February 16, 2024
Review RecipeChicken Flautas
These chicken flautas are a delicious Mexican dish featuring crispy tortillas filled with flavorful shredded chicken, zesty salsa, and gooey cheese, perfect for any occasion.
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Discover the deliciousness of homemade chicken flautas. Our easy recipe combines tender chicken, zesty salsa, and gooey cheese, making these crispy bundles a must-try for any food lover.
Chicken Flautas Ingredients
The star of the show, tender shredded chicken, brings protein-packed goodness to these flautas.
The zesty salsa and lime juice add a burst of tangy flavor and moisture to the filling, while the creamy Mexican-style cheese blend brings the perfect melty, gooey texture to your flautas.
Flour tortillas serve as the cozy cocoon for our flavorful chicken mixture, crisping up beautifully when fried.
You’ll need:
- 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken breast or leftover chicken
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ½ teaspoon of chili powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ cup of salsa
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- 1 cup of Mexican-style 4-cheese blend
- 12 flour tortillas
- 2 cups of vegetable oil, for frying
Substitutions and Additions
TOPPINGS: The sky’s the limit on what you put in your flautas. Try chopped onion, black beans, refried beans, jalapeno peppers, sour cream, avocado slices, green chilies, fresh guacamole, cilantro, hot sauce, limes, iceberg lettuce, cream Mexican crema, cream cheese, ground beef, chorizo, potatoes, fresh pico de gallo, or tomatoes.
CHICKEN: Swap the rotisserie chicken with grilled, poached, or even ground chicken for a unique twist on your homemade flautas.
SALSA: Experiment with different salsa varieties – mild, medium, or hot – to adjust the heat level.
CHEESE: Try different cheese blends like cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or Monterey Jack for a flavor variation.
TORTILLAS: Opt for whole wheat or corn tortillas for a different texture and taste.
How To Make This Chicken Flautas Recipe
Making these bundles of flavor is as simple as combining the filling ingredients and making each individual flauta before deep frying them to crispy perfection.
STEP ONE: Combine the shredded chicken, salt, pepper, chili powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Stir the ingredients well to combine.
STEP TWO: Add the salsa, lime juice, and the Mexican cheese blend to the chicken mixture and stir to combine.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
To prevent tortillas from cracking while rolling, warm them briefly in the microwave or on a skillet. This makes them more pliable and less likely to tear.
STEP THREE: Place a flour tortilla on a work surface and place about ¼ cup of the chicken filling in the middle of the tortilla.
PRO TIP:
When placing the chicken mixture on the tortilla, focus on the center and leave some space at the edges. This ensures even rolling and prevents overfilling, which can lead to spills during frying.
STEP FOUR: Roll up the tortilla tightly and secure it with a toothpick. Repeat this process with the rest of the tortillas and filling.
STEP FIVE: Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place 2-3 flautas inside in a single layer and shallow fry them in batches.
I like to fry mine in hot oil for 2-3 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
STEP SIX: Drain the flautas on paper towels and serve your crunchy chicken flautas with your favorite toppings.
How To Serve
We have a few different ways to enjoy these irresistible chicken flautas.
For a great appetizer, set up a flauta station with various toppings and let guests customize their own.
Make it a full Mexican fiesta by serving crispy flautas with sides like fresh guacamole, refried beans, and margaritas.
Turn your chicken flautas into a main course by serving them with a side of Spanish rice and an elote corn salad for an easy dinner.
Enjoy a different spin on these crispy appetizers with our taquito recipe. Our taco sticks are stuffed with plenty of taco goodness, too.
MORE MEXICAN DISH RECIPES
Storage
MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Assemble and fry the flautas just before serving for that fresh crunch.
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover flautas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in the oven for best results.
IN THE FREEZER: To freeze, arrange the flautas in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to three months.
Reheat in the oven from frozen until heated through.
REHEATING: Reheat flautas in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until they’re crispy and hot. You can also use the microwave, but the texture may not be as crispy.
Why We Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons we love this recipe. Here are just a few.
FLAVORFUL FILLING: The combination of tender chicken, zesty salsa, and gooey cheese creates a burst of flavor in every bite.
EASY TO CUSTOMIZE: Chicken flautas are endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings, making them suitable for any palate.
PERFECT PARTY FOOD: Whether it’s game night, a birthday bash, or a casual get-together, chicken flautas are the ultimate crowd-pleaser.
Our easy chicken flautas recipe offers a delightful flavor and a satisfying crunch in every bite. Whether planning a casual get-together, a festive celebration, or a simple weeknight dinner, these Mexican-inspired flautas are a winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between chicken taquitos and chicken flautas?
The main difference between chicken taquitos and chicken flautas is the type of tortilla used. Taquitos are usually made with corn tortillas, while flautas are made with flour tortillas. Also, flautas are typically longer and thinner than taquitos.
Can I make these vegetarian?
Replace the chicken with sautéed veggies and beans for a tasty vegetarian version.
How do I prevent the flautas from unrolling during frying?
Securing them with toothpicks before frying is key to keeping them intact.
Can I use leftover turkey instead of chicken?
Leftover turkey works just as well in this easy recipe.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
While frying gives the flautas their signature crispiness, you can bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until golden brown.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Yes, you can. Corn tortillas will give your flautas a different texture and flavor.
What are some other popular variations of chicken flautas?
Popular variations include beef flautas, pork flautas, vegetarian flautas, quesadilla flautas, and breakfast flautas.
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Chicken Flautas
These chicken flautas are a delicious Mexican dish featuring crispy tortillas filled with flavorful shredded chicken, zesty salsa, and gooey cheese, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast, or leftover chicken
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ cup salsa
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 cup Mexican-style 4-cheese blend
- 12 flour tortillas
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Combine the shredded chicken, salt, pepper, chili powder, and onion powder in a large mixing bowl. Stir the ingredients well to combine.
- Add the salsa, lime juice, and the Mexican cheese blend to the chicken mixture and stir to combine.
- Place a flour tortilla on a work surface and place about ¼ cup of the chicken filling in the middle of the tortilla.
- Roll up the tortilla tightly and secure it with a toothpick. Repeat this process with the rest of the tortillas and filling.
- Heat your vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place 2-3 flautas inside in a single layer and shallow fry them in batches. I like to fry mine in hot oil for 2-3 minutes per side or until they turn golden brown and crispy.
- Drain the flautas on paper towels and serve your crunchy chicken flautas with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- To prevent tortillas from cracking while rolling, warm them briefly in the microwave or on a skillet. This makes them more pliable and less likely to tear.
- When placing the chicken mixture on the tortilla, focus on the center and leave some space at the edges. This ensures even rolling and prevents overfilling, which can lead to spills during frying.
Nutrition
Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 652mg | Potassium: 79mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 1mg
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