To make Texas tostadas nachos, lay tortilla chip scoops on a foil-lined baking sheet, fill each with about a tablespoon of shredded BBQ chicken or pork, and top with Mexican-style cheese. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, then leave them in the oven with the broiler off for 1 to 2 minutes until the cheese melts. Top with pico de gallo, guacamole, cilantro and jalapeños and serve with sour cream. It serves 8 in 10 minutes.
Tortilla chip scoops loaded with barbecue shredded chicken and cheese, then topped with your favorite fresh toppings come together in one easy sensational appetizer with this Smokey BBQ Texas Tostadas Nachos recipe. This is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser on Game Day!
If I could campaign for just one thing it would be, “Stress less, eat more nachos” …seriously nachos are amazing and the variety they have to offer is endless. And the biggest selling point for me is that they are stress free! We are just taking tortilla chips and loading them with all the marvelous things life has to offer.
Do you know of anyone that doesn’t like nachos? Anyone??
My mother-in-law has been making these Texas Tostadas Nachos for years. I believe my husband has been eating them since he was around my son’s age and constantly requests this recipe. Now, I don’t know if I can come anywhere close to all the nostalgic goodness my mother-in-law’s version brings, but I do think I’ve come pretty close here.
what are tostadas?
Tostada is the name given to various dishes in Mexico and other parts of Latin America which include a toasted tortilla as the main base of their preparation. The name usually refers to a flat or bowl-shaped tortilla that is deep-fried or toasted.
In this case, we are using tortilla chip scoopers that are already toasted and toasting them a bit further by putting them under the broiler, and finally topping with shredded barbeque chicken and cheese.
Why Texas? Well, because BBQ! You can use either shredded barbecue chicken or pork or simply use a smoky barbecue sauce for a meatless appetizer. Another great option for this recipe is to simply buy the premade packaged BBQ pulled chicken or pork. I highly recommend Aldi’s Seasoned Smoked Pulled Pork with Barbeque Sauce. It works very well with this recipe.
You won’t believe how quickly and easy this recipe comes together! Let’s get started.
Ingredients for Texas Tostadas Nachos
To make these easy Texas Tostadas, you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online.
Here’s what we are working with:
- cooked and shredded BBQ chicken or pork
- tortilla chips, we recommend Tostitos Scoops Chips for easy handling of the appetizer
- shredded Mexican style cheese
- pico de gallo – You can make this by combining diced tomato, onion, and chopped cilantro with the juice of one lime and then season with salt and pepper.
- guacamole
- jalapeño slices – These will give you a good amount of heat so they are completely optional. We usually make one half of the tostadas with jalapeños for us and then the other half without for the kids.
- sour cream for dipping
Substitutions
- BBQ Chicken or Pork:
- Substitute with a store-bought or homemade barbecue sauce for a meatless appetizer.
- Use jackfruit as a plant-based alternative, cooked and shredded
- Try using grilled vegetable like bell peppers and mushrooms for a vegetarian option.
- Tortilla Chips:
- Use baked tortilla chips for a lighter option.
- Substitute with pita chips or whole grain chips for a different texture.
- For a gluten-free option, use corn tortilla chips
- Shredded Mexican Style Cheese:
- Use a dairy-free cheese alternative for a vegan version.
- Substitute with cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese if preferred.
- Try using quest fresco for a milder flavor
- Pico de Gallo:
- Substitute with salsa or diced tomatoes if pico de gallo is unavailable.
- Use a fruit salsa, like mango or pineapple, for a sweet twist.
- Guacamole:
- Substitute with avocado slices if guacamole is not available.
- Use a creamy avocado dressing for a different texture.
How to get the perfect scoop onto a tortilla chip
To make these, we will be doing a lot of scooping. To make this process even more simplified, I highly recommend using an ice cream scooper! For each ingredient we add on, you can fill the scooper about a quarter of the way with the ingredient and dollop on.
How to Make Texas Tostadas
1. Line the pan. Preheat broiler. Lay out tortilla chip scoops on a baking sheet lined with tin foil.
2. Fill and broil. Scoop about a tablespoon of shredded BBQ chicken or pork (or simply bbq sauce) into each one and top each with a good amount of shredded Mexican style cheese blend. Place under broiler for 2-3 minutes; then turn-off broiler and allow to cook until cheese is melted; about 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the toppings. Remove from oven and top each tostada with Pico de Gallo and a dollop of guacamole. Sprinkle over cilantro onto the entire tray. If using jalapeño, place slices on top and serve with sour cream or any additional favorite topping.
Texas tostadas nachos for game day
- Feed a crowd: make one sheet pan per batch of 20 to 24 scoops and broil them one pan at a time so none burn.
- Prep ahead: shred the BBQ chicken or pork and make the pico de gallo and guacamole before guests arrive. Fill and broil the chips right before serving so they stay crunchy.
- Shortcut: store-bought BBQ pulled chicken or pork works great here.
- Mild and spicy: add jalapeños to half the pan for the spice lovers and leave the rest plain for the kids.
We hope you enjoy this simple Texas Tostadas appetizer recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes.
Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.
Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!
Texas tostadas nachos FAQs
Our Texas tostadas are tortilla chip scoops toasted under the broiler and loaded with shredded BBQ chicken or pork and cheese, then topped with pico de gallo and guacamole. The “Texas” is for the barbecue.
Yes. Shredded BBQ chicken or pork both work, including store-bought pulled meat.
Yes. Skip the meat and use a smoky barbecue sauce under the cheese.
Prep the meat and toppings ahead, but fill and broil the chips right before serving so they don’t get soggy.
If you love this recipe, check out…
- Nachos with Sweet Potato (Easy and Healthy Dinner Idea!)
- London Broil Pot Roast (Easy Slow Cooker Recipe!)
- Easy Chili Board With Cornbread (Perfect For Game Day!)
- Amazing Hot Mexican Corn Dip (Loaded with Meat and Veggies!)
- Easy Walking Tacos with Fritos (Frito Pie Recipe)
recipe video
The Best Texas Tostadas Nachos (with Smokey Barbecue Sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken or pork, cooked and shredded
- 1 cup barbecue sauce, store-bought or homemade
- 20-24 tortilla chips
- 1 cup shredded mexican style cheese
- 1 cup Pico de Gallo
- ½ cup guacamole
- fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- 1 jalapeño, sliced, optional
- sour cream , for dipping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat broiler. Lay out tortilla chip scoops on a baking sheet lined with tin foil.
- Scoop about a tablespoon of shredded BBQ chicken or pork (or simply bbq sauce) into each one and top each with a good amount of shredded Mexican style cheese blend. Place under broiler for 2-3 minutes; then turn-off broiler and allow to cook until cheese is melted; about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove from oven and top each tostada with pico de gallo and a dollop of guacamole. Sprinkle over cilantro onto the entire tray.
- If using jalapeño, place slices on top and serve with sour cream or any additional favorite toppings.
Equipment
Nutrition
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Kyle
These were so tasty and easy to make! Will be making these again