Chicken Flautas Recipe: A Delicious and Easy-to-Follow Guide
This blog post provides a comprehensive and SEO-optimized recipe for chicken flautas, a popular Mexican dish. We'll cover everything from ingredient selection to cooking techniques, ensuring your flautas turn out perfectly crispy and flavorful. We'll also touch upon variations and serving suggestions to help you create a truly memorable meal.
What are Chicken Flautas?
Chicken flautas are rolled tacos, essentially small corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and various seasonings, then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. They are a delicious appetizer or a satisfying light meal, perfect for parties or a casual weeknight dinner.
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe makes approximately 12 flautas. Feel free to adjust quantities based on your needs.
For the Chicken Filling:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies (Rotel), undrained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Flautas:
- 12 corn tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Your favorite toppings (see below)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Filling
- Cook the chicken breasts until fully cooked. You can boil, bake, or grill them – whichever method you prefer. Once cooked, shred the chicken using two forks.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic, diced tomatoes and green chilies, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add the shredded chicken to the skillet and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for a few minutes to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors.
Step 2: Assemble the Flautas
- Warm the corn tortillas slightly. You can do this in a microwave, oven, or on a dry skillet. This makes them more pliable and less likely to break.
- Place a spoonful of the chicken filling in the center of each tortilla.
- Roll the tortilla tightly, tucking in the sides as you go, to form a cylinder shape.
Step 3: Fry the Flautas
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully place the flautas in the hot oil, a few at a time, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the flautas from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
Serve your delicious chicken flautas immediately with your favorite toppings.
Topping Suggestions:
- Guacamole: Creamy avocado goodness.
- Sour Cream: A cool and tangy contrast.
- Salsa: Choose your favorite – pico de gallo, salsa verde, or a fiery habanero salsa.
- Shredded Cheese: Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese are great options.
- Chopped Cilantro: For a fresh, herbaceous touch.
- Lime Wedges: A squeeze of fresh lime juice brightens the flavors.
Variations:
- Spicy Flautas: Add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken filling for extra heat.
- Cheese Flautas: Incorporate shredded cheese into the chicken filling.
- Vegetarian Flautas: Substitute the chicken with black beans, lentils, or other vegetables.
Tips for Success:
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying. This will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy flautas.
- Fry in batches for even cooking.
- Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor.
- Warm your tortillas before filling to make them easier to roll.
Enjoy your homemade chicken flautas! They are sure to be a hit with family and friends. Remember to share your creations and tag us on social media! Happy cooking!
