Chicken Flautas

Chicken Flautas are crispy, rolled tortillas filled with seasoned shredded chicken and fried until golden brown. A popular Mexican dish, flautas (meaning “flutes” in Spanish) are crunchy, satisfying, and easy to eat by hand—perfect for dinner, appetizers, or a party platter served with your favorite dips and toppings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chicken flautas are simple to make, packed with flavor, and always a hit with family and guests. They’re crunchy on the outside, juicy inside, and great for dipping into guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or queso. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly, customizable, and can be made with leftover or rotisserie chicken for a quick, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
• Corn tortillas (or flour tortillas for a different texture)
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Ground cumin
• Paprika or chili powder
• Salt and pepper
• Shredded cheese (optional)
• Oil (for frying)
• Toothpicks (optional, for securing the rolls)

Suggested toppings

• Shredded lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Salsa or pico de gallo
• Guacamole
• Crumbled queso fresco or shredded cheese

Directions

1. Prepare the filling: In a bowl, combine shredded chicken with spices (garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper). Mix well. Add shredded cheese if using.
2. Warm the tortillas: Heat tortillas in a damp towel in the microwave or on a skillet to make them pliable and prevent cracking when rolling.
3. Assemble the flautas: Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling in the center of each tortilla. Roll tightly and secure with a toothpick if needed.
4. Fry: In a skillet, heat ½ inch of oil over medium heat. Fry flautas in batches, seam side down, until golden and crispy—about 2–3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
5. Serve: Remove toothpicks and serve flautas hot with desired toppings and dips.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 12–15 flautas.
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

Variations

• Baked flautas: Brush rolled tortillas with oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Air fryer flautas: Cook at 375°F for 8–10 minutes until crisp.
• Spicy chicken: Add diced green chiles, chipotle in adobo, or hot sauce to the filling.
• Creamy filling: Mix the chicken with sour cream, cream cheese, or refried beans for a creamier texture.
• Vegetarian: Use beans, sautéed veggies, or cheese as the filling instead of chicken.

Storage/reheating

Store leftover flautas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F or in an air fryer until crisp. To freeze, let them cool completely, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen at 400°F until hot and crispy.

FAQs

Can I use flour tortillas?

Yes, flour tortillas work well and tend to be softer and less likely to crack when rolling.

What’s the difference between flautas and taquitos?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but flautas are usually made with flour tortillas and are longer, while taquitos are made with corn tortillas and are smaller.

Can I make flautas ahead of time?

Yes, assemble and refrigerate them (uncooked) for up to a day. Fry or bake just before serving.

Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely—it’s a time-saving option and works perfectly for flautas.

How do I keep them from unrolling while frying?

Roll tightly and place seam side down in the oil. Toothpicks can help keep them secure while cooking.

Can I fry them in a deep fryer?

Yes, deep fry at 350°F for about 3–4 minutes or until golden and crisp.

Are they gluten-free?

If you use corn tortillas and gluten-free seasonings, yes—this dish can be fully gluten-free.

Can I reheat in the microwave?

You can, but they’ll lose their crispiness. Oven or air fryer reheating is best for maintaining texture.

What dips go best with flautas?

Sour cream, guacamole, salsa verde, queso dip, and chipotle crema are all great options.

Can I make them without cheese?

Yes, cheese is optional—these flautas are flavorful enough without it.

Conclusion

Chicken Flautas are the perfect crispy, crave-worthy meal or snack that delivers flavor and fun in every bite. Whether you’re making them for dinner, game day, or a festive gathering, they’re easy to prep, full of delicious filling, and endlessly customizable. Serve them with your favorite toppings and sauces, and watch them disappear fast!

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