Description
Crisp corn tortillas topped with grilled Cajun chicken, black bean and corn salsa, chipotle aioli, and queso fresco. A make-ahead handheld for game day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the black bean corn salsa:
- 2 cups black beans, cooked and drained
- 1 cup corn, roasted
- 1 cup red onion, small diced
- 1 cup tomato, small diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped
- Zest and juice of 3 limes
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the roasted chipotle aioli:
- 1 can chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 3 cups mayonnaise, preferably olive oil–based
- Pinch of salt
For the blackened Cajun chicken:
- 3 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup Cajun spice
- 2 lemons, zested and juiced (keep the juice separate)
For the crispy tortillas:
- 4 tbsp olive oil, divided, plus more as needed
- 18 yellow corn tortillas, street taco size
For assembly:
- 4 oz queso fresco, crumbled
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- Cilantro sprigs for garnish
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
For the black bean corn salsa:
- Combine all of the salsa ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Use within 4 days.
- For the roasted chipotle aioli
- Remove 3 chipotle peppers from the adobo and finely chop. Refrigerate the remaining peppers for another use.
- Mix the chopped peppers with the lemon zest and juice and black pepper.
- Fold the pepper mixture into the mayonnaise until smooth. Season with a pinch of salt.
For the blackened Cajun chicken:
- Preheat the grill to 425 degrees, or high heat.
- In a large bowl, toss the chicken with the olive oil, Cajun spice, and lemon zest until evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate while the grill heats.
- Grill the chicken, turning once, until it reaches 165 degrees inside.
- Let rest 5-10 minutes, then cut into ½-inch strips and squeeze the reserved lemon juice over the top. Keep warm in a covered container.
For the crispy tortillas:
- While the chicken rests, set a sauté pan on the grill and add 2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Fry the tortillas a few at a time, toasting each side until crisp. Drain on a paper towel–lined tray.
- Repeat with the remaining tortillas, adding oil as needed. Handle the hot oil carefully.
For assembly:
- Arrange the tortillas on a lined sheet tray. Top each with warm chicken.
- Spoon salsa over the chicken with a slotted spoon.
- Add a small dollop of aioli and sprinkle with queso fresco and scallions.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Baked shells: Brush the tortillas with oil and bake at 400 degrees 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Cajun spice: Blends vary in salt; taste first and use less if yours is salty.
Make ahead: Salsa keeps 4 days; aioli keeps 1 week; tortillas can be crisped 6 hours ahead.
Dairy-free: Omit the queso fresco or use a dairy-free crumble.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer; Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tostadas
- Calories: 720