Panuchos Yucatecos (Bean-Stuffed Tortillas with Chicken)
Little fried masa discs stuffed with beans, then topped with shredded chicken, avocado and bright pink pickled onions.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Refried beans (frijoles refritos) and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.24 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix the masa harina and salt with the warm water and knead for 2 minutes until soft and springy. Cover and rest for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Divide into 8 balls. Press each between baking paper to a 10 cm disc about 4 mm thick.
- 3
Cook the discs in a dry, medium-hot pan for 1 minute per side until set but pale. Keep covered with a tea towel.
2 min - 4
While still warm, slit each disc along one edge with a sharp knife to make a pocket. Fill the pocket with a spoonful of your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) and pinch closed.
- 5
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the panuchos for 2 minutes per side until golden and crisp. Drain on kitchen paper.
4 min - 6
Top each with your ready made shredded chicken (see the base recipe), lettuce, tomato and avocado, then finish with your ready made pickled red onions (see the base recipe).
Tips
- Keep the discs warm and covered so they stay pliable when you slit them.
- Use black refried beans if you have them, as they are traditional in Yucatan.
- Fry in shallow oil and turn once, so the shells stay crisp but not greasy.
Storing and freezing
Best at once. The unfilled cooked discs keep 2 days chilled. Fry and fill just before serving.
Questions
What is the difference between panuchos and salbutes?
Panuchos are stuffed with beans before frying. Salbutes are plain puffy tortillas without the bean filling.
Can I use flour tortillas?
No, the pocket needs masa dough. Thick corn tortillas can be filled in a pinch.
Can I make them ahead?
Cook the discs ahead and chill them, then fry and top just before serving.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Karahi Chicken Wraps
EFNFTorta Ahogada de Carnitas (Drowned Pork Sandwich)
EFNFDFPescado Tikin Xic (Yucatecan Achiote Grilled Fish)
DFEFNFEnchiladas Rojas de Camarón (Red Prawn Enchiladas)
EFNFSee every dish made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.