
  • Vegetable or canola oil: Helps your tortillas turn out golden in the oven
  • Shredded cheese: Cheddar or Monterey Jack are awesome for melting. If you can, grab a block and shred it yourself
  • Sour cream: Makes everything creamy — just a little swipe on each tostada
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes: Slice ‘em small for sweet, juicy bites. Go for bright and firm ones
  • Shredded rotisserie chicken breast: Already cooked up, keeps things simple and the chicken juicy. Pick the juiciest bird in the store if you can
  • Hot sauce: Shake on your fave, mild or spicy — I’m into Cholula but anything goes
  • Street taco size corn tortillas: Small and sturdy (about 4 inches across), these bake up crisp and can hold lots of toppings. Get the softest pack you can find
  • Finely diced red onion: For crunch and zing. Pick one with shiny skin, not mushy
  • Refried beans: I use just under a full can for the perfect layer — smooth, salty, and yummy

Simple How-To

Add Your Toppings:
Top each crispy round with a dab of sour cream, a pinch of chopped onion, two bits of tomato, and some cilantro. Hit it with your favorite hot sauce right before serving
Final Bake:
Slide the pan in again for five or six minutes. Cheese gets gooey and everything’s hot and good
Prep the Pan:
Line your sheet pan with foil — it makes post-dinner cleanup a snap. Crank your oven up to 450°F
Cool and Flip:
Let the pan sit out for five minutes. This makes the shells crisp and way easier to pick up for filling
Add Beans, Chicken, and Cheese:
Turn the tortillas over, then slather each one with a scoop of refried beans, top with chicken, then add plenty of cheese
Bake the Tortillas:
Brush both sides of your tortillas with oil. Line them up on your sheet — they can touch. Bake for 9–10 minutes until they’re firm but not super brown
A tray of food with a white sauce on top. Save Pin
A tray of food with a white sauce on top. | foodthingle.com

I can never say no to tossing on extra toppings. It’s a dinner everyone gets to customize. My kids always sneak more cheese — it turns a regular meal into something everyone’s actually excited about.

How to Store

Make sure leftovers are fully cool, then keep them in a sealed container in the fridge. They’ll last up to three days. To make them crispy again, reheat in the oven or air fryer instead of the microwave.

Swaps & Variations

Try cooked turkey or ground beef if you want something different. Or keep it veggie with sautéed vegetables or more beans. Pinto or black beans work for chunkier filling. Vegan cheese and dairy-free sour cream taste just as awesome in here.

Ways to Serve

Serve minis as a party starter and let everyone pile on toppings. For a full dinner, toss out a green salad or some fruit. They’re also perfect with tortilla soup or Mexican rice on the side.

A tray of chicken tacos with tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese. Save Pin
A tray of chicken tacos with tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese. | foodthingle.com

About the Dish

Tostadas come straight from Mexican street food history, made to use up leftover tortillas. Traditionally they’re fried, but baking still gives you the flavor and a lighter bite. These minis are inspired by the colorful markets in Mexico, where every tostada is an excuse for more toppings.

Common Recipe Questions

→ Is it okay to swap the chicken for something else?

Sure, try cooked turkey, pork, or beef instead. Leftover rotisserie meats work fast and taste great.

→ Which tortillas should I use for this?

Go for small corn tortillas, about 4 inches wide, just like the street taco kind. They crisp up well and keep the serving size fun.

→ How do I stop the tostadas from being soggy?

Bake the plain tortillas first so they're crunchy before you add the toppings. Letting them cool a couple minutes helps them stay crispy, too.

→ What are some good toppings?

Try sour cream, chopped red onion, some cherry tomatoes, fresh cilantro, or a splash of your top hot sauce.

→ Can I make these ahead and reheat?

It's best to prep everything in advance, then wait to stack and bake them right before eating so they're still crisp and fresh.

Mini Tostadas Pan

Little crispy tostadas piled with cheese, juicy chicken, beans, and colorful extras. Awesome option for parties or quick weeknight bites.

Preparation Time
10 Minutes
Cooking Time
15 Minutes
Overall Time
25 Minutes
Created By: Sasha

Recipe Type: Appetizers & Snacks

Skill Level: Simple

Regional Style: Mexican

Output: 12 Number of Servings (12 mini tostadas)

Special Diets: No Gluten

What You'll Need

→ Base

01 About 10 cm wide, grab a pack of 12 mini corn tortillas
02 A few big spoonfuls (about 3 tablespoons) of vegetable or canola oil—just pour more if you need it

→ Filling

03 Open one can (almost 454 g) of classic refried beans, scoop out 450 g
04 Take rotisserie chicken breast and shred so you end up with about 2 cups—should weigh around 280 g
05 Roughly 2 cups of shredded cheese, either Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar (about 180 g total)

→ Garnish

06 Dollop on as much sour cream as you like, just start with 70 ml
07 Finely chop up some red onion—use at least 40 g or more if you want
08 Grab a handful of cilantro leaves, chop them up (about 10 g minimum)
09 Slice up 6 small cherry or grape tomatoes into little bits
10 Hot sauce is optional—just splash on whatever feels right

Steps to Follow

Step 01

Take each hot tostada and pile on some sour cream, a bit of onion, a couple tomato bits, and some cilantro. You can pass around hot sauce for folks to add as much as they want.

Step 02

Pop the sheet back in and bake for about 5 or 6 more minutes, until cheese is gooey and everything is nice and hot.

Step 03

Flip the tortillas. Smear on those refried beans, scatter chicken shreds all over, then cover with plenty of cheese.

Step 04

Let the tortillas hang out for 5 minutes after baking so they cool down enough to pick up.

Step 05

Get both sides of each tortilla slick with oil using the brush. Lay them out, snuggled up, on the foil-lined pan. Bake for about 9 minutes—they should firm up but don't let them turn super crispy yet.

Step 06

Cover a big baking sheet with foil for quicker cleanup. Set your oven to heat up to 230°C.

Additional Tips

  1. If you let the tortillas get too brown on the first bake, they'll crack and break, so keep an eye on them.
  2. For best results, grate your own cheese—it melts way better.

Essential Tools

  • One big baking sheet with a rim
  • Aluminum foil
  • A pastry brush

Allergen Information

Always verify ingredient labels for allergens and consult with a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has dairy (cheese, sour cream)

Nutrition Info (Per Serving)

These details are best used as an estimate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 164
  • Fat Content: 7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 11 g
  • Protein: 14 g