Chicken Tostadas with Radish Slaw

Radishes are routinely part of the salsa and condiment spreads you see at the best taquerias. Here, they’re used as part of a fresh topping for earthy chicken tostadas that are anything but routine. Creamy avocado and tangy cotija cheese top off these tasty bites.

 

Chicken Tostadas with Radish Slaw

 

For the chicken:

2/3 cup (5 fl. oz./150 ml.) fresh orange juice

3 Tbs. fresh lime juice

3 Tbs. achiote paste (see note)

1 small yellow onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

2 lb. (1 kg.) boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

 

For the radish slaw:

2 1/2 cups (about 18) radishes, trimmed, halved and thinly sliced

2 green onions, thinly sliced

1/3 cup (1/2 oz./15 g.) fresh cilantro, chopped

1 Tbs. fresh lime juice

 

Corn oil, for frying

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

3 oz. (90 g.) cotija cheese, crumbled

2 large avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced

 

Note: Achiote paste, a popular Yucatecan seasoning made from ground annatto seeds, is available at Mexican stores.

 

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, 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, green onions, cilantro 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. Serves 6.