Indulge in the crispy delight of Chicken Flautas, a classic dish deeply rooted in Mexican culinary tradition. With its crunchy exterior and savoury filling, this dish offers a tantalizing blend of flavours and textures. In this recipe post, we'll dive into the cultural background of flautas and provide you with a step-by-step recipe to recreate this delicious dish in your own kitchen.
Cultural Background: Flautas, meaning "flutes" in Spanish, derive their name from their long, flute-like shape. Originating in Mexico, these rolled tacos are a popular street food and a beloved dish in Mexican households. Traditionally filled with shredded chicken, beef, or potatoes, flautas are typically deep-fried until golden and crispy, then served with a variety of toppings and salsas.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb (450g) cooked shredded chicken
- 12-15 corn tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, sour cream, salsa verde or salsa roja, crumbled queso fresco
Preparation and Cooking Time:
- Preparation Time: 15 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 flautas
Cooking Instructions:
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Prepare the Chicken Filling:
- Start by cooking and shredding the chicken. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or cook chicken breasts in boiling water until cooked through, then shred them with two forks.
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Warm the Tortillas:
- Wrap the corn tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave them for 1 minute to make them soft and pliable.
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Assemble the Flautas:
- Place a spoonful of shredded chicken along one edge of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, then secure it with a toothpick to hold its shape.
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Fry the Flautas:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the rolled flautas seam-side down in the skillet.
- Fry the flautas in batches until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Use tongs to turn them occasionally for even cooking.
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Serve and Enjoy:
- Once the flautas are crispy and golden, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
- Serve the flautas hot with your choice of toppings and sauces, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced avocado, sour cream, salsa verde, or salsa roja. Sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco for an extra burst of flavour.
Crispy Chicken Flautas are a delicious and satisfying dish that brings the flavours of Mexico straight to your table. Whether enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course, these golden delights are sure to be a hit with family and friends. Give this recipe a try and savour the crispy goodness of homemade flautas!