Chicken Flautas
These chicken flautas are everything you want in a quick and satisfying meal… crispy on the outside, cheesy and flavorful on the inside, and absolutely perfect for dipping. Whether you call them chicken flautas or flautas de pollo, this easy recipe brings restaurant-style flavor right into your own kitchen. With simple ingredients and a short cook time, these are perfect for weeknight dinners, game day spreads, or anytime you are craving something crunchy and delicious.
Chicken Flautas
If you love easy Mexican-inspired recipes like this, you are definitely going to want to check out a few of my other favorites too. You can pair these flautas with my shredded beef tacos, serve them alongside Chipotle’s cilantro lime rice, or round out your meal with Dorito taco salad. They all work together perfectly and make putting together a full, crowd-pleasing meal so easy.
The best part about this recipe chicken flautas is how simple they are to customize. You can switch up the cheese, adjust the spices, or even use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time. Once you make these crispy rolled tortillas filled with seasoned shredded chicken and cheese, you will see just how easy it is to recreate one of your favorite takeout-style dishes at home.
What You Will Love About This Recipe
Crispy, golden tortillas with a creamy, cheesy chicken filling
Uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients
Ready in about 40 minutes from start to finish
Perfect for dipping in salsa, guacamole, or sour cream
Great for parties, appetizers, or family dinners
Easy to customize with different flavors and add-ins
Ingredients
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup salsa (thick style)
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 small flour tortillas
Vegetable oil, for frying
In a medium bowl, stir together the shredded chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, cream cheese, salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt until evenly combined.
Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds so they are soft and pliable. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in a line across the lower third of each tortilla.
Roll tightly and place seam-side down on a plate while you finish assembling the rest.
Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F.
Carefully place 3–4 flautas seam-side down into the hot oil. Fry for 2–3 minutes per side, turning as needed, until golden brown and crisp.
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and continue frying in batches. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Tips & Tricks
- Warm your tortillas before rolling so they do not crack or split
- Roll the flautas tightly to keep the filling inside while frying
- Place them seam-side down first in the oil to help them stay closed
- Do not overcrowd the pan when frying, this keeps them crispy
- Use a thermometer to keep oil around 350°F for the best texture
- Drain on paper towels right after frying to remove excess oil
- Want a lighter version? These can also be air fried or baked until crispy
FAQs
Chicken Flautas
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup salsa (thick style)
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 12 small flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the shredded chicken, Monterey Jack cheese, cream cheese, salsa, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt until evenly combined. Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 20–30 seconds so they are soft and pliable. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in a line across the lower third of each tortilla. Roll tightly and place seam-side down on a plate while you finish assembling the rest.
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F.
- Carefully place 3–4 flautas seam-side down into the hot oil. Fry for 2–3 minutes per side, turning as needed, until golden brown and crisp.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and continue frying in batches. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 326Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 544mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 20g
I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!
