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Made with juicy chicken, crunchy cabbage, creamy refried beans, sharp queso fresco, and rich avocado, this easy Chicken Torta is filled with flavor and textures. It is a delicious spin on a classic Mexican Torta Sandwich that anyone can easily enjoy at home.
Looking for more delicious sandwich recipes? Don't miss Copycat Panera Roasted Turkey Sandwich, Chickpea Avocado Salad Sandwich, and Meatball Subs.
Easy Chicken Torta Recipe
A Torta is a type of Mexican sandwich that is typically made with a crusty roll, seasoned meat, and various flavorful seasonings. And when prepared correctly, like this version of a Chicken Torta is, it is downright delicious and a great way to level up your sandwich game.
My version of a Mexican Torta is made with a soft roll, grilled chicken, refried beans, and dressed cabbage. Finished with fresh tomato, onions, avocado and queso fresco this sandwich has it all! It is fresh, filling, flavorful, and incredibly unique. It is a great change up from a chicken salad or egg salad sandwich and is just as hearty as a French Dip or Italian Beef Sandwich.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Ingredients at a Glance
A Mexican Torta is classically made with a soft roll, seasoned meat, mayonnaise, and refried beans. This chicken version of a torta uses chicken as the seasoned protein. While I give you a lot of ideas for toppings to make the a torta with tons of flavor and texture, feel free to mix and match the toppings to create a sandwich perfect for you.
How to Make a Chicken Torta
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare the Slaw. While you can simply add shredded cabbage to your sandwich, tossing the cabbage with fresh lime juice and salt and allowing it to marinate while the chicken cooks will elevate the flavor of the cabbage and in turn the flavor of sandwich.
- Prepare Chicken. My trick to adding intense flavor to the chicken is to add the zest of a lime to the taco seasoning and after grilling or pan-frying the chicken, drizzle the fresh lime juice over the chicken. This will give the chicken a really nice zing of bright, fresh flavor.
- Assemble the Torta. To prevent the bun from becoming soggy, it is best to spread mayonnaise on the top of the bun and a thin layer of refried beans on the bottom of the bun. Add the crumbled queso fresco to the refried beans, which will help the cheese not fall off the sandwich. Top with sliced chicken, tomatoes, onions, seasoned cabbage, and avocado.
- Serve Immediately. A Mexican Torta, like most sandwiches, is best served immediately after preparation as the rolls will become soggy if refrigerated after assembling. Serve alongside fruit salad, Mexican Quinoa Salad, or chips and homemade salsa.
Recipe Modifications
- Use Leftover Chicken: Leftover Instant Pot chicken taco meat, shredded chicken taco meat, cowboy chicken, or even leftover rotisserie chicken tossed with taco seasoning or salsa will work to make a short-cut, yet delicious chicken torta.
- No Bolillo Rolls? Bolillo rolls are the traditional choice for a torta. They are the Mexican version of a baguette. Feel free to use a baguette or sub roll if you can't find bolillo rolls.
- Swap out the Seasoning: Use Adobo seasoning or fajita seasoning in place of the taco seasoning for the chicken.
- Try Another Protein: Use leftover seasoned shrimp from shrimp tacos, shredded barbacoa, or Instant Pot carnitas in place of the chicken.
- Make it Vegetarian: Use seasoned tofu or copycat Chipotle Sofritas to make a delicious vegetarian torta.
- Dairy-Free Torta: Omit the cheese and make sure your rolls are dairy-free.
More Tex-Mex Chicken Recipes
- Honey Lime Chicken Fajitas
- Salsa Verde Enchiladas
- Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Easy Tex-Mex Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet
- Chicken Al Pastor
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Chicken Torta
Video
Ingredients
For Seasoned Cabbage
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 small lime
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning, or store-bought taco seasoning
- 1 small lime, zested and juiced
- ½ tablespoon olive oil, for pan-frying
For the Torta
- 4 medium Bolillo rolls, or 1 large baguette
- 1 cup refried beans
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ cup queso fresco, crumbled
- 1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1 large vine-ripened tomato, sliced
- 1 small onion (any variety), thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Slaw. In a medium mixing bowl, toss the cabbage with the juice of a fresh lime and ½ teaspoon of salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble the sandwiches.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl combine the lime zest and taco seasoning. Use that mixture to sprinkle each side of the chicken, and gently rub the seasoning into the chicken to coat.
- Pan-fry the Chicken. Add oil to a non-stick pan and heat it over medium-high heat. Once heated, add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden. Flip and continue to cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is golden on each side and reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ (74℃).
- Rest and Slice the Chicken. Remove the chicken from the skillet, and let rest for 5-10 minutes. After resting, slice the chicken into ¼-inch slices. Squeeze the juice of the lime over the chickens and gently toss.
- Assemble the Torta. Halve each of the rolls. Spread mayonnaise on the top of the roll and spread the refried beans on the bottom of the roll. Sprinkle the crumbled queso fresco over the refried beans, and then top with the sliced chicken. Top with sliced tomatoes, onions, seasoned cabbage, and avocado. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This looks fantastic! My husband just loves tortas. I'll have to make this for him!
Des, I hope you do and you and your husband both enjoy it!
Kristen,
This sandwich looks terrific! I can get those bolillo rolls at my local Kroger but I've never thought about such a terrific sandwich with them.
Thanks!
They are the perfect vessel for a FABULOUS sandwich!
It's so easy to get distracted at home. I'm the same way so I completely understand. And when the TV is on, it's always on a food channel.
I bet this torta tastes as good as it looks--you've put some of my favorite flavors together here.
Thanks Jean. I am glad I am not alone in the distraction department.
I love tortas! My husband used to laugh at me when I would order them at Baja Fresh instead of burritos! Your chicken torta looks delicious! and easy to make!
Trust me, once you try this torta--you will never want another burrito 🙂
What a yummy sandwich! I LOVE anything chipotle, it's one of my favorite flavors ever!
Mine too Judy!
This looks fantastic, love the flavors!
Thanks Florian.
oh yum this looks fantastic! i'd like it for lunch today!
Oh, yes--you need it for lunch!