Crazy Chicken and Plantain Torta
Torta Loca de Pollo y Plátano Macho
Recipe Yield
6 tortas
Cooking time
40 minutes
Rate this recipe
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast filets
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil plus 3 tablespoons if frying chicken, plus more for plantains
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or coarse sea salt or to taste
- 4 whole cloves
- 2 very ripe plantains peeled and diagonally sliced
- 1 1/2 cups refried beans homemade or store bought
- 6 bolillos teleras, individual baguettes, or large baguettes cut into 4-inch pieces and halved
- 2 large ripe Mexican avocados halved, pitted, meat scooped out and sliced
To Prepare
- Place the chicken in a container or dish.
- In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, oil, cumin, cinnamon, allspice black pepper and salt. With your hands, pulverize the tops of the cloves into the mix and discard the stems. Whisk with a fork or whisk until thoroughly combined. Pour the mixture all over the chicken, making sure it is entirely covered. You may marinate it for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator, or cook immediately.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Make sure your chicken thighs are not rolled out before you bake them; they should be in their normal shape, as if there were a bone still in them. Place the baking dish with the chicken in the oven and roast for 25 minutes. Raise the oven temperature to 500 and roast for 5 more minutes, until the chicken has browned on top and bottom and the meat is thoroughly cooked. Alternatively, heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large casserole or frying pan set over medium high heat. Once hot, cook the chicken for about 4 to 5 minutes per side.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before you slice. Once it is cool enough to handle, cut each thigh into 1/2-inch slices across the grain.
- Heat about 1/2-inch oil in a large casserole or frying pan over medium to medium-high heat. Once it is hot, test with a plantain slice to see if there are active bubbles all around it (without foaming over). Fry the plantain slices, without crowding the pan (you may need to do it in batches), for about 2 to 3 minutes per side until they are golden brown, a bit caramelized and crisp. Remove and place on a paper towel covered plate.
- Heat your refried beans!
- To assemble the tortas: If the bread is fresh, just slice it in half, no need to toast. If it isn’t fresh, toast it for a few minutes. Spread about 2 to 3 tablespoons refried beans on the bottom half, top with 4 to 5 cooked plantain slices, then a chicken thigh and then 3 to 4 slices of avocado. Place top half on bread on. Cut in half and eat, or pack and take it to go.
Comments
20comments inCrazy Chicken and Plantain Torta
RENEE BLANCHETTE
Sep 03
Dear Pati
Thank you so very much for this recipe. At first I thought, oh no, the chicken will be so over cooked. Not the case at all. My chicken was juicy, flavorful, and simply delicious. I waited until the plantain was ripe and that was the crowning touch to your recipe. Thanks again Pati. I’ll keep trying more of your recipes.
Pati Jinich
Sep 04
So happy you liked this torta Renee, yay!
Vana Fessler
Jun 22
Thank you.
Pati Jinich
Jun 23
Thanks to you Vana!
Julia
Jun 18
Es un emparedado diferente y delicioso, jamas se me hubiera ocurrido colocarles platano., es una gran idea. Gracias.
Pati Jinich
Jun 21
Gracias Julia, el platano macho le da un toque super diferente a esta torta. Saludos!
Abeer Hikmat
Jun 18
I LOVE your shows and your personality!
A Palestinian Salam/Hola! From Texas! 😍
Pati Jinich
Jun 21
Salam Abeer! Thanks for the kind words!
Randy Smith
Dec 20
Incredible!!! Wow!! Forget chickfila and popeyes this is the best chicken sandwich Ive ever had!!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Pati Jinich
Dec 20
Oh wow! Thank you, Randy.
Christiana Honore
May 04
Saw this recipe on the show Pati, but didnt you include achiote?? I just seasoned my bone in chicken leg quaters as instructed and added some achiote. Viva!! …will keep you posted.
Pati
May 08
This is the chicken sandwich with achiote: http://patijinich.com/pati_2020/recipe/fast-track-chicken-pibil-sandwich/
Rosa
Apr 29
I’m watching your show right now ?
Pati
May 01
YAY!
Laura Hastings-Brownstein
May 30
Pati – Adoro tu programa! Me lleva a México verte cocinando tan deliciosa comida! Hoy, miraba el programa del picnic con tortas tan deliciosas. Pero, te tengo una pregunta. ¿Porque no enseñaste quitar el pan del centro del bolillo para las tortas? Después en el programa, parecía que habían quitado el pan del bolillo. Es mucho más fácil comer sin tanto pan en la boca. Soy curiosa!
Pati
Jun 02
Gracias por tu mensaje, tienes razón, la próxima vez me voy a asegurar que eso salga en cámara!
Jo
Sep 27
Made the chicken tortas today for the in-laws. It was a hit! Love your show and recipes.
Pati
Sep 28
Thank you, Jo!
Frank
Sep 07
Made this today along with your Mango Puffs. Outstanding! Delicious doesn’t even come close. I added a bit more vinegar, guacamole instead of avocados, chipotle mayo, and Portuguese buns lightly toasted. We’re having the exact same thing tomorrow!
Pati
Sep 07
Sounds like a great combo, Frank!