Table of Contents
- Ingredients
- Preparation Time
- Nutrition
- Instructions
- Tips and Variations
- FAQ
- Reflection Questions
- Conclusion
Perfect Crispy Flautas Recipe: Easy Chicken Flautas for Dinner
# Flautas: Crispy Chicken Flautas for a Flavorful Dinner
If you’re craving a quick yet comforting meal, flautas are a fantastic choice for dinner. These crispy rolled tortillas filled with juicy chicken bring authentic Mexican flavors right to your kitchen. As an experienced home cook, I’ve perfected this flautas recipe to balance ease and flavor — perfect for busy families or anyone wanting a delicious home-cooked dish without the fuss.
I remember my first attempt at making flautas; I struggled to get them crispy without breaking the tortillas. What’s your biggest cooking challenge? This recipe breaks down each step so you can confidently prepare and enjoy flautas anytime.
Flautas are not just tasty but versatile. Whether you fry, bake, or air fry, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Let’s dive in!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- ½ white onion, diced
- ¼ white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
- Water, as needed to cover chicken
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus more for frying
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, diced (optional)
- 16 corn tortillas
- Toothpicks or skewers
- Shredded lettuce
- Mexican crema or sour cream
- Salsa verde
- Salsa roja or your favorite hot sauce
- Guacamole or diced avocados
- Cotija cheese or queso fresco
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 119 kcal
- Fat: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Sodium: 486 mg
Instructions
- 1. Make the shredded chicken: In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine chicken thighs, ½ diced white onion, smashed garlic cloves, bay leaf, kosher salt, and enough water to cover by 1 inch.
- 2. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (use a meat thermometer).
- 3. Carefully transfer chicken to a mixing bowl and let rest for 5 minutes. Shred the chicken with your hands or forks.
- 4. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced tomatoes, jalapeño, and the remaining ¼ diced onion. Cook for 5 minutes until onion softens and tomatoes reduce slightly.
- 5. Pour the tomato mixture over the shredded chicken and stir to combine. Taste and add salt if needed.
- 6. Prepare the frying oil: Fill a large skillet with about 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat to 350°F (use a thermometer or test with a small tortilla piece; it should sizzle).
- 7. Warm the corn tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway, until pliable. Keep them warm wrapped in a towel or tortilla warmer.
- 8. Assemble the flautas by placing a heaping spoonful of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla. Roll tightly and secure with a toothpick or skewer.
- 9. Fry the flautas in batches, 3-4 at a time, for 1½ to 2 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- 10. Drain the fried flautas on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- 11. Remove toothpicks and serve warm topped with shredded lettuce, Mexican crema or sour cream, salsa verde, salsa roja or hot sauce, guacamole or diced avocados, and crumbled cotija cheese or queso fresco.
Tips and Variations
For an easy twist on this flautas recipe, try using baked flautas instead of frying. Simply brush rolled flautas with a little oil and bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy. This method reduces calories while keeping the flautas delicious. Another variation is swapping chicken for flautas beef for a heartier option. Flautas de papa (potato-filled flautas) make a tasty vegetarian choice. To keep your chicken flautas recipe authentic, use fresh corn tortillas—they’re pliable and perfect for rolling. Wondering about flautas vs taquitos? Flautas are usually larger, with a crispier, longer shape, while taquitos tend to be smaller and tightly rolled. How do you adapt recipes to suit your family’s tastes? Try different salsas, cheeses, or avocado toppings to make this dish your own!
FAQ
What is a flauta?
A flauta is a Mexican dish made of rolled tortillas filled with meat or other fillings, then fried until crispy. The name means ‘flute’ because of its shape.
Are flautas the same as taquitos?
No, flautas and taquitos differ mainly in size and preparation; flautas are larger and typically fried until crisp, while taquitos are smaller and sometimes baked.
How do you make flautas crispy?
To make flautas crispy, use fresh corn tortillas warmed to make them pliable, roll the filling tightly, and fry in hot oil at 350°F until golden brown.
What tortillas are used for flautas?
Fresh corn tortillas are the traditional choice for flautas due to their pliability and flavor.
How many calories are in 4 flautas?
Four flautas contain approximately 476 calories, depending on filling and cooking method.
What’s the difference between a chimichanga and a flautas?
A chimichanga is a deep-fried burrito, usually larger and stuffed with multiple fillings, while flautas are rolled tortillas with a single filling, fried until crispy.
What are torta girls?
Torta girls is slang for girls who enjoy tortas, a Mexican sandwich. It has no relation to flautas.
Reflection Questions
- What’s one cooking habit to improve for better results?
- How can you customize flautas for different tastes?
- When did you last slow down and enjoy cooking?
Conclusion
Flautas are a delightfully crispy and flavorful dish that brings authentic Mexican comfort to your table. With this easy chicken flautas recipe, you can enjoy a homemade meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekends alike. Try making these flautas, share your tasty results with friends and family, and don’t forget to subscribe for more delicious recipes from our experienced home cooking team!
Mind map
Flautas Recipe → Ingredients → Chicken, Tortillas, Salsa → Preparation → Cooking Methods (Fry, Bake, Air Fry) → Serving → Toppings (Sour Cream, Cheese, Guacamole) → Tips and Variations → Healthier Options and Substitutions → FAQs → Reflection and Enjoyment
