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Chicken Tostadas with Radish Slaw

These chicken tostadas with radish slaw offer a vibrant explosion of Mexican-inspired flavours, perfect for a fresh and satisfying dinner. The chicken thighs are slowly simmered in a zesty citrus and achiote marinade until tender enough to shred, creating a deeply savoury base. Topped with a crisp, peppery radish and coriander slaw, these toasted tortillas provide a wonderful contrast in textures, from the crunch of the base to the creamy finish of sliced avocado.

As a high-protein dish, this recipe is an excellent choice for a nutritious midweek meal that doesn't compromise on taste. The use of fresh lime and orange juice brings a bright acidity that balances the richness of the cheese and fried tortillas. Serve these at your next casual gathering or family supper for a colourful, homemade feast that everyone will enjoy.

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Ingredients for Chicken Tostadas with Radish Slaw

  • fresh orange juice, 160ml (150ml /150 ml)

  • fresh lime juice, 3 tablespoons

  • achiote paste, 3 tablespoons

  • yellow onion, 1 small, chopped

  • garlic, 2 cloves, chopped

  • dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoons

  • boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 900g (1 kg)

  • kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

  • radishes, 375g (about 18) trimmed, halved, and thinly sliced

  • spring onions, 2, thinly sliced

  • fresh coriander, 1/3 cup (15g /15 g) chopped

  • fresh lime juice, 1 tablespoon

  • corn oil, for frying

  • corn tortillas, 12, each 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter

  • cotija cheese, 90g (90 g), crumbled

  • avocados, 2 large, halved, pitted, peeled, and sliced

To prepare the chicken, in a heavy Dutch oven, stir together the orange juice, lime juice, and achiote paste until the achiote paste is smooth. Add the onion, garlic, and oregano and mix well. Add the chicken thighs and turn to coat evenly. Sprinkle the chicken with salt.

Cover, place over medium heat, bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is opaque throughout when pierced with a knife tip, about 40 minutes. Uncover and continue to simmer until the sauce is very thick and the chicken begins to fall apart and catch on the bottom of the pan, about 10 minutes.

Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, then shred the chicken. Season with salt and pepper.

To make the radish slaw, in a small bowl, combine the radishes, spring onions, coriander, and lime juice and toss to mix. Season with salt.

Pour oil to a depth of 1 inch (2.5 cm) into a deep, heavy frying pan and warm over medium-high heat until almost smoking. One at a time, add the tortillas and cook, turning once with tongs, until crisp and golden, 1-2 minutes. As each tortilla is ready, transfer it to paper towels to drain, then sprinkle lightly with salt.

Arrange 2 tortillas side by side on each individual plate. Top the tortillas with the chicken, dividing it equally, and then spoon the radish slaw evenly over the chicken. Top the tostadas evenly with the cheese and the avocado slices and serve.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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