Tortas de Pollo Asado (Mexican Chicken Sandwiches)
Crusty rolls with refried beans, grilled citrus chicken, avocado and spicy pickled jalapenos, pressed until crisp outside.
Made with Escabeche (pickled jalapenos and carrots) and Refried beans (frijoles refritos) and Pollo asado marinade. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.55 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 chicken thighs with 120 ml of your ready made pollo asado marinade (see the base recipe). Chill for 2 to 8 hours.
120 min - 2
Cook the chicken in an oiled hot griddle pan for 6 to 7 minutes per side until charred and cooked through, at 75C in the thickest part. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
13 min - 3
Warm your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) in a small pan with a splash of water for 4 minutes until loose and hot.
4 min - 4
Toast the cut sides of the rolls in a dry pan until crisp and golden.
- 5
Spread beans thickly on both halves. Layer chicken, avocado, tomato, lettuce and slices of your ready made escabeche (see the base recipe).
- 6
Close the rolls and press them in the hot pan for 1 minute per side so the outside crisps. Serve at once.
2 min
Tips
- The refried bean layer stops the roll going soggy, so spread it right to the edges.
- Bolillo rolls are the traditional choice. A crusty white roll or small ciabatta is a good UK swap.
- Check the roll label if you avoid dairy or sesame, since bakery rolls vary.
Storing and freezing
Assemble just before eating. Keep cooked chicken and beans separately in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot.
Questions
What is a torta?
A torta is a Mexican sandwich served on a soft crusty roll, usually a bolillo or telera. Fillings range from milanesa and ham to grilled chicken, always with beans, avocado and pickled jalapenos.
Can I make tortas gluten free?
Yes, use gluten free crusty rolls, and check the escabeche and refried bean bases are gluten free. Toast the rolls so they hold the fillings.
Can I add cheese?
Yes. Slices of Oaxaca, mozzarella or queso fresco inside the roll melt as you press it. That makes it a dairy containing sandwich.
More made with escabeche (pickled jalapenos and carrots)
Tacos de Hongos al Ajillo con Escabeche (Garlic Mushroom Tacos)
DFEFNFFrijoles Charros (Cowboy Beans) with Pickled Jalapeños
GFDFEFNachos de Queso con Frijoles y Escabeche (Cheese Nachos)
GFEFNFSincronizadas con Jamón y Queso (Ham and Cheese Quesadillas)
EFNFSee every dish made with escabeche (pickled jalapenos and carrots)
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.