If you’re craving a crunchy, savory snack or meal that’s packed with juicy chicken and bursting with flavor, chicken flautas are your answer. These rolled, fried tortillas filled with seasoned shredded chicken are a beloved Mexican dish that’s easy to make at home and sure to impress. Ready to learn how to make chicken flautas that are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside? Let’s dive in!
What Are Chicken Flautas?
Flautas, which means “flutes” in Spanish, get their name from their long, thin shape resembling a flute. They are tortillas—usually flour, but sometimes corn—rolled tightly around a filling, traditionally shredded chicken, and then deep-fried until golden and crispy. Flautas are popular in Mexican cuisine and often served with toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, and cheese.
Ingredients You’ll Need
– Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1 to 1.5 pounds)
– Tortillas: Flour tortillas are most common for flautas, but corn tortillas can be used for a variation called taquitos
– Seasonings: Salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion for flavoring the chicken
– Oil: Vegetable or canola oil for frying
– Cheese (optional): Shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or queso fresco for mixing into the filling or topping
– Toppings: Sour cream or Mexican crema, salsa verde or roja, guacamole, shredded lettuce, cilantro, and lime wedges
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chicken Flautas
1. Cook and Shred the Chicken
Start by seasoning your chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. You can cook the chicken by boiling it in water or chicken broth with some onion and garlic until fully cooked and tender. Once cooked, shred the chicken finely using two forks or your hands.
2. Prepare the Filling
In a skillet, sauté diced onions, garlic, and optionally some diced tomatoes and jalapeños in a little oil until softened. Add the shredded chicken and mix well. You can also stir in some shredded cheese at this point if you like your flautas cheesy. Cook for a few minutes until everything is heated through and combined.
3. Soften the Tortillas
To make rolling easier and prevent cracking, warm the tortillas. You can microwave them for 30-60 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel or heat them briefly in a dry skillet until pliable.
4. Assemble the Flautas
Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling on one edge of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, folding in the sides if needed to keep the filling inside. Secure each roll with a toothpick to hold it together while frying.
5. Heat the Oil for Frying
Pour vegetable or canola oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven to a depth of about 1-2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (or test by dropping a small piece of tortilla in—the oil should sizzle immediately but not burn).
6. Fry the Flautas
Carefully place a few flautas seam-side down into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy all over. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
7. Serve with Tasty Toppings
Remove the toothpicks and serve your crispy chicken flautas with your favorite toppings. Popular choices include sour cream or Mexican crema, fresh salsa (verde or roja), guacamole, shredded lettuce, crumbled queso fresco, pickled jalapeños, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
Tips for Perfect Chicken Flautas
– Use fresh tortillas or warm them well to avoid cracking when rolling.
– Don’t overfill the tortillas to prevent them from bursting during frying.
– Maintain oil temperature to ensure even frying and crispy texture without absorbing too much oil.
– Try baking or air-frying for a lighter version, though traditional deep-frying gives the best crunch.
– Customize your filling with additional spices, cheese, or even sautéed vegetables for extra flavor.
Chicken flautas are a versatile dish perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or game day snacks. They bring together a wonderful combination of textures and flavors that everyone will love. Once you master this recipe, you can experiment with different fillings and toppings to make it your own!
Enjoy your homemade chicken flautas crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor!