Crispy Fiesta Chicken Flautas Recipe: A Zesty Family Favorite

Crispy, golden chicken flautas dance with zesty flavors that spark serious Mexican street food magic.

These rolled tortilla treasures pack incredible taste into every delightful bite.

Crunchy exteriors give way to tender, seasoned meat that melts in your mouth.

Imagine creating restaurant-quality appetizers right in your kitchen with simple ingredients.

Quick and easy preparation means you can whip up these crowd-pleasers in under 30 minutes.

Vibrant garnishes like fresh salsa and creamy avocado will elevate your flautas from good to absolutely incredible.

Come hungry and ready to impress everyone at the table with this mouthwatering culinary adventure.

Quick Answers About Chicken Flautas

• What are flautas and how do they differ from taquitos?

Flautas are similar to taquitos but typically use flour tortillas and are slightly longer, while taquitos often use corn tortillas and are shorter. Both are rolled and filled with meat, then fried or baked until crispy.

• Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?

Yes, you can substitute corn tortillas, but they might be more prone to cracking. If using corn tortillas, warm them slightly first to make them more pliable and less likely to break while rolling.

• How can I prevent my flautas from unrolling during cooking?

Secure the flautas with toothpicks before frying or baking, or place them seam-side down in the pan. The heat will help seal the edge and keep them rolled tightly.

• Is it necessary to use cheese in the filling?

While cheese adds flavor and helps bind the filling, it’s optional. You can make flautas without cheese or substitute with a dairy-free alternative if needed.

Reasons People Like Chicken Flautas

• Customize Your Flavor Explosion: Pack these flautas with a personal spice twist by adjusting cumin, chili powder, and salsa to match your taste preferences, making each batch uniquely delicious.
• Cooking Flexibility Masters: Enjoy the freedom of choosing between frying or baking, perfect for different dietary needs and kitchen equipment, without compromising on that irresistible crispy texture.
• Quick Weeknight Dinner Champion: Whip up these flautas in under 30 minutes using simple ingredients, transforming leftover chicken into a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies both kids and adults with minimal effort.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Create an impressive dish using common pantry staples like tortillas, chicken, cheese, and basic spices, proving gourmet-level flavor doesn't require complicated shopping lists.

Items You’ll Need For Chicken Flautas

Main Ingredients:

• Shredded Chicken: Main protein filling with rich, tender meat that provides hearty flavor.
• Cheese: Adds creamy, melty texture and enhances overall taste of the flauta.

• Tortillas: Thin, soft corn or flour wraps that create the crispy exterior and hold the filling.

• Salsa: Brings tangy, zesty moisture and additional flavor complexity to the filling.
• Cumin: Warm, earthy spice that adds depth to the chicken mixture.
• Chili Powder: Provides a mild, slightly spicy kick to the filling.
• Garlic Powder: Offers subtle, aromatic background flavor.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance all other ingredients.

• Cooking Oil: Needed for frying or brushing before baking to create a crisp, golden exterior.
• Toothpicks: Optional tool to secure flautas during preparation if needed.

Cooking Chicken Flautas Made Simple

Step 1: Craft Delectable Chicken Filling

• Shredded chicken
• Cheese
• Salsa
• Cumin
• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until everything blends together beautifully. The mixture should look colorful and smell absolutely mouthwatering.

Step 2: Roll Up Your Flavor Treasures

Warm your tortillas slightly to make them more flexible. Place a generous scoop of chicken mixture along one edge of each tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly, tucking in the sides as you go. If needed, use a toothpick to keep the roll secure.

Step 3: Crisp Up Your Culinary Creation

You have two awesome cooking methods:

Frying Option:

Heat oil in a skillet until it shimmers. Gently place flautas seam-side down in the hot oil. Cook until each side turns a gorgeous golden brown. The sizzling sound means deliciousness is happening! Remove and let excess oil drain on paper towels.

Baking Option:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange flautas on a lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with oil for extra crispiness. Bake until they transform into crunchy, golden delights. Flip halfway through cooking for even browning.

Step 4: Serve and Celebrate

Transfer your stunning flautas to a serving plate. Pair with fresh salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping. Enjoy your homemade Mexican-inspired feast!

Helpful Tips For Chicken Flautas

• Prevent Soggy Filling: Pat chicken dry before shredding to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp and flavorful flauta without a watery texture.
• Seal Tight Technique: Use a toothpick or place flautas seam-side down to prevent unrolling during cooking, keeping the delicious filling securely inside.
• Oil Temperature Mastery: Maintain medium heat when frying to achieve a perfectly golden-brown exterior without burning the tortilla or overcooking the filling.
• Baking Brilliance: Brush flautas lightly with oil before baking to create a crispy, crunchy exterior that mimics the deep-fried version with less added fat.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the filling in advance and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze assembled uncooked flautas for a quick and easy meal later.

How To Keep Chicken Flautas Tasting Good

• Refrigerate leftover flautas in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
• Keep them separated by placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Reheat in the oven at 350F (175C) for 10-12 minutes to maintain their crispy texture and restore their delicious crunch.
• Freeze cooled flautas in a freezer-safe container for maximum 2 months – wrap each flauta individually in plastic wrap before storing to prevent freezer burn and preserve flavor.
• When ready to enjoy frozen flautas, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until warmed through and crispy.

Top Matches For Chicken Flautas Meals

• Complement with Cool and Creamy Dips: Pair the crispy chicken flautas with zesty sour cream, tangy guacamole, or refreshing salsa verde to balance the rich, crunchy texture and add a cool contrast.
• Serve with Vibrant Mexican-Inspired Sides: Create a complete meal with Mexican rice, black beans, or a fresh corn and avocado salad that echoes the flavorful Tex-Mex profile of the flautas.
• Match with Bright Beverage Pairings: Enhance the meal with a cold Mexican beer like Corona or Modelo, a citrusy margarita, or a crisp agua fresca to cut through the richness and refresh the palate.
• Create a Quick Flavor-Packed Garnish: Top flautas with fresh cilantro, diced onions, or a sprinkle of crumbled queso fresco to add extra layers of texture and brightness to the dish.

Creative Takes On Chicken Flautas

• Spicy Southwest Chicken Flautas: Add diced jalapeños and swap salsa for green chili sauce to create a zesty, heat-packed version that brings bold Mexican flavors to your plate.
• Creamy Ranch Chicken Flautas: Mix ranch seasoning into the chicken filling and serve with ranch dressing for dipping, transforming the classic recipe into a tangy crowd-pleaser.
• Green Chile Chicken Flautas: Incorporate roasted green chiles and use pepper jack cheese for an authentic New Mexico-inspired preparation with smoky, robust undertones.
• Vegetarian Black Bean Flautas: Replace chicken with seasoned black beans, add corn kernels, and use cotija cheese for a protein-packed vegetarian alternative that keeps the traditional crispy texture.

Chicken Flautas Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Mexican chicken flautas deliver a crispy, golden crunch with tender spiced chicken wrapped in warm tortillas. Zesty salsa and creamy sour cream complete this irresistible dish you’ll devour in just a few delightful bites.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)

Seasonings and Sauces:

• ½ cup (120 ml) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) salsa or enchilada sauce
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Wrappers and Cooking Fat:

• 8 small flour tortillas (or corn tortillas, warmed)
• Vegetable oil, for frying or brushing if baking

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded lettuce
• Sour cream or crema
• Guacamole
• Pico de gallo or salsa
• Crumbled queso fresco
• Chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Prepare a zesty mixture by blending tender, shredded chicken with melted cheese, vibrant salsa, aromatic cumin, spicy chili powder, pungent garlic powder, and a balanced touch of salt and pepper until the ingredients meld harmoniously.
2. Lay out soft tortillas and carefully distribute the flavorful chicken blend along one edge, ensuring an even spread that promises a burst of taste in every bite.
3. Gently roll each tortilla into a tight cylinder, creating slender tubes of deliciousness that capture the essence of the filling.
4. For a crispy exterior, select your preferred cooking method: pan-frying or oven-baking.
5. When pan-frying, heat a generous layer of oil in a skillet until it shimmers with anticipation, then carefully place the rolled flautas seam-side down, allowing them to transform into golden-brown delicacies.
6. Alternatively, for a lighter approach, arrange the flautas on a prepared baking sheet, lightly brushing with oil to encourage a crisp exterior.
7. If frying, cook each batch for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, watching for a rich, amber color that signals perfect crispness.
8. For oven method, bake at 400°F, rotating midway to ensure even browning, until the exterior achieves a satisfying crunch.
9. Once cooked, transfer to absorbent paper to eliminate excess oil, creating a delightfully crisp and light texture.

Notes

• Customize the filling by mixing in diced bell peppers or corn for extra texture and nutrition.
• Swap chicken for black beans or pulled pork to create vegetarian or alternative protein options.
• Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free version, ensuring they’re soft and pliable before rolling to prevent cracking.
• Enhance flavor by marinating chicken beforehand in lime juice, cilantro, and additional spices for a more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg