Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken Tostadas

What is a Tostada? I ask because I really didn’t know. Well, I knew but I didn’t know – does that make sense? It’s like listening to someone speak in your native language – the brain understands without thinking. I could make a Tostada without thinking, but if someone asked me to explain a Tostada, I’m not sure I could.

Let’s try, shall we? A Tostada is a hard-shell taco, only flat. No, that’s really not accurate. So I went in search of “professional” advice – just what the heck is a Tostada. According to Food Network: A tostada is a flat, crispy corn tortilla that is typically layered with mashed or refried beans, a protein, cheese and toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, salsa and avocado. In Spanish, the word Tostada means Toasted.

They went on to say: Think of a tostada as a flat taco with a blank canvas. Hum, I don’t know about you, but typically I don’t put mashed or refried beans on my tacos. Those are a side served with tacos. So I guess you simply top a flat, toasted tortilla however you like, and call it a tostada. Works for me.

But what about Picante? Isn’t Picante just a fancy name for Salsa? Well yes, and no. Picante is generally smoother than salsa. And, as it turns out Picante means Hot. So it’s a Hot Sauce. So why do they bottle it as either “mild” or “hot” – isn’t that redundant? Yeah, it is, but this is America, and most of us don’t know what Picante means, only that it’s Mexican and is good on tacos.

Now that we’ve had our vocabulary words for the day, let’s get in the kitchen and get to cooking, shall we? And if a Tostada is a flat taco, then this is pretty close to my slow-cooker chicken tacos, but without the lettuce. Enjoy! Oh, and don’t forget the margaritas! Happy Tuesday everyone!

Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken Tostadas
Shredded Chicken
4 boneless Chicken Thighs
3 tablespoons Taco Seasoning
1 cup Hot Picante Sauce

Place chicken thighs in a 5-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with taco seasoning. Top chicken with Picante Sauce, toss to coat and combine. Cover; cook on LOW setting for 4 hours, or until the chicken is very tender.

Remove chicken from the slow cooker to a bowl to shred. Once shredded, return chicken to the slow cooker and let simmer on HIGH, uncovered, for about 20 minutes for the juices to thicken.

Tostadas
2 cups Habanero Cheddar or other Hot Cheese Blend
4 firm Roma Tomatoes
8 Tostada Shells
3/4 cup Sour Cream, optional
3/4 cup Guacamole, optional

While the meat simmers, shred the cheese and chop the tomatoes. Set aside until ready to use.

When ready, top the tostada shells with the shredded chicken. Sprinkle with cheese. Place under the broiler just long enough for the cheese to melt.

Remove from broiler, top with tomatoes, sour cream and guacamole as desired. Serve with Margaritas and enjoy!

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