Crunchy Chicken Flautas Recipe: Family’s Favorite Fiesta Treat

Tortillas crisp up with golden-brown chicken flautas that promise a delightful crunch in every single bite.

Packed with savory seasoned meat and melted cheese, these Mexican-inspired rolls spark serious excitement at dinner tables.

Each flauta brings layers of bold flavors and irresistible texture to your plate.

Authentic spices dance through tender chicken, creating a mouthwatering experience that transports you straight to street food heaven.

Quick to prepare and even faster to devour, these flautas transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

The combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior ensures everyone at the table will be asking for seconds.

Serve these flautas hot and watch as hungry faces light up with pure culinary joy.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 360 kcal

Servings: 5

Simple Ingredients For Chicken Flautas

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein that provides hearty texture and rich flavor, best when freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken for maximum juiciness.
• Cheese: Melty binding element that adds creamy richness and helps hold filling together, choose a sharp cheddar or Mexican blend for best taste.

• Salsa: Adds zesty moisture and complex flavor profile, select fresh or jarred salsa with balanced spice levels.
• Cumin: Earthy spice that delivers authentic Mexican depth, opt for freshly ground for most vibrant taste.
• Chili Powder: Provides warm heat and distinctive southwestern character, select medium-grade for balanced spiciness.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers concentrated aromatic undertone, ensures even seasoning distribution.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, use kosher or sea salt for cleaner taste.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle background warmth, freshly ground offers most robust flavor.

• Tortillas: Flexible corn or flour base that creates crispy exterior, choose fresh, pliable tortillas without cracks.
• Toothpicks: Optional securing tool to prevent unrolling during cooking, use wooden picks for best results.

Best Tools To Fry Chicken Flautas

• Large Skillet or Baking Sheet: Essential for cooking flautas, depending on frying or baking method.
• Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining chicken, cheese, and spices to create the delicious filling.
• Cutting Board: Great for shredding chicken and preparing ingredients.
• Tongs: Helpful for carefully turning flautas while frying or baking.
• Toothpicks: Optional for securing flautas during rolling if needed.
• Paper Towels: Useful for draining excess oil after frying.
• Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning of the filling.

Instructions For Rolling Chicken Flautas

• Create Zesty Chicken Mixture

Toss shredded chicken with cheese, vibrant salsa, and a blend of warm spices to develop a mouthwatering filling that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Roll and Wrap Flautas

Spread the tangy mixture onto soft tortillas, rolling them tightly into perfect cylindrical bundles of deliciousness.

• Crisp to Golden Perfection

Fry the rolled tortillas in sizzling oil until they transform into crunchy, golden-brown delights, or bake them in a hot oven for a slightly lighter version. If frying, cook each side until beautifully crisp. If baking, brush with a touch of oil and rotate halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. Remove when they’re gloriously golden and crackling with flavor.

Tips For Extra Crunch In Flautas

• Perfect Crispiness Hack: Roll tortillas tightly and secure with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during cooking, ensuring a perfectly crisp exterior every single time.
• Healthier Baking Option: Skip deep-frying and opt for oven-baked flautas by brushing with a light olive oil coating, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining a satisfying crunch.
• Protein Swap Alternatives: Experiment with different protein options like shredded beef, pulled pork, or black beans for vegetarian guests to create diverse flavor profiles and accommodate various dietary preferences.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas to make the recipe naturally gluten-free, perfect for individuals with wheat sensitivities or celiac disease.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare filling and assemble flautas in advance, storing them uncooked in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, then fry or bake just before serving for maximum convenience and fresh flavor.

Ways To Plate Chicken Flautas

• Party Plate Paradise: Arrange flautas on a colorful platter surrounded by vibrant garnishes like fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and sliced avocado for a festive presentation.
• Dip Delight: Serve with multiple sauces such as creamy guacamole, zesty sour cream, tangy salsa verde, or smooth queso for guests to customize their flavor experience.
• Fiesta Side Companions: Complement flautas with Mexican-inspired sides like Mexican rice, black beans, street corn salad, or a crisp cabbage slaw to create a complete and satisfying meal.
• Fresh Finish: Top with extra chopped fresh herbs, crumbled cotija cheese, or a sprinkle of pickled jalapeños to add bright flavor and texture contrast right before serving.

Storing Chicken Flautas Without Softening

• Tasty Meal Prep Magic: Prepping chicken flautas ahead can save you time and energy during busy weekdays.
• Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Wrap cooled flautas in aluminum foil or store in airtight containers, keeping them fresh for 34 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Layer flautas between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. They'll stay delicious for up to 2 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating Revival Trick: Crisp frozen or refrigerated flautas in a preheated oven at 375°F for 1015 minutes, ensuring they regain their signature crunch without becoming soggy.

Crispy Chicken Flautas Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican chicken flautas blend crispy tortillas with savory shredded chicken for a delightful appetizer or main course. Creamy, zesty, and packed with flavor, you’ll crave these golden rolls that showcase traditional Latin American culinary magic.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
• ½ cup (120 ml) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
• 8 small flour tortillas (or corn tortillas, warmed)
• ¼ cup (60 ml) salsa or enchilada sauce
• Vegetable oil, for frying or brushing if baking
• ½ tsp ground cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ¼ tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Shredded lettuce
• Sour cream or crema
• Guacamole
• Pico de gallo or salsa
• Crumbled queso fresco
• Chopped cilantro

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Instructions

1. Flavor Fusion: Combine shredded chicken, cheese, salsa, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a cohesive, aromatic mixture that promises explosive taste.
2. Assembly Technique: Position tortillas and distribute the chicken blend along one edge, creating a uniform filling that ensures maximum flavor in each bite.
3. Rolling Method: Tightly roll tortillas into compact cylinders, sealing the flavorful contents within a thin, crisp wrapper.
4. Cooking Strategy: Choose between two culinary approaches – pan-frying or oven-baking to achieve a perfectly crisp exterior.
5. Pan-Frying Technique: Heat oil in a skillet until shimmering, then place flautas seam-side down, cooking until they transform into golden-brown delicacies with a crackling exterior.
6. Oven-Baking Alternative: Arrange flautas on a baking sheet, lightly brushing with oil and positioning in a preheated 400°F oven, rotating midway to guarantee uniform crispness.
7. Finishing Touch: Transfer cooked flautas to absorbent paper, allowing excess oil to drain and creating a light, crisp texture that elevates the overall dining experience.

Notes

• Control Chicken Moisture: Pat shredded chicken thoroughly dry before mixing to prevent soggy flautas and ensure maximum crispiness.
• Secure Rolling Technique: Use toothpicks to hold tortilla edges closed if needed, preventing filling from spilling during cooking.
• Oil Temperature Matters: Maintain consistent medium-high heat around 350-375°F for even, golden-brown exterior without burning.
• Healthier Alternatives: Replace traditional frying with air fryer or baking method for reduced oil consumption without compromising crispy texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg