Air-Fried Chicken Flautas: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken flautas are a fun and tasty dish that can be served as an appetizer or a main course. They are made with shredded chicken, a creamy sauce, and cheese, all wrapped up in a tortilla and air-fried to golden perfection. This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken and can be made in an air fryer with minimal effort and maximum taste.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

You can use different types of chicken for your flautas, such as:

• Rotisserie Chicken: This is a convenient option that saves time and adds a combination of light and dark meat to your flautas. Rotisserie chicken is also tender, juicy, and delicately seasoned.
• Whole Chicken: Similar to rotisserie chicken, a whole chicken offers both light and dark meat, resulting in a juicy and flavorful filling. Cooking a whole chicken on the stove typically takes around 30-35 minutes.
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: This option provides a leaner choice and is commonly used in many recipes.

Quantity

The amount of chicken you need will depend on the number of servings you plan to make. For a larger batch, you may require multiple chicken breasts or a whole chicken to ensure you have enough meat to fill the tortillas generously.

Preparation

You can prepare the chicken in various ways:

• Boil: Simply boil the chicken in a pot on medium-high heat until it is no longer pink, then shred it using two forks or shredding claws.
• Slow Cooker: This method involves cooking the chicken with seasonings and vegetables in a slow cooker until tender. You can use a crock pot and cook the chicken for 4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.
• Stovetop: Sautéing or cooking the chicken with onions and seasonings on a stovetop is another option to prepare the filling.

Seasoning

Seasoning your chicken adds flavour to the flautas. Here are some options:

• Taco seasoning
• Slap Ya Mama® Cajun seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper
• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Smoked paprika
• Dried oregano
• Onion powder

Shredding

Shredding the chicken is an important step to create a filling that is easy to work with and combine with other ingredients. It is recommended to shred the chicken while it is still hot, as it will come apart more easily.

Preparing the filling

The filling is the most important part of your chicken flautas, so it's worth taking the time to get it just right. Here's a step-by-step guide to preparing a delicious and flavourful filling for your air-fried chicken flautas.

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. The exact quantities will depend on how many flautas you want to make, but you'll typically need:

• Cooked chicken (shredded)
• Cheese (shredded)
• Spices and seasonings (e.g. taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, etc.)
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Lime juice
• Optional extras: jalapenos, avocado ranch dressing, chipotle ranch dressing, bacon, etc.

Mixing the Filling

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to mix them together to create a delicious filling. Here's a suggested method:

• In a large bowl, combine the salsa, sour cream, lime juice, and any spices/seasonings you're using. Stir well to create a creamy, flavourful base.
• Add the shredded chicken and cheese to the bowl. Stir everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and well combined.
• For extra creaminess, you can add some cream cheese to the mixture and stir it through.
• Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can also add a little hot sauce or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.

Filling the Tortillas

Now that your filling is ready, it's time to start assembling your flautas. Here's how:

• Warm your tortillas so they are soft and pliable. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving in short bursts until soft.
• Take one tortilla and lay it flat on a clean surface.
• Spoon a generous amount of the chicken filling (about 2-3 tablespoons) onto the bottom third of the tortilla.
• If you're adding any extra fillings like cheese or bacon, sprinkle them on top of the chicken mixture now.
• Tightly roll up the tortilla, starting from the filled end, to create a compact cylinder.
• Place the rolled tortilla seam-side down on a plate and repeat the filling process with the remaining tortillas.

Your chicken flauta filling is now ready! From here, you can move on to cooking your flautas in the air fryer. Enjoy!

Rolling the flautas

Firstly, you'll want to make sure your tortillas are soft and pliable. You can do this by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for around 30 seconds. This will prevent them from cracking when you roll them.

Next, lay one tortilla out on a flat surface and spoon your filling of choice onto the bottom third of the tortilla. For chicken flautas, this could be a mixture of shredded chicken, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.

Now it's time to roll! Tightly roll up the tortilla, starting from the bottom, and place it seam-side down on a plate. Repeat this process until you have rolled all your flautas. If your flautas won't stay tightly rolled, try securing them with a toothpick.

Finally, if you're not cooking the flautas right away, you can store them in the fridge for up to three days or freeze them for up to three months.

Cooking in the air fryer

Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook flautas, giving them a crispy exterior without the need for deep-frying in oil. The process is very simple and quick, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner.

First, prepare your filling. This can be done ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, which is especially useful if you are using leftover chicken. You can use a variety of ingredients for the filling, but common options include cooked and shredded chicken, salsa, cheese, cream cheese, and spices. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.

Next, prepare your tortillas. Corn or flour tortillas can be used, depending on your preference. Warm the tortillas in the microwave by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and heating for around 30 seconds. This will make them more pliable and easier to roll.

Now it's time to assemble the flautas. Place a couple of tablespoons of the filling across the bottom third of each tortilla. If you are using corn tortillas, be careful not to overfill, as this can make them difficult to roll and seal. Roll the tortillas tightly and place them seam-side down on a plate.

Preheat your air fryer to between 360 and 390 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush the flautas with oil. Place 4-5 flautas in the basket, making sure they are not overcrowded, and cook for around 6-10 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Flip the flautas halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Repeat this process with the remaining flautas, and serve warm with your favourite toppings and dips. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Chicken flautas are a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, a snack, or a main course. They pair well with a variety of Mexican-inspired sides and dips. Here are some serving suggestions:

Sides

• Rice, especially cilantro lime rice, Mexican rice, or avocado rice
• Salads, such as a big green salad, Mexican salad, southwest salad, esquites (Mexican street corn salad), corn salad, or southwest orzo salad
• Grilled corn on the cob, baked asparagus, roasted broccoli, roasted potatoes, or roasted cauliflower
• Fruits like cantaloupe, pineapple, grapes, or a fruit salad
• Elote (Mexican Grilled Street Corn)

Dips and Toppings

• Sour cream, Greek yogurt, or Mexican crema
• Avocado crema or guacamole
• Chopped or sliced avocados
• Seeded, chopped, or sliced Roma tomatoes, or halved cherry tomatoes
• Pico de gallo or salsa
• Cilantro
• Pickled red onions
• Jalapenos
• Hot sauce
• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• Sliced onion
• Queso fresco or cotija

Frequently asked questions