Description
Crispy, golden Chicken Flautas stuffed with seasoned shredded chicken and cheese, then fried to perfection. These crunchy Tex-Mex favorites are easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or game day gatherings. Serve with fresh toppings like pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream for a restaurant-style meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Flautas:
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying
- 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
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
- Salt, to taste
Toppings (Optional):
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes or pico de gallo
- Green salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour cream or Cilantro Ranch dressing
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Preheat oven to warm (about 200°F) to keep flautas crispy while frying in batches.
- Heat about ¾ inch of oil in a large saucepan over medium heat to 375°F.
- In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Spoon a heaping tablespoon of filling along the center of each tortilla.
- Roll tightly and secure each with a toothpick.
- Using tongs, carefully place flautas in hot oil. Hold briefly until firm, then release.
- Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes.
- Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle with salt.
- Transfer to a foil-lined baking sheet and keep warm in oven while frying remaining batches.
- Serve hot with desired toppings.
Notes
- Warm tortillas slightly before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Do not overfill or they may burst open while frying.
- For a lighter option, bake at 425°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 400°F for 8–10 minutes until crispy.
- Remove toothpicks before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican / Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 flautas
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg