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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
Chicken Flautas
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
Chicken Flautas are a delicious and crispy Mexican dish, perfect for any occasion. These rolled tortillas are filled with a savory combination of shredded chicken, cheese, salsa, and diced chiles, then fried to golden perfection. With each bite, you get a satisfying crunch followed by the cheesy, flavorful filling.
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
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to the warm setting or around 200°F (95°C) to keep the flautas warm after frying.
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).
Make the Chicken Filling:
In a medium bowl, mix the shredded chicken, shredded cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper.
Assemble the Flautas:
Working with 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 them with a toothpick.
Fry the Flautas:
Using tongs, gently hold each flauta in the hot oil until firm, then release it to continue frying. Fry for about 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the fried flautas to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt immediately.
Keep the Flautas Warm:
Transfer the fried flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and keep them warm in the preheated oven while you cook the remaining tortillas.
Serve:
Serve the crispy flautas warm with your choice of toppings, such as shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, or Cilantro Ranch dressing. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 290