Crispy Chicken Flautas Recipe: Authentic Mexican Flavor at Home
There’s nothing quite like the irresistible crunch of freshly made flautas, and this recipe for Mexican Flautas will prove that homemade is always better. Forget what you think you know about restaurant flautas – these crispy, savory delights will surpass anything you can order out, bringing an authentic taste of Tex-Mex right into your kitchen. My family absolutely adores flautas and can devour a whole platter in minutes. Making them at home transforms any ordinary day into a festive occasion, filling your home with wonderful aromas and even more wonderful memories.
These Mexican Flautas are incredibly versatile, perfect as a satisfying meal, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or even a fun snack for game day. To truly elevate your flauta experience and turn them into a complete meal, I highly recommend pairing them with my homemade Guacamole and Pico de Gallo recipes. These fresh, vibrant toppings add layers of flavor and texture that perfectly complement the crispy flautas.
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Flautas Recipe
Making flautas from scratch might seem daunting, but it’s incredibly rewarding. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, yielding results that are consistently crisp on the outside and wonderfully savory on the inside. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with making your own:
- Unbeatable Flavor & Texture: Achieving that perfect golden, crispy exterior and tender, flavorful chicken filling is simply magical.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the seasonings to your preference or experiment with different fillings and toppings.
- Budget-Friendly: Often more economical than ordering out, especially when feeding a crowd.
- Family Favorite: A guaranteed hit for all ages, perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.
- Fresh Ingredients: You control the quality of every component, ensuring a delicious and wholesome dish.
Get ready to impress your family and friends with these spectacular homemade flautas!
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Essential Ingredients for Perfect Flautas
The beauty of Tex-Mex cuisine often lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients, and these chicken flautas are no exception. You’ll find this list easy to shop for, mostly featuring pantry staples and fresh components that come together harmoniously. While I adore making my own pico de gallo and guacamole when time allows, a quick smash of avocado and some store-bought white queso can also work wonders for your toppings.
Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need:
- Rotisserie Chicken, shredded: This is my secret weapon for speed and convenience! A pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes prep incredibly fast. Simply shred the meat off the bones, and you’re halfway there. It’s a fantastic time-saver without sacrificing flavor.
- Green Onions, chopped: These add a mild, fresh onion flavor and a subtle hint of color to the chicken filling. Their delicate taste complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.
- Chihuahua Cheese, shredded: This semi-soft, mild Mexican cheese melts beautifully and adds a creamy, rich texture to the filling. Its gentle flavor pairs perfectly with chicken. You’ll need some for the filling and extra for serving!
- Corn Tortillas: Traditional flautas are made with corn tortillas. Choosing “soft” corn tortillas is key for pliability, which helps prevent cracking during rolling. We’ll discuss warming methods later to ensure they’re perfectly soft.
- Toothpicks (optional): These are handy for securing the flautas if you find they’re unraveling while frying. They can be removed after the flautas hold their shape.
- Canola Oil (or other neutral oil) for frying: A good amount of oil is essential for achieving that signature crispy, golden-brown exterior. Canola oil has a high smoke point and neutral flavor, making it ideal for frying.
- For Serving (Lettuce, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Sour Cream, White Queso): These toppings are where you can really customize your flautas! Shredded lettuce adds a refreshing crunch, pico de gallo brings fresh tanginess, guacamole offers creamy richness, sour cream provides a cool contrast, and white queso delivers savory cheesiness. Don’t be shy with the toppings!
For precise measurements and detailed instructions, please use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll down to the bottom to find the full recipe card.
Step-by-Step Guide to Crispy Mexican Flautas
Crafting perfect flautas is an enjoyable process, and with these detailed steps, you’ll be a pro in no time. Take your time, enjoy the rhythm of assembly, and soon you’ll be savoring the crispy results.
1. Prepare the Flavorful Chicken Filling
Begin by combining your shredded rotisserie chicken, chopped green onions, 1 ½ cups of shredded Chihuahua cheese, and a generous pinch or two of salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Use a spoon or your hands to stir everything thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly distributed. This ensures every bite of your flauta is packed with delicious flavor. The shredded chicken should be seasoned well and ready to fill your tortillas.
2. Warm Your Tortillas for Easy Rolling
The key to preventing your corn tortillas from cracking is to make them soft and pliable. My preferred method is to warm them in the microwave: simply place the entire bag of tortillas (with the twist tie removed) directly into the microwave and heat for about 30-60 seconds, or until they are steamed and soft. This works exceptionally well for soft yellow corn tortillas.
If you encounter tortillas that are still cracking excessively, don’t despair! Heat a small amount of oil (just enough to thinly coat the bottom) in a separate small skillet over medium heat. Quickly drag each tortilla through the warm oil for about 5-10 seconds per side until it becomes soft and flexible. This slight oil coating also helps with crisping later.
3. Fill, Roll, and Secure Your Flautas
Once your tortillas are warm and soft, it’s time to assemble. Place about ¼ cup of the chicken mixture near one edge of a tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly, ensuring the filling is snug inside. If you find some flautas want to unravel, insert a toothpick through the center to hold them securely. This step might take a bit of practice, but you’ll quickly find your rhythm. Don’t rush it – put on some music, maybe enjoy a sip of your favorite beverage, and get into the groove of creating these delicious rolls!
4. Fry to Golden Perfection
In a large, deep skillet (a cast iron skillet works wonderfully here), pour about 1 ½ inches of canola oil. Heat the oil over medium heat until it shimmers and reaches approximately 350-375°F (175-190°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test a small piece of tortilla; it should sizzle immediately. Carefully place the rolled flautas into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry them, turning frequently with tongs, until they are beautifully golden brown and incredibly crispy on all sides. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes per batch.
Once they’re perfectly crispy, use tongs to remove the flautas from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This step is crucial for maintaining their crispness. Repeat the frying process until all of your chicken mixture has been transformed into delicious flautas, adding more oil to the skillet and allowing it to heat up as needed between batches. This process can be a bit time-consuming if you’re making a large batch, but the delicious results are absolutely worth the effort!
5. Serve with Your Favorite Toppings
The best part about these Mexican Flautas is customizing them with a vibrant array of toppings. I love to set up a “flauta bar” with various options: creamy queso, fresh pico de gallo, rich guacamole, cool sour cream, and crisp shredded lettuce are my go-to’s. This allows everyone to build their perfect flauta, making mealtime fun and interactive. Dive into the deliciousness!
Expert Tips & Tricks for Flauta Success
Making flautas can be a delightful culinary adventure, and a few key tips can ensure yours turn out perfectly crispy and delicious every time.
Choosing and Warming Your Tortillas
The right tortilla is crucial. I strongly recommend using corn tortillas labeled “soft.” This makes a huge difference in pliability. My favorite method for warming them is to place the entire bag (with the twist tie removed) in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. This steams them gently, making them flexible enough to roll without cracking.
If you still experience cracking, or prefer a different method, try this: warm about 1/4 inch of oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Dip each tortilla into the warm oil for about 5-10 seconds per side until it’s soft and malleable. This also adds a little oil, which can help with browning and crisping when frying later. Immediately place the softened, lightly oiled tortilla on a plate, fill it, roll it, and then proceed to fry.
Chicken Prep Made Easy
For ultimate convenience and a quick turnaround, opt for a rotisserie chicken. It’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you a significant amount of time. You can even shred the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, so when you’re ready to make flautas, all you need to do is mix the filling and start rolling. This makes weeknight flautas a breeze!
Frying for Optimal Crispness
Maintaining the oil temperature is key to perfectly crispy flautas without them becoming greasy. Aim for medium heat and check the oil temperature before adding flautas. Don’t overcrowd the skillet, as this will lower the oil temperature and lead to soggy flautas. Fry in batches if necessary, allowing the oil to reheat between additions. Once golden brown, remove them with tongs and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. This helps them stay wonderfully crisp.
Embrace the Dips!
Flautas are meant to be dipped! Provide an abundance of options to make the meal fun and interactive. From classic sour cream and fresh pico de gallo to creamy guacamole and zesty white queso, having a variety of dips enhances the experience. Don’t underestimate the power of a good dip to elevate your flautas!
Creative Variations & Flavorful Substitutions
This flauta recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different proteins, cheeses, and even tortilla types to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.
Protein Swaps
While shredded chicken is a classic choice, don’t limit yourself! These flautas are also fantastic with other proteins. You can easily substitute the chicken with shredded beef for a richer, more robust flavor. Alternatively, stewed chicken (like chicken thigh meat simmered until tender and then shredded) can provide an even more succulent and deeply flavored filling.
Cheese Alternatives
Chihuahua cheese is ideal for its melty texture and mild taste, but if you can’t find it, shredded mozzarella is an excellent and readily available substitute. It melts beautifully and has a similarly mild flavor profile that won’t compete with the other ingredients.
Tortilla Options
Corn tortillas are traditional for flautas, giving them their authentic taste and texture. However, if you prefer, you can certainly use flour tortillas. Flour tortillas are much more pliable and easier to roll, which can be a good option for beginners. If using flour tortillas, you can still fry them until crisp, turning 2-3 times. Another alternative is to lightly coat flour tortillas with oil and bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until golden and crispy for a slightly lighter version. Both methods work well, offering different textures and flavors.
Oil Choices for Frying
The recipe calls for canola oil, which is a great choice due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point. However, any neutral frying oil will work beautifully. Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or even light olive oil are all suitable alternatives that won’t impart any unwanted flavors to your delicious flautas.
More Tasty Tex-Mex Recipes to Explore
If you’re loving the flavors of these Mexican Flautas, be sure to check out these other fantastic Tex-Mex recipes that are sure to become new family favorites:
- Topo Chico Margarita
- Sour Cream Enchilada Sauce
- Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa
- Ground Beef Enchiladas
- Black Bean Dip Recipe
- Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas
- Easy Chicken Fajitas
- Elotes Style Corn with Furikake
Did you make this incredible recipe? I’d love to hear from you! Please let me know by leaving a review or comment below. And for more delicious recipes and cooking inspiration, be sure to sign up for my newsletter, and follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Crispy Chicken Flautas
20 minutes
30 minutes
50 minutes
This recipe for homemade Mexican Flautas delivers an incredibly crispy and flavorful experience that rivals any restaurant version, perfect for a fun family meal or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 1 large rotisserie Chicken, shredded
- 1 cup Green Onions, chopped
- 1 ½ cups Chihuahua Cheese, shredded (plus more for serving)
- 24-30 Corn Tortillas, 6-inch, ‘soft’ variety preferred
- Toothpicks, for securing (optional)
- Canola Oil, for frying (about 1.5 inches deep in skillet)
- Shredded Lettuce, for serving
- Fresh Pico de Gallo, for serving
- Sour Cream, for serving (optional)
- White Queso, for serving (optional)
- Homemade Guacamole, for serving (optional)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
Notes
Expert Tips & Tricks for Flauta Success
Making flautas can be a delightful culinary adventure, and a few key tips can ensure yours turn out perfectly crispy and delicious every time.
Choosing and Warming Your Tortillas
The right tortilla is crucial. I strongly recommend using corn tortillas labeled “soft.” This makes a huge difference in pliability. My favorite method for warming them is to place the entire bag (with the twist tie removed) in the microwave for 30-60 seconds. This steams them gently, making them flexible enough to roll without cracking.
If you still experience cracking, or prefer a different method, try this: warm about 1/4 inch of oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Dip each tortilla into the warm oil for 5-10 seconds per side until it’s soft and malleable. This also adds a little oil, which can help with browning and crisping when frying later. Immediately place the softened, lightly oiled tortilla on a plate, fill it, roll it, and then proceed to fry.
Chicken Prep Made Easy
For ultimate convenience and a quick turnaround, opt for a rotisserie chicken. It’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you a significant amount of time. You can even shred the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator, so when you’re ready to make flautas, all you need to do is mix the filling and start rolling. This makes weeknight flautas a breeze!
Frying for Optimal Crispness
Maintaining the oil temperature is key to perfectly crispy flautas without them becoming greasy. Aim for medium heat and check the oil temperature before adding flautas. Don’t overcrowd the skillet, as this will lower the oil temperature and lead to soggy flautas. Fry in batches if necessary, allowing the oil to reheat between additions. Once golden brown, remove them with tongs and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. This helps them stay wonderfully crisp.
Embrace the Dips!
Flautas are meant to be dipped! Provide an abundance of options to make the meal fun and interactive. From classic sour cream and fresh pico de gallo to creamy guacamole and zesty white queso, having a variety of dips enhances the experience. Don’t underestimate the power of a good dip to elevate your flautas!
Creative Variations & Flavorful Substitutions
This flauta recipe is incredibly adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different proteins, cheeses, and even tortilla types to suit your preferences or what you have on hand.
Protein Swaps
While shredded chicken is a classic choice, don’t limit yourself! These flautas are also fantastic with other proteins. You can easily substitute the chicken with shredded beef for a richer, more robust flavor. Alternatively, stewed chicken (like chicken thigh meat simmered until tender and then shredded) can provide an even more succulent and deeply flavored filling.
Cheese Alternatives
Chihuahua cheese is ideal for its melty texture and mild taste, but if you can’t find it, shredded mozzarella is an excellent and readily available substitute. It melts beautifully and has a similarly mild flavor profile that won’t compete with the other ingredients.
Tortilla Options
Corn tortillas are traditional for flautas, giving them their authentic taste and texture. However, if you prefer, you can certainly use flour tortillas. Flour tortillas are much more pliable and easier to roll, which can be a good option for beginners. If using flour tortillas, you can still fry them until crisp, turning 2-3 times. Another alternative is to lightly coat flour tortillas with oil and bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until golden and crispy for a slightly lighter version. Both methods work well, offering different textures and flavors.
Oil Choices for Frying
The recipe calls for canola oil, which is a great choice due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point. However, any neutral frying oil will work beautifully. Vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or even light olive oil are all suitable alternatives that won’t impart any unwanted flavors to your delicious flautas.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- John Boos MPL1812125G Chop-N-Slice Select Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board, 18 Inches x 12 Inches x 1.25 Inches
- Shun Classic 7″ Hollow Ground Santoku Knife w/Custom Engraving
- OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set
- Lodge Cast Iron Skillet with Red Silicone Hot Handle Holder, 12-inch
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
20
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 150Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 202mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g
This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.
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