Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Vegetable or canola oil, for frying (about ¾ inch in pan)
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (or shredded beef)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ½ cup salsa (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 (4-ounce) can diced chiles
- Garlic salt with parsley flakes, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 12 (6-inch) flour tortillas (or corn tortillas)
- Salt, to taste
Toppings
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Green salsa
- Guacamole
- Cilantro Ranch dressing
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to the warm setting or about 200°F to keep the cooked flautas warm later.
- Heat oil: Pour about ¾ inch of vegetable or canola oil into a large saucepan and heat over medium heat until it reaches 375°F, preparing for frying the flautas.
- Prepare filling: In a medium bowl, combine shredded cooked chicken, shredded Mexican blend cheese, salsa, diced chiles, garlic salt with parsley flakes, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to create the flavorful filling.
- Roll flautas: Working with 4 tortillas at a time, place a heaping spoonful of the chicken mixture along the center of each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly around the filling and secure each with a toothpick to prevent unraveling during frying.
- Fry flautas: Using tongs, carefully hold each rolled flauta in the hot oil briefly until the tortilla firms up, then release it into the oil to continue cooking. Fry until the exterior is golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes. Remove the flautas with tongs and drain on a paper towel–lined plate. Immediately season with salt for enhanced flavor.
- Keep warm: Transfer the cooked flautas to a foil-lined baking sheet and place in the preheated oven to keep them warm while you finish frying the remaining tortillas.
- Serve: Serve the crispy Chicken Flautas warm, accompanied by your choice of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, green salsa, guacamole, and Cilantro Ranch dressing for dipping or topping.
Notes
- For a healthier option, consider baking the flautas instead of frying, though frying gives them the crispiest texture.
- If you prefer, use corn tortillas for a gluten-free alternative, but flour tortillas usually hold together better during frying.
- Be cautious with the hot oil to avoid burns and ensure even frying by not overcrowding the pan.
- Removing excess moisture from the filling ingredients helps prevent soggy tortillas.
- To make the dish more spicy, add extra diced chiles or a splash of hot sauce into the filling.
- Use a thermometer to check oil temperature for best frying results.
- Flautas are best enjoyed immediately after frying while crispy, but keeping them warm in the oven helps maintain texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Halal
