Crispy Chicken Flautas Recipe: Irresistible Homemade Delight

Crispy chicken flautas refine ordinary ingredients into a mouthwatering Mexican delight that sparks culinary excitement.

These rolled tortilla treasures pack incredible flavor and texture into every delectable bite.

Authentic street food techniques blend seamlessly with home cooking creativity, producing a dish that feels both familiar and innovative.

Perfectly seasoned meat wrapped in a golden, crunchy exterior creates an irresistible sensory experience that beckons hungry diners.

The magic happens when simple components merge into something extraordinary, elevating everyday ingredients to gourmet status.

Small details like precise rolling and strategic frying make all the difference between good and phenomenal flautas.

Cultural traditions meet modern kitchen techniques, resulting in a crowd-pleasing meal you cannot resist.

Reasons to Love Chicken Flautas for Any Occasion

• Unleash Flavor Explosion: Packed with zesty salsa, spicy chiles, and perfectly seasoned chicken, these flautas deliver a mouthwatering taste adventure that will wake up your taste buds.
• Create Crispy Perfection: The golden-brown exterior provides an irresistible crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, melted cheese and tender chicken filling inside.
• Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe comes together in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights, game day gatherings, or spontaneous dinner parties with friends and family.
• Customize Your Feast: Versatile toppings like fresh lettuce, tangy salsa, or creamy guacamole let everyone personalize their flautas and enjoy a unique dining experience.

Ingredients Checklist for Chicken Flautas

• Chicken: Shredded chicken is the star protein, tender and flavorful for the filling.
• Cheese: Adds richness and melty texture to the chicken mixture.

• Tortillas: Corn tortillas provide the crispy wrapper for the filling, traditional Mexican style.
• Garlic Salt: Enhances overall flavor with a savory punch.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the chicken mixture.

• Salsa: Brings moisture and zesty flavor to the chicken filling.
• Green Chiles: Adds mild heat and complexity to the filling.

• Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: Perfect for deep frying, creates crispy golden exterior.

• Lettuce: Fresh and crunchy topping for added texture.
• Tomatoes: Bright and fresh garnish.
• Green Salsa: Tangy and spicy condiment.
• Guacamole: Creamy and rich topping.
• Cilantro Ranch Dressing: Herbal and creamy sauce for dipping.

How to Roll and Cook Chicken Flautas

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Set your oven to its lowest temperature setting around 200°F to keep flautas crispy after cooking.

Step 2: Prepare Cooking Oil

Select a large saucepan and fill it with vegetable oil about 3/4 inch deep. Heat the oil on medium until it reaches 375°F.

Step 3: Create Flavor-Packed Filling

• Shredded chicken
• Crumbled cheese
• Zesty salsa
• Chopped green chiles
• Garlic seasoning
• Ground black pepper

Mix thoroughly until well blended.

Step 4: Roll Delicious Tortilla Bundles

Lay out soft tortillas and apply a generous spoonful of chicken mixture down the center. Carefully roll each tortilla tightly, securing with a toothpick to prevent unraveling.

Step 5: Crisp Up The Flautas

Use tongs to carefully lower each rolled tortilla into hot oil. Hold briefly until firm, then release to fry completely. Cook for approximately 2 minutes until golden brown and crunchy.

Step 6: Drain And Season

Transfer fried flautas onto a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with salt immediately for extra flavor.

Step 7: Keep Flautas Toasty

Move cooked flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet inside the warm oven while preparing remaining batches.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

• Fresh shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Green salsa
• Creamy guacamole
• Cilantro ranch dressing

Bon appétit!

Tips to Keep Flautas Extra Crispy

• Choose Fresh Tortillas: Select soft, pliable corn tortillas that won't crack when rolling to ensure a crispy, tight flauta.
• Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 375°F oil to prevent soggy or burnt flautas, using a kitchen thermometer for accuracy.
• Drain Excess Moisture: Pat chicken completely dry before mixing to avoid soggy filling and prevent oil splattering during frying.
• Secure Tightly: Use toothpicks strategically to keep flautas sealed and prevent filling from spilling out during frying.
• Batch Fry Carefully: Work in small batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure each flauta gets perfectly golden and crispy.

Reheating and Saving Chicken Flautas

• Refrigerate: Place cooled flautas in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping them crispy and fresh.
• Reheat in Oven: Spread flautas on a baking sheet, bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until heated through and crispy, restoring their original crunch.
• Freeze Option: Wrap individual flautas tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months, thawing in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Chicken Flautas with the Right Sides

• Spice Up with Zesty Margaritas: Complement the crispy, savory chicken flautas with a tangy classic margarita that cuts through the richness and adds a refreshing citrus kick.
• Cool Down with Fresh Salsa: Pair the hot, crunchy flautas with a vibrant pico de gallo or fresh tomato salsa to balance the deep-fried texture and add bright, acidic notes.
• Create Creamy Contrast: Serve alongside a cool, smooth guacamole or sour cream-based dip to provide a creamy counterpoint to the crisp exterior of the flautas.
• Match with Mexican Slaw: Add a light, crunchy cabbage slaw dressed with lime and cilantro to introduce a fresh, zesty element that complements the rich chicken filling.

Chicken Flautas Recipe Variants

• Beef Fiesta Flautas: Swap chicken with seasoned ground beef mixed with taco spices for a hearty alternative that brings bold flavors to your plate.
• Vegetarian Bean Rolls: Replace chicken with black beans, corn, and diced bell peppers to create a plant-based version packed with protein and southwestern flair.
• Seafood Crispy Rolls: Use shredded crab or chopped shrimp combined with cream cheese and green onions for an elegant seafood-inspired transformation that adds gourmet appeal to classic flautas.
• Breakfast Egg Flautas: Incorporate scrambled eggs, crispy bacon bits, and cheddar cheese to craft a morning-friendly variation perfect for weekend brunch or quick breakfast options.

Chicken Flautas Recipe

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4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mexican chicken flautas roll crispy tortillas around tender, spiced chicken for a delightful appetizer or main course. Savory seasonings and golden-brown edges make these irresistible bites perfect for sharing with friends and family.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins and Cheese:

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

Seasonings and Sauces:

• ½ cup salsa
• 1 (4 ounces) can diced chiles
• Garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste

Wrapping and Cooking Ingredients:

• 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas
• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying

Toppings:

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

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Instructions

1. Establish a cozy warming zone in the oven at 200°F (95°C) to maintain the flautas’ crisp texture after cooking.
2. Select a large, deep saucepan and generously fill with vegetable or canola oil, positioning it over medium heat until the temperature reaches a precise 375°F (190°C).
3. Create a vibrant filling by combining shredded chicken with melted cheese, zesty salsa, roasted green chiles, aromatic garlic salt, and a whisper of black pepper in a mixing bowl.
4. Lay out soft tortillas and distribute the chicken mixture strategically along the center, ensuring an even spread across each wrapper.
5. Skillfully roll each tortilla into a tight cylinder, securing the edges with a carefully placed toothpick to prevent unraveling during frying.
6. Immerse the rolled flautas into the sizzling oil, using tongs to gently stabilize each one until the exterior becomes firm and golden brown.
7. Transfer the crispy flautas onto a paper towel-lined surface, immediately seasoning with a light sprinkle of salt to enhance their flavor profile.
8. Arrange the freshly fried flautas on a foil-lined baking sheet, maintaining their warmth and crispness in the preheated oven.
9. Present the flautas with an array of vibrant accompaniments like crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy green salsa, creamy guacamole, or a refreshing cilantro ranch dressing.

Notes

• Prep Efficiency: Shred chicken and cheese ahead of time to streamline the flauta-making process and reduce cooking stress.
• Oil Temperature Matters: Use a cooking thermometer to ensure the oil hits exactly 375°F for perfectly crispy, non-greasy flautas.
• Toothpick Trick: Secure rolled tortillas with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during frying and maintain a neat, compact shape.
• Frying Pro Tip: Work in small batches to maintain consistent oil temperature and prevent overcrowding, which leads to soggy flautas.
• Texture Magic: Pat chicken mixture dry before filling to prevent soggy tortillas and ensure a crisp, golden exterior.
• Serving Suggestion: Prepare toppings in advance and arrange on a platter for a fun, interactive meal that lets everyone customize their plate.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg