Description
Crispy and delicious Chicken Flautas made with shredded chicken, cheese, and salsa, rolled in flour tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Served with fresh toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing, these flautas are perfect for a flavorful Mexican-inspired appetizer or meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (or shredded beef)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ½ cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced chiles
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
For Frying
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
- Salt, to taste
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Green salsa
- Guacamole
- Cilantro Ranch dressing
Other
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to the warm setting, around 200°F, to keep the cooked flautas warm after frying.
- Heat the oil: Fill a large saucepan with about ¾ inch of vegetable or canola oil. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 375°F, the ideal temperature for frying.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together shredded chicken, shredded cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt with parsley, and pepper until well combined.
- Fill and roll the tortillas: Work with 4 tortillas at a time. Place a heaping spoonful of the chicken filling along the center of each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and secure each one with a toothpick to prevent them from unrolling during frying.
- Fry the flautas: Using tongs, carefully place each flauta into the hot oil. Fry for about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the flautas and drain them on a paper towel–lined plate. Immediately season with salt.
- Keep warm and serve: Transfer the fried flautas to the preheated oven to keep warm while frying the rest. Serve topped or alongside shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing as desired.
Notes
- Use flour or corn tortillas based on preference, but flour tortillas tend to hold together better during frying.
- Adjust the spiciness by varying the amount or type of diced chiles and salsa used.
- Make sure the oil temperature is at 375°F to achieve crispy flautas without absorbing too much oil.
- Secure the rolled tortillas tightly with toothpicks to prevent them from opening while frying.
- Drain excess oil on paper towels for crispness and lighter texture.
- Leftovers can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
