Easy Chicken Flautas

In Spanish, “flautas” means flutes and they resemble a long, thin, flute-shaped rolled taco.

Flautas, with their crispy exterior and flavorful fillings, bring a burst of Mexican delight to your table. This recipe not only offers the classic chicken filling but also provides the flexibility to explore with beef or pork for a diverse culinary experience. The combination of spices, lime juice, and gooey cheese creates a symphony of flavors that will surely satisfy your taste buds.

Vadim Rachok

Chef

“Delicious tortillas filled with meat and cheese, and fried to perfection.” Serve as an appetizer or main dish with guacamole, sour cream, and salsa!

If you’re ever curious about whether flautas and taquitos are the same, the answer is no. Flautas are typically made using flour tortillas, whereas taquitos are made using corn tortillas. However, they are quite similar, and if you feel like trying out corn tortillas instead, don’t hesitate to give it a go!

I think you’ll love these easy, cheesy Chicken Flautas. We make them all the time, and my boys can’t get enough!

Flauta Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: Chicken breasts provide a lean protein base for the filling.
• Tortillas: They serve as the outer shell of the flautas and hold the filling in place.
• Onions: Onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the filling.
• Chili pepper: It brings a spicy kick to the dish, adding heat and complexity.
• Cheddar cheese: It adds richness and a creamy texture by melting into the filling.
• Tomato: Use tomato to add acidity and freshness to balance the flavors.
• Lime: Lime offers a tangy brightness that enhances the overall taste.
• Thyme, rosemary, coriander, paprika, and dry garlic: Infuse the filling with aromatic and savory notes.
• Parmesan cheese: It provides a salty and nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Cream and Milk: Add richness and creaminess to the filling with milk and cream.
• Butter: It enhances the richness and mouthfeel of the dish.
• Nutmeg: Nutmeg offers a warm and slightly sweet spice.

How to Make Flautas

1. First, cut the onion into strips. Then, remove the excess fat and tendons from the chicken breasts and cut them in half. Next, slice the tomato and the lime, and thinly slice the chili.
2. Cut a portion of the cheddar cheese 4,2 ounces (120 g) into thin slices. Then, dice the second portion of cheddar 1,06 ounces (30 g) for the sauce.
3. Heat sunflower oil in a saucepan, add onion, and sauté over medium heat until golden brown. Add the chili pepper and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
4. To make the sauce: Heat a saucepan and add the cream. Then, add 1,06 ounces (30 g) of Cheddar, Parmesan, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the cheeses are melted.
5. Marinate chicken with thyme, rosemary, paprika, coriander, dried garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside for 10-15 minutes.
6. Heat a frying pan, add oil, and fry the chicken for 4 minutes on each side. 
7. Then, slice the chicken.
8. To assemble: Place a spoonful of cheese sauce, 4-5 pieces of chicken, 2-3 slices of cheddar cheese, sliced tomatoes, and fried onions on the tortilla.
9. Wrap the tortilla tightly with the filling.
10. Heat a frying pan, add butter, and fry the flautas until golden brown.
11. Serve with lime wedges. Enjoy!

Chef Recipe Tips:

• To make sure the tortilla rolls well, heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds. 
• You can add iceberg lettuce to the flautas to make the flavor fresher and more intense.

Bake, Fry, or Air Fry!

If you’ve ever had flautas in a restaurant, they were likely deep fried. However, there are other options for cooking crispy, perfect flautas, such as baking and air frying.

1. Baked flautas: Place the flautas on a wire rack, which is placed on top of a baking sheet. Spray them generously with oil and bake in a preheated oven until they become crispy. I prefer this method because it is a healthier alternative, and you can make a large quantity of flautas at once. If you want them to be extra crispy, you can broil them for a minute or two, but make sure to keep a close eye on them!
2. Frying flautas: Heat up canola or vegetable oil in a large skillet. Use tongs to carefully place the flautas in the hot oil one by one. Once you’re done cooking, make sure to move the food items to a plate that’s lined with paper towels. This will help in absorbing any excess oil or grease and keep the food crispy and dry.
3. Air fryer flautas: Spray each flauta with oil and ensure they are not touching in the basket. Cook for approximately 7 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make in batches.

Flauta Toppings

Toppings are key to making flautas fun and personalized! I like to offer a variety of options for everyone to choose from.

1. Pico de Gallo or Salsa
2. The Best Guacamole
3. Sour Cream
4. Chopped green onion
5. Shredded lettuce
6. Queso Fresco
7. Cilantro
8. A dash of hot sauce

What to Serve with Flautas

Flautas are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course for any occasion. When serving them as the main dish, I like to include a few side dishes to make it a complete meal. Here are some of our favorite sides!”

1. Mexican Rice or Cilantro Lime Rice
2. Easy Refried Beans or Best Bean Dip
3. Queso Dip
4. Fruit Salad

How to Store

To store any leftover flautas, place them in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat them, you can use a microwave, a hot pan on the stovetop, an air fryer or an oven. Simply follow the instructions provided with your chosen method and enjoy your flautas as if they were freshly made.

You can freeze flautas after they have cooled completely. Simply store them in a freezer container or bag for up to 3 months.