If you are craving a crunchy, flavorful snack or an impressive party appetizer, this Chicken Flautas Recipe is an absolute winner. Each flauta is a golden, crispy bundle packed with tender shredded chicken, melted cheese, and just the right kick of spices, all wrapped in a perfectly toasted tortilla. Fried to perfection and served with fresh toppings, these flautas bring together textures and flavors that make every bite irresistible. Whether it’s a casual get-together or just a craving for Mexican-inspired comfort food, this recipe will quickly become one of your favorites to make and share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Simple, everyday ingredients come together in this Chicken Flautas Recipe to create authentic flavors and a satisfying crunch. Each component plays a key role in balancing taste, texture, and color to make the dish truly special.
- Vegetable or canola oil: Essential for frying, this oil helps achieve that crispy, golden exterior without overpowering the filling.
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken: The hearty, savory star of the filling, bringing protein and a juicy bite.
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese: Adds creamy richness and helps bind the filling ingredients together.
- ½ cup salsa: Introduces a zesty, tangy moisture to complement the chicken perfectly.
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced chiles: Infuses a mild heat and vibrant flavor, elevating the filling.
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes: Brings subtle herbaceous notes and a savory punch to the mix.
- Pepper: Just a touch to enhance overall flavor without overpowering.
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas): The crispy, sturdy wrapper that holds the flavorful filling tightly.
- Salt: Sprinkled after frying to brighten and balance the flavors.
- Shredded lettuce: For fresh crunch when serving—adds color and cool contrast.
- Chopped tomatoes: Bright and juicy, perfect for topping.
- Green salsa: Offers a tangy, vibrant finishing touch to the flautas.
- Guacamole: Creamy richness that pairs beautifully with the crisp exterior.
- Cilantro Ranch dressing: Adds a refreshing herbaceous creaminess as a dip or drizzle.
How to Make Chicken Flautas Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Space
Start by preheating your oven to the warm setting, around 200°F. This will keep your flautas hot and crispy while you finish frying all of them. Setting up a foil-lined baking sheet is a smart way to ensure they stay perfect until serving.
Step 2: Heat the Oil
Fill a large saucepan with about three-quarters of an inch of vegetable or canola oil and heat it over medium heat. Aim for a temperature of 375°F, which is ideal to get that perfect golden crunch without absorbing too much oil.
Step 3: Make the Chicken Filling
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Mexican blend cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper. This mix is where the magic happens — the salsa adds moisture and tang, the cheeses melt during frying, and the chiles give a subtle heat. Mix everything well, ensuring each bite will be bursting with flavor.
Step 4: Assemble the Flautas
Work with about four tortillas at a time to keep things manageable. Spread a generous spoonful of the chicken filling along the center of each tortilla. The key here is to not overfill, so rolling is easier and the tortillas crisp up nicely. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling and secure them with a toothpick to keep everything snug during frying.
Step 5: Fry to Crispy Perfection
Carefully use tongs to lower each flauta into the hot oil. Fry each side for about two minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown. The sizzling sound and aroma will be irresistible! Once fried, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil, then sprinkle lightly with salt.
Step 6: Keep Warm and Repeat
Place the fried flautas on the foil-lined baking sheet and keep them warm in the preheated oven. Continue frying the remaining tortillas in batches, ensuring each flauta stays crispy and warm until serving time.
How to Serve Chicken Flautas Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your Chicken Flautas Recipe with fresh, vibrant garnishes like shredded lettuce that adds a cool crunch, diced tomatoes for a juicy pop, and a drizzle of green salsa that brings a tangy brightness. A scoop of creamy guacamole and a side of cilantro ranch dressing create a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making each bite even more enjoyable.
Side Dishes
These flautas pair wonderfully with light sides that complement their richness. Simple Mexican rice, refried beans, or a fresh cabbage slaw are excellent choices. The side dishes should enhance the meal without stealing the spotlight from your golden, crispy flautas.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive touch, arrange your Chicken Flautas Recipe on a large serving platter layered with lettuce leaves and colorful chopped tomatoes. Serve individual portions with small bowls of guacamole, salsa, and cilantro ranch so everyone can customize their own. You can also stack them like little taquitos and sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco and fresh cilantro for an elegant look.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover flautas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To keep them from getting soggy, place a paper towel between layers to absorb moisture and maintain crispness.
Freezing
These flautas freeze beautifully either cooked or uncooked. To freeze cooked flautas, cool completely, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Uncooked, roll the flautas and freeze on a sheet tray for an hour before storing to prevent sticking. They keep well for up to two months.
Reheating
Reheat frozen or refrigerated flautas in a preheated oven at 375°F until hot and crispy, about 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving as it tends to make them soggy. Using the oven or a toaster oven helps preserve that signature flauta crunch you love.
FAQs
Can I make Chicken Flautas Recipe with corn tortillas?
Absolutely! Corn tortillas add a lovely authentic flavor and a slightly different texture, though they can be a bit more delicate to roll. Just warm them before filling to make rolling easier and reduce cracking.
What’s the best cheese to use in Chicken Flautas Recipe?
A Mexican blend cheese is perfect because it melts beautifully and offers a balance of sharpness and creaminess. You can also use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix if preferred.
Is it possible to bake the flautas instead of frying?
Yes, baking is a healthier alternative. Brush the rolled flautas with a little oil and bake at 425°F on a foil-lined baking sheet for about 15-20 minutes until crisp and golden, turning halfway through.
How spicy is this Chicken Flautas Recipe?
The recipe has a mild to medium heat level, mainly from the diced chiles. You can easily adjust the spiciness by using milder or hotter chiles or by adding extra salsa to taste.
Can I use leftover rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Leftover rotisserie chicken is actually perfect here. It saves time and adds rich flavor. Just make sure to shred it finely for the best texture inside the flautas.
Final Thoughts
Nothing beats the satisfaction of biting into a crunchy, warm Chicken Flautas Recipe straight from your kitchen. This recipe is not only delicious but fun to make and share with friends or family. Once you try it, you’ll see just how easy and rewarding homemade flautas can be. So, gather those simple ingredients and get ready to enjoy a true crowd-pleaser packed with flavor and crispy delight!
Print
Chicken Flautas Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
This Chicken Flautas recipe features crispy, golden rolled tortillas filled with a flavorful mixture of shredded chicken, cheese, salsa, and diced chiles. Perfectly fried to a crunchy finish and served with fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing, these flautas make a delightful appetizer or main dish that’s quick to prepare and irresistible to eat.
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (or shredded beef)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ½ cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced chiles
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Tortillas
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
For Frying
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying (enough to fill saucepan about ¾ inch deep, heated to 375°F)
Seasoning and Serving
- Salt, to taste
- Shredded lettuce, for serving
- Chopped tomatoes, for serving
- Green salsa, for serving
- Guacamole, for serving
- Cilantro Ranch dressing, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare oil: Preheat your oven to the warm setting, about 200°F, to keep the flautas warm after frying. Then, pour vegetable or canola oil into a large saucepan to about ¾ inch depth and heat it over medium heat until it reaches 375°F, ready for frying.
- Make the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded Mexican blend cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt with parsley flakes, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients for a flavorful filling.
- Fill and roll tortillas: Working with about four tortillas at a time, lay each tortilla flat and place a heaping spoonful of the chicken filling along the center. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, then secure it with a toothpick to prevent it from unraveling during frying.
- Fry the flautas: Using tongs, carefully place each rolled flauta into the hot oil. Fry them until the outside is golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the fried flautas and drain on a paper towel–lined plate. Sprinkle them lightly with salt while still hot for extra flavor.
- Keep flautas warm: Transfer the fried flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and place them in the preheated warm oven. This step ensures they stay hot and crisp while you fry the remaining tortillas.
- Serve: Serve the flautas warm topped or accompanied by shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing. Enjoy these crispy, savory delights as an appetizer or main course.
Notes
- Use flour or corn tortillas according to your preference; corn tortillas will be slightly more delicate but add authentic flavor.
- Ensure the oil is at the correct temperature (375°F) before frying to achieve crispiness without absorbing excess oil.
- Secure each flauta with toothpicks to prevent the filling from spilling out during frying.
- You can substitute the shredded chicken with shredded beef for a variation.
- Keep the fried flautas warm in the oven to maintain texture and temperature if frying in batches.
- Serve immediately with fresh toppings for the best taste and texture.
