Description
This Chicken Torta is a hearty Mexican-style sandwich that transforms simple rotisserie chicken into a flavor-packed meal straight from the griddle. Loaded with spicy peppers, melted pepper jack cheese that gets crispy edges, and fresh crunchy vegetables, it is better than any sandwich shop takeout. With toasted bolillo rolls slathered in mayonnaise and a hot, cheesy chicken filling, this street food classic is perfect for a quick yet satisfying lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
The Base
- 4 bolillo rolls (or telera rolls)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Avocado oil (for the griddle)
The Filling
- 1 rotisserie chicken, meat and skin removed and shredded
- 1 small can (4 oz) diced green chiles
- 1 small can pickled jalapeños, drained
- 1 large tomato, diced
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese (or more to taste)
- Taco or Fajita seasoning, to taste
Fresh Toppings
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 1/2 white onion, diced
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
Prep the Chicken
Pull all the meat and skin off the rotisserie chicken. Shred it into bite-sized pieces. Don’t discard the skin chopping it up adds great texture and flavor.
Cook the Filling
Preheat a large griddle or cast-iron skillet to medium heat. Drizzle with avocado oil. Add the shredded chicken, green chiles, and pickled jalapeños. Sprinkle generously with taco (or fajita) seasoning. Cook for 5 minutes, tossing frequently to crisp up the meat.
Melt and Crisp
Add the diced tomato and shredded Pepper Jack cheese to the chicken mixture on the griddle. Stir to combine. Crucial Step: Let the cheese hit the hot surface directly. Allow it to melt and get golden brown and crispy in spots (this crispy cheese is called “frico” or “costra”).
Toast the Bread
While the filling finishes, slice the bolillo rolls open. Slather mayonnaise on the cut sides. Place them mayo-side down on the hot griddle. Toast for 2 minutes until golden brown, then flip briefly to warm the outside.
Assemble
Use a spatula to scoop the hot, cheesy chicken mixture onto the bottom halves of the toasted rolls.
Top and Serve
Top the hot filling with the cool, shredded iceberg lettuce, chopped cilantro, and diced onions. Close the sandwich with the top bun, slice in half, and serve immediately.
Notes
The “Frico” Factor: Don’t be afraid to let the cheese touch the hot griddle surface. Those golden-brown, crispy cheese bits add an incredible savory texture that makes this torta special.
Bread Options: If you cannot find bolillo rolls in the bakery section, telera rolls are the traditional alternative. A wide French baguette cut into 6-inch sections also works well.
Shredded Lettuce: Shred the iceberg lettuce as finely as possible (think “shaved”). This texture holds the sauces better and stays crunchy without sliding out of the sandwich.
Mayo Toast: Slathering the bread with mayonnaise instead of butter before griddling creates a rich, golden, and savory crust that is essential for a good torta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Lunch
- Method: Griddle / Skillet
- Cuisine: Mexican Street Food
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Torta
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1450mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: chicken torta recipe, mexican sandwich, rotisserie chicken recipes, griddle recipes, pepper jack chicken sandwich, spicy chicken torta, street food recipes