Black Bean and Chicken Tostadas use dried beans cooked in an Instant Pot. The flavor is pretty amazing (you can substitute canned beans if you like). For ease, chicken is seasoned with a pre-seasoned mix of spices from Mrs Dash. Broiling the onions and fresh jalapeño peppers warms them up just a little bit and takes away their “raw” taste. The garnishes are fresh and add great flavor.

Each person can customize their tostada according to their preferences. Hate tomatoes? Leave them out. Love cheese? Pile it on. Tostadas for the win!

Black Bean and Chicken Tostadas

1 pound chicken strips,
1 1/2 tablespoons Mrs. Dash Salt Free Southwest Chipotle Seasoning Blend
Instant Pot Black Beans (recipe below)
Corn tostadas
1 cup yellow onion, small dice
2 jalapeno peppers with seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
Cheese (cheddar cheese, or queso cheese for quesadillas, or Monterey Jack cheese)
Garnishes: shredded lettuce, chopped tomato, sliced green onions, diced avocado, sour cream, or cilantro.

Cut chicken in 1 ½-inch chunks. Season with Mrs. Dash Salt Free Southwest Chipotle Seasoning blend. Heat oil in skillet. Place chicken in skillet, cook until done. Remove from skillet. Shred with 2 forks. Set aside.

To assemble: Layer chicken, black beans, onions and jalapenos on tostada shell. Broil tostada at 400ºF until tostada begins to brown. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cheese. Broil cheese until melted. Remove from oven and top with desired garnishes. Serve. Makes 6 tostadas. Tip: To substitute canned black beans; rinse and use straight out of the can.

Instant Pot Black Beans

1 cup dried black beans (1 cup = 1/2 pound -Do not soak)
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon iodized salt
1/2 bay leaf
3 cups unsalted chicken broth

Spray instant pot with non-sick spray. Add all ingredients to Instant Pot.

Place lid on instant pot and lock. Place valve in sealing position. Press “pressure cook” button and choose “Hi pressure” Set timer for 25 minutes. Press start. (When Instant Pot pressurizes the timer will start.)

When 25 minute timer beeps, allow pressure to release naturally for at least 20 minutes (Don’t move the valve). After 20 minutes, turn valve to vent (quick release).

Total assembly and cook time: 5 minutes to assemble, 5 minutes for instant pot to pressurize, 25 minutes cook time, 20 minutes to naturally vent= 55 minutes.

Cooked beans can be stored in their liquid for 1 week in the refrigerator. Makes 3 cups cooked beans.

Published in The News & Neighbor on June 24, 2020.