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
Scale
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.
