If you love crispy, flavorful Mexican dishes, chicken flautas are an absolute must in your kitchen. These golden rolls are made by filling corn tortillas with tender, shredded chicken, rolling them tightly, and frying them until they achieve the perfect crunch. Topped with fresh veggies, creamy sour cream, crumbly cheese, and zesty salsa, they combine a satisfying crispiness with vibrant flavors that your taste buds will adore.
Why We Love Chicken Flautas
There are countless reasons to love chicken flautas. First, the texture is unbeatable. Each flauta combines the crunch of a perfectly fried tortilla with the soft, juicy filling of seasoned chicken. This contrast makes every bite satisfying and memorable. You’ll enjoy the feeling of the crispy exterior giving way to tender chicken inside, complemented by fresh vegetables and creamy toppings.
Another reason to love flautas is their versatility. You can easily adjust the fillings and toppings to suit your preferences or dietary needs. Add more veggies for a lighter option, or include extra cheese for a richer, indulgent experience. You can even experiment with different salsas or sauces to create new flavor profiles while keeping the base recipe simple.
Flautas are also a crowd-pleaser. They are easy to serve and fun to eat, making them perfect for gatherings or family meals. Everyone gets to customize their own flauta with their preferred toppings, which adds an interactive and enjoyable element to your meal. Plus, they store well and can be reheated without losing too much of their crispiness, making them ideal for meal prep or leftovers.
Finally, chicken flautas capture the essence of Mexican cuisine in a way that is accessible for home cooks. They are flavorful without being overly complicated, making them an excellent choice if you want to enjoy authentic Mexican tastes without the stress of complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients for Chicken Flautas
To make delicious chicken flautas, you only need a handful of ingredients. These items are simple, easy to find, and allow the flavors of each component to shine.
- 12 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded chicken (about 2 chicken breasts; you can use rotisserie chicken for convenience)
- Olive oil or your choice of oil for frying
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded lettuce
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large tomato, diced
- Sour cream, to taste
- Queso fresco, crumbled, to taste
- Salsa verde, to taste
How to Make Chicken Flautas
Making chicken flautas is a fun and straightforward process. With a few key steps, you’ll end up with perfectly golden, crispy rolls ready to be topped and enjoyed.
Start by preparing all your toppings. Shred the lettuce, dice the tomato, slice the red onion, crumble the queso fresco, and set aside the sour cream and salsa. Having everything ready before frying the flautas ensures a smooth cooking process and makes plating faster and more efficient.
Next, heat a large skillet with enough oil to cover the bottom. Medium-high heat works best to get the oil hot enough for frying. Meanwhile, warm the corn tortillas so they become pliable. You can do this quickly in the microwave or on an ungreased skillet for a few seconds on each side. Soft, flexible tortillas make rolling the flautas easier and prevent cracking.
Place about two tablespoons of shredded chicken on one end of each tortilla. You can adjust the amount depending on how full you want the flautas. Roll the tortilla over the chicken tightly, tucking the end underneath to keep the seam closed. Repeat with all tortillas, keeping the seam down for frying.
Once your flautas are rolled, carefully add them seam-side down to the hot oil. Fry them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Fry each side for about five minutes or until golden and crispy. If the seam side is still soft after five minutes, leave it down for an additional two minutes to ensure it stays closed during frying.
After frying, transfer the flautas to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. This step helps maintain their crispiness while removing unwanted grease. Once drained, top your flautas with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, red onion, sour cream, queso fresco, and salsa verde. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
How to Serve Chicken Flautas
Serving chicken flautas is all about presentation and balance. Arrange them on a large platter or individual plates, seam-side down, to showcase their crisp, golden exterior. Add the toppings generously so each flauta has a colorful, appetizing look.
Consider pairing the flautas with side dishes like Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple avocado salad. The sides complement the crispy rolls and add more variety to your meal. You can also offer extra salsa or hot sauce on the side for those who enjoy a bit of heat.
Serving flautas family-style encourages sharing and adds a festive touch to your meal. Each person can grab a flauta and add their preferred toppings, making the experience interactive and fun. This approach not only makes the meal enjoyable but also allows everyone to customize their portion according to taste.
Expert Tips: Chicken Flautas
To make perfect chicken flautas every time, keep a few expert tips in mind. First, warm your tortillas before rolling. Cold tortillas are prone to cracking, which can cause the filling to spill during frying. A few seconds in the microwave or on a skillet will make them soft and pliable.
Second, ensure your oil is hot enough. If the oil is too cool, the flautas will absorb excess oil and become greasy rather than crispy. Test the oil by adding one flauta—if it sizzles immediately, the temperature is right.
Third, don’t overfill the tortillas. While it’s tempting to pack in lots of chicken, too much filling makes rolling difficult and can cause the seam to open during frying. Two tablespoons per tortilla is usually perfect.
Finally, drain fried flautas on paper towels or a wire rack. This prevents them from becoming soggy and keeps them crisp until you’re ready to serve. With these simple tips, your chicken flautas will be golden, crunchy, and delicious every time.
How to Store Chicken Flautas
If you have leftovers, storing chicken flautas properly ensures they stay tasty. Allow the flautas to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5–10 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make them soggy. Reheating in the oven or an air fryer helps restore their crispiness while keeping the chicken warm and tender.
Variation of Chicken Flautas
Chicken flautas are highly adaptable, so feel free to experiment with different fillings and toppings. For example, you can swap the chicken for shredded beef, turkey, or even a combination of beans and vegetables for a vegetarian version.
Try different salsas or sauces to create unique flavor profiles. A smoky chipotle sauce adds heat, while a tangy tomatillo sauce provides a fresh, zesty taste. You can also experiment with cheeses—substitute queso fresco with shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack for a richer flavor.
Vegetables can be varied as well. Add bell peppers, avocado slices, or pickled jalapeños for extra crunch and color. The beauty of flautas is that they are flexible, allowing you to customize them to suit your taste and occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chicken Flautas
What are chicken flautas?
Chicken flautas are corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken, rolled tightly, and fried until golden and crispy. They are often served with toppings like lettuce, tomato, sour cream, queso fresco, and salsa.
Can I make chicken flautas ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the flautas ahead of time. Keep them in the refrigerator until ready to fry. Fry them just before serving to maintain crispiness.
Can I bake chicken flautas instead of frying?
Yes, baking is an option for a healthier version. Brush the flautas with oil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes or until golden and crisp.
What toppings go best with chicken flautas?
Common toppings include shredded lettuce, diced tomato, sliced red onion, sour cream, crumbled queso fresco, and salsa verde. You can also add avocado, cilantro, or hot sauce according to your preference.
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Leftover chicken works perfectly. Shred it finely and use it as the filling. Rotisserie chicken is also a great time-saving option.
How can I keep flautas crispy after frying?
Drain them on paper towels or a wire rack immediately after frying. Serve promptly for the best texture. Reheating in the oven or air fryer will help maintain crispiness.
Chicken Flautas
Equipment
- Large Skillet
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 12 pieces corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded chicken (about 2 chicken breasts; rotisserie chicken works well)
- Olive oil (or your choice of oil for frying)
- 2 cups shredded lettuce for topping
- ¼ piece red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 large tomato (diced)
- Sour cream (to taste)
- Queso fresco (crumbled, to taste)
- Salsa verde (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare all toppings: shred lettuce, dice tomato, slice red onion, crumble queso fresco, and set aside sour cream and salsa.
- Heat a large skillet with enough oil to cover the bottom over medium-high heat. Warm corn tortillas until pliable, either in the microwave or on an ungreased skillet.
- Place about two tablespoons of shredded chicken on one end of each tortilla. Roll tightly and tuck the ends underneath to keep the seam closed.
- Carefully add rolled flautas seam-side down to the hot oil in batches. Fry each side for about five minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Transfer fried flautas to a baking sheet lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Top flautas with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, red onion, sour cream, queso fresco, and salsa verde. Serve immediately.
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