Crispy Golden Chicken Flautas Recipe: Fiesta in Every Bite

Sizzling and crispy chicken flautas dance with flavor, bringing a zesty Mexican street food magic right to your kitchen.

Golden tortillas wrap tender, seasoned chicken in a mouthwatering embrace that promises pure deliciousness.

Packed with vibrant spices and simple ingredients, this recipe turns an ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure.

Each bite delivers a perfect crunch that snaps with savory goodness.

The aroma of sautéed chicken and warm spices will fill your home with irresistible temptation.

These flautas are more than just a meal – they’re a celebration of bold, authentic flavors that spark joy at the dinner table.

Roll up your sleeves and get ready to impress everyone with this easy, crowd-pleasing dish that brings a taste of Mexico home.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 295 kcal

Servings: 13

Chicken Flautas Ingredient Checklist

• Shredded Chicken: Tender protein base that brings hearty flavor and substance to the flautas.
• Shredded Cheese: Melty component that adds creamy richness and helps bind the filling together.
• Salsa: Vibrant sauce that introduces zesty moisture and complex flavor profiles.
• Diced Chiles: Introduces subtle heat and tangy brightness to the chicken mixture.
• Garlic Salt: Adds depth and seasoning that enhances the overall taste experience.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle warmth and aromatic background notes.

• Corn Tortillas: Traditional wrapper that creates crispy exterior when fried, authentic Mexican texture.

• Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil: Neutral cooking medium that enables perfect golden-brown crispiness.
• Toothpicks: Temporary fastener to secure tortilla rolls during preparation.
• Salt: Final seasoning touch to elevate the crispy exterior's flavor.

• Shredded Lettuce: Fresh, crunchy garnish that adds textural contrast.
• Chopped Tomatoes: Bright, juicy element that provides refreshing accent.
• Green Salsa: Tangy condiment that complements the crispy flautas.
• Guacamole: Creamy, rich dip that offers cool counterpoint to hot flautas.
• Cilantro Ranch Dressing: Herbaceous, creamy sauce that enhances overall taste experience.

Tools to Help Make Crispy Chicken Flautas

• Large Saucepan: Essential for heating oil to the perfect frying temperature.
• Tongs: Crucial for safely maneuvering and placing flautas in hot oil.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for mixing chicken filling ingredients.
• Toothpicks: Needed to secure tortillas while rolling.
• Paper Towel-Lined Plate: Helps drain excess oil from fried flautas.
• Foil-Lined Baking Sheet: Keeps flautas warm in the oven.
• Cutting Board: Useful for preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Helps shred chicken and chop additional toppings.

How to Roll and Fry Chicken Flautas at Home

• Flavor Foundation

Combine shredded chicken with zesty salsa, melted cheese, and mild green chiles to create a mouthwatering filling that will make taste buds dance.

• Tortilla Transformation

Carefully wrap the savory mixture into soft tortillas, rolling them into tight cylinders that promise crispy deliciousness.

• Oil Bath

Heat vegetable oil to a sizzling temperature, preparing for a golden frying adventure that will turn these rolls into crunchy treasures.

• Crispy Magic

Gently lower the rolled tortillas into the hot oil, watching them transform into golden-brown treats that crackle with excitement.

• Quick Drain

Rescue the flautas from the oil and let them rest on paper towels, allowing excess oil to disappear while sprinkling with a touch of salt.

• Presentation Party

Arrange the crispy flautas on a platter, surrounded by fresh toppings like cool guacamole, bright salsa, and creamy ranch for a fiesta of flavors.

Flavor Suggestions for Spiced Chicken Flautas

• Replace chicken with shredded beef, pulled pork, or black beans for vegetarian options that deliver equally delicious results.
• Warm corn tortillas briefly in a skillet to prevent cracking when rolling, ensuring perfect, tight flautas every single time.
• Use a digital thermometer to maintain consistent 375°F oil, preventing greasy or undercooked flautas and guaranteeing crispy golden exteriors.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, add diced jalapeños for extra heat, or sprinkle in fresh cilantro for bright, zesty notes.
• Batch cook chicken filling ahead of time and store in refrigerator for quick weeknight meal assembly, saving precious cooking time.

Serving Chicken Flautas with Sauce or Salad

• Fiesta Plate Companions: Pair these crispy chicken flautas with fresh pico de gallo, creamy guacamole, and a zesty sour cream dip for a complete Mexican-inspired meal.
• Colorful Garnish Extravaganza: Sprinkle chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and diced red onions on top to add vibrant colors and extra flavor layers that make the dish pop.
• Dipping Sauce Paradise: Create a quick green salsa or mix ranch dressing with chopped cilantro for an irresistible sauce that complements the crunchy exterior of the flautas.
• Family-Style Feast: Arrange the flautas on a large platter surrounded by Mexican rice, black beans, and lime wedges to transform the dish into a shareable, interactive dining experience that brings everyone together.

Store and Reheat Chicken Flautas Easily

• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover flautas in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain crispiness.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap uncooked assembled flautas individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They'll stay fresh for 2-3 months. Thaw in refrigerator before frying.
• Quick Reheat Trick: Restore crunchiness by baking frozen or refrigerated flautas in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare chicken filling up to 2 days in advance and store in a sealed container. This strategy saves time and enhances flavor development for a delicious meal.

Crispy Chicken Flautas Recipe

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4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Sizzling Mexican chicken flautas combine crispy tortillas with savory shredded chicken, creating a perfect appetizer or main course. Cheese, salsa, and creamy garnishes complete this crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to enjoy again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
• 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas
• ½ cup salsa
• 1 (4 oz/113 g) can diced chiles
• Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Green salsa
• Guacamole
• Cilantro Ranch dressing
• Garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Salt, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to a gentle 200°F (95°C) to keep flautas warm and crisp after frying, creating a perfect holding station.
2. Oil Heating: Fill a large, deep saucepan with oil and heat to a precise 375°F (190°C) over medium flame, creating the ideal frying environment.
3. Filling Creation: Blend shredded chicken with melted cheese, salsa, roasted green chiles, garlic salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl, ensuring a harmonious and flavorful mixture.
4. Tortilla Assembly: Spread the chicken mixture evenly across soft tortillas, positioning the filling strategically to facilitate smooth rolling.
5. Rolling and Securing: Tightly roll each tortilla into a compact cylinder, using toothpicks to prevent unraveling during the frying process.
6. Frying Technique: Carefully lower the rolled flautas into the hot oil using tongs, rotating gently until they transform into a crisp, golden-brown delicacy.
7. Final Touches: Drain the fried flautas on paper towels, seasoning with a light salt sprinkle, then transfer to the warm oven to maintain optimal temperature and crunchiness.
8. Serving Presentation: Arrange the flautas on a platter accompanied by fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, green salsa, creamy guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing for a vibrant and appetizing display.

Notes

• Prep Ahead for Perfection: Shred chicken and mix filling ingredients in advance to streamline the cooking process and reduce last-minute stress.
• Master Oil Temperature: Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure oil hits exactly 375°F, preventing soggy or burnt flautas and guaranteeing a crispy golden exterior.
• Secure Rolling Technique: Pin each flauta carefully with toothpicks to prevent unwrapping during frying, creating neat, compact rolls that hold their shape.
• Smart Serving Strategy: Keep finished flautas warm in a low-temperature oven while frying remaining batches, maintaining optimal crunchiness and temperature for a delightful dining experience.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 295
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg