If you’re craving something crispy, cheesy, and absolutely packed with flavor, look no further than this Chicken Flautas Recipe. These rolled tacos are a staple in many Mexican kitchens, and for good reason: each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory shredded chicken, melty cheese, and zesty salsa, all wrapped up in a golden, crunchy tortilla. Whether you’re looking for a quick family dinner or a crowd-pleasing party snack, this recipe is a guaranteed hit that comes together faster than you’d think!
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the things I love about this Chicken Flautas Recipe is how simple the ingredients are—each one plays an important role in building up those irresistible flavors and textures. Don’t skip on anything; these basics come together to make pure magic!
- Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie or leftover chicken works wonders and soaks up flavor beautifully.
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese: Melts into gooey perfection inside every flauta.
- Salsa or enchilada sauce: Adds tang, moisture, and a pop of color—pick your favorite for a custom twist.
- Ground cumin: Brings that classic earthy, smoky note that makes flautas so addictive.
- Garlic powder: Enhances the savory depth without overpowering the filling.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning everything just right—taste as you go!
- Small flour tortillas: Easy to roll and fry, they crisp up beautifully—use gluten-free if needed.
- Oil for frying or spraying: Choose a neutral oil like canola for frying, or a spray for baking/air frying to get that crave-worthy crunch.
How to Make Chicken Flautas Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Filling
Start by grabbing a medium bowl and tossing in your shredded chicken, cheese, salsa or enchilada sauce, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good mix until it’s evenly combined—the salsa should make the filling juicy and just a little sticky, perfect for rolling.
Step 2: Warm the Tortillas
To keep your tortillas from tearing, warm them for about 20 seconds in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel, or heat them gently on a skillet. This step makes them soft and flexible, so they roll up snug without cracks.
Step 3: Fill and Roll
Lay out a tortilla and spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in a line down the center. Roll it up tightly like a cigar, and if you’re worried about it unraveling, secure the seam with a toothpick. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas and filling.
Step 4: Fry, Bake, or Air Fry
Now, choose your crisping adventure! For classic flautas, heat about an inch of oil in a skillet to 350°F and fry the flautas in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden. Alternatively, you can preheat your oven or air fryer to 400°F, place the flautas seam side down, spray lightly with oil, and bake or air fry for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway. Either way, you’re aiming for a crisp, golden exterior.
Step 5: Drain and Serve
Once your flautas are perfectly crisp, let them drain on a paper towel for a minute. Serve them hot with your favorite dips—think sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast!
How to Serve Chicken Flautas Recipe
Garnishes
The right toppings can take your Chicken Flautas Recipe over the top! I love a generous sprinkle of chopped cilantro, fresh diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and maybe a little crumbled queso fresco. Don’t forget a squeeze of lime for a bright, zesty finish.
Side Dishes
Pair these crispy flautas with sides that soak up all those amazing flavors. Spanish rice, black beans, or a simple corn salad are all perfect choices. For a lighter touch, go with a crisp green salad tossed with avocado and a citrusy dressing.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the flautas in a spiral on a big platter with colorful dipping bowls in the center. If you’re making them for a family dinner, serve them “taco bar” style with lots of toppings so everyone can build their own perfect plate. They also make fantastic lunchbox leftovers—just slice them in half and pack with dipping sauce!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra flautas (lucky you!), let them cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days, and you can reheat them for a quick snack or meal anytime.
Freezing
This Chicken Flautas Recipe is a meal-prepper’s dream! Assemble your flautas but don’t cook them—just freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Reheating
To bring leftover flautas back to life, reheat them in the oven or air fryer at 375°F until hot and crispy, about 8–10 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch, but you’ll lose some of that signature crunch, so the oven method is definitely worth the extra couple of minutes.
FAQs
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?
Absolutely! Corn tortillas will give you a slightly different texture and a deliciously authentic flavor, but make sure to warm them well so they don’t crack when rolling.
What’s the best type Main Course
Rotisserie chicken is my go-to because it’s juicy and shreds easily, but any cooked, shredded chicken will work. If you have leftover grilled or baked chicken, just chop or shred it and you’re good to go!
How do I keep flautas from opening while cooking?
Rolling them tightly is key, and a toothpick through the seam works wonders. If you’re baking or air frying, placing them seam side down on the tray will help them stay closed.
Can I make these flautas ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble the flautas and keep them covered in the fridge for up to a day before cooking. If freezing, just bake or fry straight from the freezer—no need to thaw.
What dips go best with Chicken Flautas Recipe?
Classic choices include sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, and creamy jalapeño sauce. I love mixing and matching for a fun, colorful spread!
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or planning a party platter, this Chicken Flautas Recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. They’re crispy, flavorful, and endlessly customizable. Give them a try—you’ll see why I keep coming back to this recipe again and again!
Print
Chicken Flautas Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 flautas
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying or Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and crispy Chicken Flautas made with shredded chicken, melted cheese, and flavorful spices rolled inside warm tortillas and cooked by frying or baking. Perfect for a quick and satisfying Mexican-inspired main course served with your favorite dips like sour cream, guacamole, or salsa.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup salsa or enchilada sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other
- 8 small flour tortillas (use gluten-free tortillas for gluten-free version)
- Oil for frying or cooking spray for baking/air frying
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded cheese, salsa, ground cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to create a flavorful filling.
- Warm the tortillas: Slightly warm the tortillas in the microwave or on a skillet to make them pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Assemble the flautas: Place about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken filling in a line down the center of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick if needed to keep the flauta intact during cooking.
- Fry the flautas: Heat approximately 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F. Fry the flautas in batches, cooking each side for 2 to 3 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Bake or air fry alternative: Preheat your oven or air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the flautas seam side down on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the flautas with oil and bake or air fry for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Serve: Remove toothpicks, if used, and serve the hot flautas with sour cream, guacamole, or salsa for dipping.
Notes
- Great for using up leftover rotisserie or cooked chicken.
- You can prepare the flautas ahead of time and freeze them before cooking; reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture.
- For a gluten-free option, use corn or gluten-free flour tortillas.
- Adjust seasoning according to taste preferences or add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 flauta
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
