Description
Crispy and flavorful Chicken Flautas made with shredded cooked chicken, Mexican blend cheese, and diced chiles, rolled in warm tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Served with fresh toppings like shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing for a delightful 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
Tortillas
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
- Salt, to taste
For frying
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying (about ¾ inch in saucepan)
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Green salsa
- Guacamole
- Cilantro Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to the warm setting, approximately 200°F, to keep the cooked flautas warm while frying the remaining batches.
- Heat oil: Fill a large saucepan with about ¾ inch of vegetable or canola oil and heat over medium heat to 375°F, ensuring the oil is hot enough for frying.
- Prepare filling: In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Mexican blend cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a flavorful filling.
- Assemble flautas: Working with 4 tortillas at a time, spread 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 maintain shape during frying.
- Fry flautas: Using tongs, carefully place each rolled flauta into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown, approximately 2 minutes per side, turning gently to cook all sides evenly. Once crispy, remove and drain on a paper towel–lined plate. Season lightly with salt while still hot.
- Keep warm: Transfer the fried flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and place them in the preheated oven to keep warm as you cook the remaining tortillas.
- Serve: Serve the warm flautas topped with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, and cilantro ranch dressing for a delicious and satisfying dish.
Notes
- Use flour or corn tortillas depending on preference; flour tortillas give a softer texture, while corn tortillas tend to be crispier.
- Ensure oil temperature remains at 375°F for perfect crispiness without absorbing excess oil.
- Adjust seasoning of filling to taste before rolling the flautas.
- Secure the rolled tortillas with toothpicks to prevent unrolling during frying.
- Serve immediately with fresh toppings for best flavor and texture.
