Chicken Flautas

Chicken Flautas: Crispy, Flavor-Packed Mexican Comfort Food

Craving something crispy, flavorful, and perfect for dipping? These Chicken Flautas are the answer! Flautas are rolled tortillas filled with a delicious chicken and cheese mixture, fried to golden perfection. Whether you’re serving them for dinner, as a party appetizer, or simply as a snack, they’re sure to be a hit. Pair them with your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, and cilantro ranch for an irresistible meal everyone will love.

Ingredients:

For the Flautas:

• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (or shredded beef)
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 (4 oz) can diced chiles
• Garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
• Salt, to taste

Toppings:

• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Green salsa
• Guacamole
• Cilantro Ranch dressing

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to the warm setting or around 200°F (95°C). This will help keep the flautas warm after frying.
2. Prepare the Oil:
   • Fill a large saucepan with about 3/4 inch of vegetable or canola oil. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 375°F (190°C). The oil should be hot but not smoking, ready for frying the flautas.
3. Make the Chicken Filling:
   • In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken, shredded Mexican blend cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper until everything is evenly combined.
4. Assemble the Flautas:
   • Working with about 4 tortillas at a time, place a heaping spoonful of the chicken mixture along the center of each tortilla.
   • Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and secure each with a toothpick to ensure they stay closed while frying.
5. Fry the Flautas:
   • Using tongs, gently hold each flauta in the hot oil until firm, then release it to continue frying. This ensures they don’t unroll while frying.
   • Fry the flautas for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
   • Remove the fried flautas to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, and immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
6. Keep the Flautas Warm:
   • Transfer the fried flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven to keep them warm while you cook the remaining batches.
7. Serve:
   • Serve the crispy, golden flautas warm with your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, or Cilantro Ranch dressing. Enjoy!

Tips:

• Tortilla Choice: You can use either flour or corn tortillas for these flautas, depending on your preference. Flour tortillas will give you a softer, chewier bite, while corn tortillas offer a crispier texture.
• Make Ahead: Prepare the chicken filling ahead of time and assemble the flautas when you’re ready to fry for quicker preparation.
• Baking Option: If you prefer to avoid frying, you can bake the flautas at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through until golden and crispy.

Quick Facts:

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Servings: 12 flautas
• Calories: 290 kcal per serving

These Chicken Flautas are crunchy on the outside, filled with cheesy chicken goodness on the inside, and can be customized with a variety of toppings for a perfect meal. Whether you serve them for a party or a family dinner, they’re guaranteed to disappear quickly. Enjoy them with salsa, guacamole, and a dollop of cilantro ranch for a full-flavored fiesta on your plate!

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