Torta de Pollo Deshebrado y Frijoles (Shredded Chicken and Bean Torta)
A Mexican street sandwich of soft telera style rolls spread with refried beans, piled with shredded chicken and avocado.
Made with Refried beans (frijoles refritos) and Shredded chicken (pollo deshebrado) and Basic bread dough. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time1 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £2.92 a head
- Oven220°C (200°C fan)
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
Divide your ready made bread dough (see the base recipe) into 4 pieces of 150 g. Shape each into an oval about 15 cm long. With the side of your hand, press two parallel grooves along each one to give the telera style shape. Place on a lined tray, cover and prove for 30 minutes.
30 min - 2
Heat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan). Bake the rolls for 18 to 20 minutes until golden and hollow sounding when tapped underneath. Cool on a rack.
19 min - 3
Heat your ready made shredded chicken (see the base recipe) in a pan with a splash of water until steaming hot all the way through. Warm your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) in a separate pan, loosening with a splash of water.
- 4
Split the rolls and scoop out a little of the soft crumb from the top halves. Toast them cut side down in a hot, lightly oiled frying pan for 1 minute until crisp.
1 min - 5
Spread a thick layer of refried beans on the bottom halves, then top with the chicken, avocado, tomato, onion and jalapeño.
- 6
Squeeze over a little lime, close the torta and press down firmly. Serve straight away, cut in half.
Tips
- Scooping a little crumb from the top half makes more room for the filling without losing the roll.
- Spread the beans on the bread first, as they act as glue and stop the chicken sliding out.
- Add sliced queso fresco or Oaxaca cheese, or a spoon of crema, for a richer torta.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten straight away. Keep leftover chicken and beans in separate containers for up to 3 days in the fridge and reheat until steaming hot. Rolls freeze for 1 month.
Questions
What is a torta?
A torta is a Mexican sandwich served on a soft white roll, often a telera or bolillo, filled with meat, beans, avocado and salsa. Tortas are sold everywhere, from market stalls to dedicated shops called tortería.
Can I use a different filling?
Yes. Carnitas, milanesa (breaded steak) and ham with cheese are all classic. Just keep the beans and avocado, and add pickled jalapeño for the traditional kick.
Can I make a vegetarian torta?
Yes. Leave out the chicken and double the beans, with grilled mushrooms, peppers or extra avocado. The refried beans must be a vegetarian recipe, so check the base recipe.
More made with refried beans (frijoles refritos)
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.