Chicken Torta Sandwich
I’ve been making this Chicken Torta Sandwich since college — it’s the kind of sandwich that feels like a celebration even on a Tuesday night. A lightly charred grilled chicken breast, creamy avocado, warm refried beans, a tangy kick from pickled jalapeños, and melty cheese all tucked into a soft telera or bolillo roll: simple, satisfying, and built for big bites. If you like handheld meals with bold textures and bright flavors, this is one to keep in your weeknight rotation. For a near-identical version I tested while refining timing and to compare bread choices, I referenced another home-friendly take here: Chicken Torta Sandwich.
Why you’ll love this dish
This torta is a perfect balance of textures — crunchy bread, tender grilled chicken, silky avocado, and creamy beans — with a spicy zip from pickled jalapeños. It’s quick to assemble when you’ve got grilled chicken on hand, budget-friendly (a little cheese and beans go a long way), and endlessly adaptable for picky eaters or bold palates alike. Make it for a hearty lunch, a fast weeknight dinner, or a crowd-friendly picnic item that travels well when wrapped.
“Crunchy roll, warm beans, and that first hit of jalapeño — this torta turned an ordinary lunch into one of my favorite comfort sandwiches.”
For another melty chicken sandwich riff I use when I want garlic-butter flavor instead of beans, this version is a helpful reference: cheesy chicken garlic bread sandwich.
How this recipe comes together
You’ll prep and grill the chicken, warm the refried beans, slice avocado, and assemble. Expect about 10–15 minutes active prep if the chicken is already cooked; plan 20–30 minutes total if you need to grill chicken from raw. The process is: season and grill chicken, warm beans so they spread easily, slice avocado, assemble on a split telera or bolillo, and serve while hot for best texture.
For a quick alternative when you want a buttery, cheesy finish instead of beans, check this similar method I’ve used: cheesy chicken garlic bread sandwich.
Ingredient list
- Grilled chicken breast (fresh or leftover), seasoned simply with salt, pepper, and a pinch of cumin or chili powder if you like
- 1 ripe avocado, sliced
- Refried beans, warmed (canned or homemade)
- Pickled jalapeños, drained to control moisture and heat
- Cheese (queso fresco, Monterey Jack, or Oaxaca are great choices)
- Telera or bolillo bread, split horizontally (substitute a sturdy ciabatta or bolillo if needed)
Notes: If you want more moisture control, pat the avocado slices dry. Use a firmer cheese for better melt structure if you plan to press the sandwich.
Directions to follow
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and optional spices. Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 6–8 minutes per side for average breasts). Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.
- While the chicken rests, slice the avocado and set aside.
- Warm the refried beans in a small saucepan or microwave until they’re spreadable and hot. Stir to smooth.
- Split the telera or bolillo and spread a thick layer of warm refried beans on one half. The heat from the beans helps keep the sandwich warm.
- On the other half, layer the sliced grilled chicken, avocado, pickled jalapeños to taste, and cheese. If you prefer the cheese melted, briefly place under a broiler or press the assembled sandwich in a panini press.
- Close the sandwich, press lightly, slice in half, and serve immediately.
If you want to compare bread options and assembly tips I experimented with, see this related guide: cheesy chicken garlic bread sandwich.
Best ways to enjoy it
Serve the torta with lime wedges for brightness and a simple side like crispy tortilla chips, a fresh cabbage slaw, or pickled carrots. For drinks, a cold Mexican lager or an agua fresca (hibiscus or horchata) pairs nicely. If presenting to guests, cut the tortas into halves or quarters and stack on a platter for a casual buffet.
For another avocado-and-chicken melting option that’s great for brunch, try this melt-style inspiration: Chicken Avocado Melt.
Storage and reheating tips
- Short-term: Store assembled tortas wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but expect the bread to soften from the beans and jalapeños. For best texture, store components separately (chicken, beans, avocado) and assemble just before eating.
- Reheating: Reheat chicken in the oven at 350°F until warmed through (about 10–12 minutes) or use a microwave for 1–2 minutes, then reassemble. If you want the bread crisp, toast or pan-fry lightly after assembling.
- Freezing: Freeze only the cooked chicken (not the avocado or bread) in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Food safety note: refrigerate cooked chicken within two hours of cooking and use within 3–4 days.
Extra advice
- Grill marks add flavor: a hot grill and minimal flipping will give caramelized edges without drying the chicken.
- Control avocado browning: squeeze a little lime juice on slices if you need to hold them before serving.
- Bean thickness: if your refried beans are too stiff, add a splash of chicken stock to loosen them so they spread without tearing the roll.
- Pickled jalapeños tip: rinse briefly if the jar brine is very salty or acidic; draining prevents soggy bread.
Creative twists
- Spicy BBQ torta: brush chicken with a smoky chipotle BBQ sauce before grilling.
- Veggie-forward: swap chicken for grilled portobello or a seasoned roasted cauliflower steak for a vegetarian take.
- Breakfast torta: add a fried egg and swap refried beans for refried black beans for an early-morning meal.
- Cheese swap: try cotija or a sharp cheddar for a saltier bite, or Oaxaca for ultra-melty texture.
Helpful answers
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken for a faster version?
A: Yes. Shredded rotisserie chicken works well and cuts total time dramatically. Reheat the chicken briefly before assembling so the cheese melts and the sandwich stays warm.
Q: Will this get soggy if I make it ahead?
A: If fully assembled, the beans can make the bread soggy over time. To prevent this, store the beans and avocado separately and assemble within an hour of serving.
Q: What bread is best if I can’t find telera or bolillo?
A: A sturdy roll like ciabatta, kaiser, or a soft sub roll are good substitutes; avoid very airy buns that collapse when loaded.
Q: How spicy will the pickled jalapeños make the sandwich?
A: That depends on how many you use and whether you include seeds. Start with a few slices and taste; you can always add more for heat.
Conclusion
This Chicken Torta Sandwich is an approachable, flavor-forward sandwich that rewards simple technique: well-grilled chicken, warm refried beans, creamy avocado, tangy pickled jalapeños, and melting cheese on a sturdy roll. For an alternative recipe perspective and extra assembly notes, see Chicken Torta – What’s Gaby Cooking, and for another Mexican-style chicken torta with seasoning ideas, check out Mexican Chicken Torta – Chili Pepper Madness.
Chicken Torta Sandwich
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pieces Grilled chicken breasts Fresh or leftover, seasoned with salt, pepper, and optional chili powder.
- 1 piece ripe avocado Sliced.
- 1 can Refried beans Warmed (canned or homemade).
- 1/4 cup Pickled jalapeños Drained to control moisture and heat.
- 1 cup Cheese Queso fresco, Monterey Jack, or Oaxaca are great choices.
- 4 pieces Telera or bolillo bread Split horizontally.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and optional spices.
- Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (about 6-8 minutes per side). Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
- While the chicken rests, slice the avocado and set aside.
- Warm the refried beans until spreadable and hot.
Assembly
- Split the telera or bolillo and spread a thick layer of warm refried beans on one half.
- On the other half, layer the sliced grilled chicken, avocado, pickled jalapeños to taste, and cheese.
- If you prefer the cheese melted, briefly place under a broiler or press in a panini press.
- Close the sandwich, press lightly, slice in half, and serve immediately.
