Flautas de Pollo
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (12 flautas)
Country of Origin
Mexico
Description
Flautas (meaning "flutes") are long, thin Mexican rolled tacos made by tightly rolling seasoned shredded chicken or beef inside thin corn or flour tortillas and deep-frying them until golden and shatteringly crisp.
Presentation & How It's Eaten
Arranged side by side on a plate, smothered in shredded lettuce, drizzled with green salsa and Mexican crema, and dusted with crumbled cotija cheese and sliced avocado. Eaten hot with hands.
Ingredients
12 thin corn tortillas (or extra-large thin flour tortillas)
3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1.5 cups vegetable oil (for deep frying)
Toothpicks (to secure rolls)
Garnish: Shredded iceberg lettuce, green salsa, Mexican crema, crumbled cotija or queso fresco, sliced avocado
Step-by-Step Directions
Season Chicken: Toss shredded chicken with garlic powder, cumin, and salt in a bowl.
Warm Tortillas: Microwave corn tortillas wrapped in a damp cloth for 45 seconds until very soft and pliable (prevents tearing when rolling).
Roll Flautas: Place 2 tablespoons chicken across edge of a tortilla. Roll tightly into a firm cylinder. Secure seam with a toothpick. Repeat for all tortillas.
Fry: Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat (180°C / 350°F). Fry flautas in batches seam-side down for 3–4 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and crispy.
Drain & Unpick: Transfer to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Remove toothpicks carefully.
Top and Serve: Lay crisp flautas on plates. Cover middle with shredded lettuce, cream, green salsa, cotija cheese, and avocado slices.
Optional
Air Fryer Method: Lightly spray rolled flautas with cooking oil and air-fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway.
Cooking Tips
Keep Tortillas Warm: Cold corn tortillas will crack when rolled; keep them steamed warm right up until rolling.
Nutrition Facts
(Estimated per serving, based on a 3-flauta serving breakdown)
Calories: ~410 kcal
Total Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 65mg
Sodium: 480mg
Total Carbohydrates: 30g
Dietary Fiber: 4g
Sugars: 2g
Protein: 25g
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