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Let me share one of my most treasured recipes these incredible Chicken Flautas!
Every time I make them my kitchen fills with the most amazing aromas. I love how the seasoned chicken and melty cheese wrapped in crispy golden tortillas brings everyone running to the table.
A dollop of fresh guacamole cool sour cream and my homemade salsa makes these absolutely irresistible. This recipe has become a family favorite and I'm so excited to share it with you!
Why My Family Loves These Flautas
The magic of these flautas is in their perfect crispy texture and incredible flavor. I use flour tortillas instead of corn which gives them this wonderful light flaky wrap that we can't resist.
After years of making them I've simplified the recipe using rotisserie chicken and my special seasoning blend. Whether I'm whipping them up for a quick family dinner or hosting friends they're always a hit!
Everything You'll Need From My Kitchen
- Taco seasoning: My special blend that makes everything sing.
- Rotisserie chicken: Such a time saver and always juicy perfect.
- Monterey Jack cheese: It melts into the dreamiest filling.
- Green chilies: Just enough for that gentle warmth we love.
- Flour tortillas: Get them fresh if you can trust me!
- Toothpicks: My secret for perfect rolling.
- Salt: Just a pinch to make everything pop.
- Canola oil: For that perfect golden crunch.
- Toppings: I love setting out bowls of fresh guacamole cool sour cream zesty pico and salsa.
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Let's Cook Together
- Creating Our Perfect Filling
- In my biggest mixing bowl I combine the chicken with my taco seasoning until every piece is coated. Then fold in generous handfuls of cheese and those lovely green chilies until everything looks just right.
- Rolling With Love
- Spoon about ⅓ cup of our filling right down the middle of each tortilla. Roll them up nice and snug securing with a toothpick just like my mom taught me.
- The Magic Moment
- Get your oil nice and hot about ½ inch in your favorite pan. I fry just 4 at a time watching them turn beautifully golden about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Keeping Everything Warm
- Place your finished flautas on a paper towel lined baking sheet pop them in a 250°F oven to stay crispy until serving.
- Time to Feast
- Set out all your colorful toppings and watch eyes light up as everyone builds their perfect plate!
Kitchen Storage Secrets
Let me share my favorite tricks for keeping these flautas fresh!
They'll stay perfect in an airtight container in your fridge for 3-4 days. When you're ready for more pop them in the oven or air fryer to bring back that amazing crunch.
Planning ahead? These beauties freeze wonderfully for up to 3 months. I like to fry them first then freeze they're ready whenever cravings hit!
My Kitchen Tips & Tricks
After years of making flautas for my family I've learned some special tricks!
Here's my secret weave the toothpick through the edges like sewing them closed keeping it parallel to how they're rolled.
And always remember my golden rule only fry a few at a time. Your patience will be rewarded with perfectly crispy flautas every single time!
Making These Flautas Your Own
One thing I love about this recipe is how easy it is to switch things up!
Sometimes I use leftover roasted chicken or even holiday turkey.
When my family wants extra heat I'll add diced jalapeños or smoky chipotle peppers.
For my vegetarian friends I make them with creamy black beans or refried beans mixed with plenty of melty cheese.
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses too sharp cheddar or spicy pepper jack create wonderful new flavors!
Creating the Perfect Flauta Night
In my house no flauta dinner is complete without some tasty sides!
I love serving them with my homemade Mexican rice or a big bowl of creamy refried beans.
A fresh crispy salad adds the perfect balance.
For drinks we enjoy cold horchata or maybe margaritas for the grown-ups.
Don't forget those dipping sauces my creamy queso bright salsa verde and special chipotle mayo make everything even more delicious!
What Makes These Extra Special
You know that magical moment when flour tortillas turn perfectly golden and flaky?
That's what I live for when making flautas!
They're so much lighter and crispier than other fried snacks which makes them perfect for everything from quick family dinners to party appetizers.
I love making big batches on Sunday for easy meals throughout the week my family never gets tired of them!
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Lessons From My Kitchen
Let me share some wisdom I've learned after countless flauta-making sessions!
Never overfill those tortillas or they'll burst while cooking (learned that one the hard way!).
Always secure them with toothpicks and keep your oil at 375°F just hot enough for that perfect crisp without getting greasy.
Small batches are key to keeping that oil temperature steady.
These little details make all the difference between good flautas and amazing ones!
Perfect Party Plans
Nothing brings me more joy than setting up a flauta feast for friends and family!
I love creating a colorful spread with these crispy beauties as the star.
My favorite party trick is setting up a toppings bar with little bowls of everything from fresh guacamole to spicy salsas.
Watching everyone get creative with their combinations makes my heart so happy.
These always disappear first at every gathering!
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My Lighter Take on Flautas
Sometimes we want that same amazing flavor without the oil so I've perfected two lighter methods in my kitchen.
For baking I brush them lightly with oil pop them in at 425°F and let them get golden for about 15-20 minutes.
If you have an air fryer like me 375°F for 10-12 minutes works like magic!
They still get wonderfully crispy and my family can barely tell the difference.
The Story Behind These Flautas
Every time I make flautas I think about their beautiful history in Mexican cuisine.
Their name means 'flutes' and watching them sizzle in my pan it's easy to see why they got that musical name!
In my kitchen I love keeping this tradition alive while adding my own little twists.
From my savory classics to sweet dessert versions these rolled treasures have become part of our family story.
Flautas vs Taquitos From My Kitchen
Let me tell you why I fell in love with flour tortilla flautas!
They get this incredible light flaky texture that's so different from corn tortilla taquitos.
The flour tortillas stretch into these lovely long delicate rolls while taquitos stay more compact.
Both are delicious but flautas have that special something that keeps my family coming back for more!
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Saving Ingredients for Later
Being resourceful in the kitchen is so important!
I always store leftover chicken and cheese in separate airtight containers they stay perfect for 3-4 days.
These extras make wonderful quick tacos or quesadillas later in the week.
And here's my tortilla tip keep them in their original packaging they stay fresher that way.
In my kitchen nothing ever goes to waste!
Cooking With My Little Ones
Making flautas has become such a special tradition with my kids!
We keep their portions mild with extra cheese and sometimes I sneak in finely chopped veggies they'd usually avoid.
The little ones love having their own dipping station with ranch dressing or even ketchup.
It's amazing how these crispy rolls have turned my picky eaters into adventurous food lovers!
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Fun Kitchen Experiments
My kitchen is my playground and these flautas have become my favorite way to get creative!
Sometimes I surprise my family with buffalo chicken and blue cheese filling for game days.
Other times I go Mediterranean with crumbly feta spinach and sun dried tomatoes.
But my biggest hit? Dessert flautas filled with Nutella and bananas dusted with powdered sugar.
The possibilities are endless and that's what makes cooking so magical!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make chicken flautas ahead of time?
You can roll the flautas and store them uncooked in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Fry them just before serving for the best crispiness.
- → What's the difference between flautas and taquitos?
Flautas are typically made with flour tortillas and are longer. Taquitos are made with corn tortillas and are usually smaller. Both are rolled and fried crispy.
- → Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake them at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, brushing with oil first. They won't be quite as crispy but still delicious and healthier.
- → What can I serve with chicken flautas?
Traditional toppings include guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo, and salsa. Mexican rice and refried beans make great side dishes.
- → Can I freeze these flautas?
You can freeze them after cooking. Let them cool completely, then store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven until crispy.