Tortas de Pollo en Salsa Verde (Chicken Torta Sandwiches)
A hot, crusty Mexican sandwich of green sauce chicken, refried beans, avocado and pickled onion.
Made with Pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas) and Green enchilada sauce and Refried beans (frijoles refritos). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.74 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
Heat the oil in a wide pan over a medium-high heat. Cook the chicken strips for 5 minutes, seasoning with salt, until browned.
5 min - 2
Add 250 ml of your ready made green enchilada sauce (see the base recipe) and simmer for 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through with no pink and the sauce is thick.
5 min - 3
Warm your ready made refried beans (see the base recipe) in a small pan with a splash of water.
- 4
Split the rolls and toast the cut sides in a dry pan or under the grill for 1 to 2 minutes until crisp.
1 min 30 s - 5
Spread the bottom of each roll with beans. Add lettuce, tomato, chicken and sauce, avocado and your pickled red onions (see the base recipe). Close and press down.
- 6
Eat straight away while warm.
Tips
- Pick a roll with a crisp crust and a soft, light inside. Scoop out some crumb if it is very doughy.
- Spread the beans on both halves to make a barrier against the juicy chicken.
- Slice the chicken thin so it fits the roll neatly.
- Pressing the sandwich under a hot pan for a minute gives a crisp, toasted outside.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keep leftover chicken in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Do not store assembled sandwiches.
Questions
What is a torta?
A torta is a Mexican sandwich made in a crusty roll, often with beans, avocado and a hot filling. They are popular street food and lunch.
What rolls do I use in the UK?
Use ciabatta or soft crusty white rolls. Bolillo rolls are ideal if you can find them at a Latin shop.
Can I make it gluten free?
Use gluten free rolls and check labels on the beans and onions. The sauce is gluten free if made with gluten free stock.
Can I use turkey?
Yes. Sliced leftover turkey warmed in the sauce is delicious in tortas.
More made with pickled red onions (cebollas encurtidas)
Salbutes de Pavo (Yucatecan Puffed Masa with Turkey)
DFEFNFTostadas de Marlín Ahumado (Smoked Fish Tostadas with Chipotle)
DFEFNFSabich (Aubergine and Egg Pitta)
VNFChar Siu Pork Lettuce Cups with Pickled Onions
DFEFNFSee 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.