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    Home » Recipes » Chicken Torta (Mexican Chicken Sandwich)

    Chicken Torta (Mexican Chicken Sandwich)

    Last Updated November 19, 2020. Originally Posted July 24, 2017 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Chicken Torta (or Mexican Chicken Sandwich) is an easy, delicious, and inexpensive recipe served at most street carts in Mexico or taquerías. Enjoy!
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    There’s a classic Mexican TV show that everyone knows called “El Chavo Del Ocho.” In the show, the main character, played by Chespirito, was homeless and he lived in a barrel. Each week, I would watch and feel sad for him. I usually watched right after dinner surrounded by the love and warmth of my family. On the screen was a poor kid who didn’t have a home. It’s a sad truth of many Mexican kids. Extreme poverty still exists in Mexico. The character loved tortas. To this day, each time I eat a Chicken Torta, or any torta for that matter, I think of El Chavo.

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    This Mexican Chicken Sandwich is SO good and SO easy to assemble. It all starts with the chicken. Most Mexican street carts or taquerías will grill the chicken and allow the charcoal to give it its flavors. Not sure about you, but I ain’t got no charcoal grill. Instead, I marinate the chicken to give it some flavor. Minimum 1 hour.

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

    Everyone seems to have their version, their own recipe of the ideal Chicken Torta. This is a basic recipe – mayonnaise, avocado, pickled jalapeños, chicken (of course), and toasted telera. From here, I add stuff, depending on what’s in my fridge. I’ve seen people add bacon, lettuce, tomato, even French fries! Hey, whatever floats your boat.

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    To make your chicken torta, you’re going to need a Telera. It’s a particular type of Mexican bread almost the size of my head!! If you can’t find teleras, you can uses bolillo or a large roll.

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Pickled jalapeños are a must. They never add enough, and I like it spicy. And you can’t eat a torta without a few slices of avocado or at least some guacamole.

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Years later, I saw Chespirito perform in Mexico City in a play called “11 y 12.” Some people go to an elegant restaurant before the theatre. That day, we hit up a street cart that made the best chicken tortas. Yes, it was THAT good that I still remember something I ate back in 1996! Such a yummy Mexican classic. Happy Eating!

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Chicken Torta (Mexican Chicken Sandwich)

    Chicken Torta (or Mexican Chicken Sandwich) is an easy, delicious, and inexpensive recipe served at most street carts in Mexico or taquerías. Enjoy!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Lunch
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
    Cook Time: 7 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 19 minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 522kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 lb chicken strips
    • Juice of 1 lime
    • 1 garlic clove finely minced
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon ground oregano
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 avocado sliced
    • ¼ cup pickled jalapeños
    • 2 tablespoon mayonnaise
    • 2 telera bread rolls

    Instructions

    • In a large glass container, add chicken strips, lime juice, garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
    • Cover and refrigerator at least one hour, or overnight.
    • Heat olive oil in a large skillet.
    • Cook chicken until no longer pink in the center. About 5-7 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and let cool.
    • Meanwhile, toast telera.
    • Slice bread in half.
    • Add mayonnaise to the top half.
    • Add chicken, avocado, and pickled jalapeños to the bottom half.
    • Place the top half to the bottom half.
    • Cut in half.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Marinate the chicken to give it some flavor. Minimum 1 hour.
    You can add bacon, lettuce, tomato, even French fries.
    If you can’t find teleras, you can uses bolillo or a large roll.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1677mg | Potassium: 958mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Chicken Torta - This is a yummy and easy to assemble Mexican sandwich. It’s Mexican food goodness at its best. By Mama Maggie’s Kitchen

    Filed Under: Chicken, Mexican, Recipes

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Erica

      July 24, 2017 at 5:18 pm

      This is going to sound crazy, but I’ve never had a pickled Jalapeno. But I love them jalapenos so now I’m totally intrigued. It really is horrible when you have a nice meal to think of all those without. It really makes you thankful for what you have. Especially if you grew up healthy and not hungry.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 26, 2017 at 10:21 am

        Yes. I know. In Mexico, we see that all the time.

        Reply
    2. Francesca

      July 24, 2017 at 5:51 pm

      I want this for lunch!! Avocado and pickled jalapeño are my favourite!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 26, 2017 at 10:20 am

        Love those two as toppings. They’re so yummy! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Fabiola Rodriguez

      July 24, 2017 at 7:32 pm

      5 stars
      I love chicken tortas! Pollo rostizado tortas are also delish 🙂
      It may sound funny, but El Chavo reruns are on still on Mexican TV to this day, and my kids love the show, but the kind of tortas he loved were tortas de jamón.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 26, 2017 at 10:19 am

        YES! Tortas de jamón were his favorite. I was so sad when he passed away.

        Reply
    4. Michelle

      July 25, 2017 at 4:55 am

      I always just have ham and cheese sandwich, LOL. I’ll have to try this recipe for when I’m craving for something Mexican.

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        July 26, 2017 at 10:20 am

        Tortas de jamón, or ham and cheese tortas, are delicious!

        Reply

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