Chicken Flautas With Chunky Guacamole Recipe

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Chicken Flautas With Chunky Guacamole: A Fiesta of Flavors

I can still picture my Abuela Elena in her bustling kitchen, the air thick with the aroma of cumin, cilantro, and sizzling oil. Weekends at her house meant one thing: flautas! We’d all gather around the table, eager to roll the seasoned chicken into warm tortillas, anticipating that satisfying crunch and the cool, creamy contrast of homemade guacamole. Each bite was a celebration, a testament to her love poured into simple, authentic flavors. This recipe brings back those cherished memories, offering a taste of Abuela Elena’s warmth and deliciousness.

Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Yield: 12 flautas
Dietary Type: Not Gluten-Free

Ingredients

FLAUTAS

3 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon cumin
1 jalapeno, diced (more or less, to your taste)
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper to taste
12 small flour tortillas (about 6 inch)
Oil for frying

GUACAMOLE

2 avocados
½ small red onion, diced (not too small)
1 jalapeno, diced (more or less, to your taste)
4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
2 teaspoons lemon juice
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or a whole tomato, diced)
Salt and pepper to taste

Equipment Needed

Large bowl
Cutting board
Knife
Skillet
Tongs
Paper towels
Medium bowl

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, lemon juice, cumin, diced jalapeno, chopped cilantro, and minced garlic cloves. Season generously with salt and pepper. Finally, add the shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Marinate the Flavors: Allow the chicken mixture to rest for about 15 minutes. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together and intensifies the overall taste of the flautas.
Assemble the Flautas: Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the center of one flour tortilla. Roll the tortilla up tightly, like a cigar. Secure the rolled flauta with a toothpick to prevent it from unrolling during frying.
Repeat the Rolling: Continue assembling the remaining flautas until all the chicken filling is used. To prevent the tortillas from drying out while you work, keep the finished flautas covered with a damp paper towel. This helps maintain their pliability and prevents cracking during frying.
Heat the Oil: In a skillet, heat enough oil to come almost halfway up the sides of the flautas (about ¼ inch depth). The oil should be hot enough to quickly fry the flautas to a golden brown without making them greasy.
Fry the Flautas: Carefully place the assembled flautas into the hot oil. Fry on all sides until they are lightly golden brown and crispy. This happens very quickly, so don’t walk away from the skillet! It usually takes about 1-2 minutes per side. Use tongs to turn the flautas and ensure even cooking.
Drain the Excess Oil: Remove the fried flautas from the skillet and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil. This will help them maintain their crispiness.
Prepare the Chunky Guacamole: While the flautas are draining, prepare the guacamole. Dice the avocados into chunks and place them in a medium bowl. Leaving the avocado chunky adds a wonderful texture to the guacamole.
Combine the Guacamole Ingredients: Add the diced red onion, diced jalapeno, chopped cilantro, lemon juice, and halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the diced avocado.
Gently Toss and Season: Gently toss all the guacamole ingredients together to combine. Be careful not to mash the avocados too much; you want to maintain the chunky texture. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve Immediately: Serve the crispy chicken flautas immediately with the freshly made chunky guacamole. Remove the toothpicks before serving.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Spice Level: Adjust the amount of jalapeno in both the flautas and the guacamole to your preference. For a milder flavor, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeno before dicing. For more heat, leave them in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken filling.
Cheese Options: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese in the flautas. Cheddar, Oaxaca, or a Mexican cheese blend would all work well.
Make-Ahead Tip: The chicken filling can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This is a great time-saver when you’re short on time. Simply assemble and fry the flautas when you’re ready to serve.
Baking Option: For a healthier alternative, you can bake the flautas instead of frying them. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush the assembled flautas with a little bit of oil and bake them for about 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Crispy Tortillas: For extra crispy tortillas, lightly brush each tortilla with oil before filling and rolling.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve the Chicken Flautas immediately while they are hot and crispy, alongside the Chunky Guacamole. The contrast between the warm, savory flautas and the cool, creamy guacamole is simply irresistible. You can also add a side of salsa, sour cream, or pico de gallo for extra flavor and texture.

Leftover flautas are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy again. You can also reheat them in a skillet with a little bit of oil.

The Chunky Guacamole is best enjoyed fresh. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To prevent browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole before sealing the container. It’s best consumed within 1-2 days.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	228.1 kcal	–
Calories from Fat	99 g	44%
Total Fat	11.1 g	17%
Saturated Fat	2.8 g	14%
Cholesterol	30.4 mg	10%
Sodium	245.8 mg	10%
Total Carbohydrate	19.3 g	6%
Dietary Fiber	3.4 g	13%
Sugars	1.3 g	5%
Protein	13.2 g	26%

Variations & Substitutions

Vegetarian Flautas: Replace the chicken with seasoned black beans, refried beans, or crumbled tofu for a vegetarian version. Add some roasted vegetables like corn, bell peppers, and zucchini for extra flavor and texture.
Gluten-Free Flautas: Use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas for a gluten-free option. Corn tortillas tend to be more fragile than flour tortillas, so be extra careful when rolling and frying them. You can also lightly warm them before rolling to make them more pliable.
Spicy Flautas: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some hot sauce to the chicken filling for a spicier kick. You can also use a spicier cheese like pepper jack.
Sweet Potato Flautas: Add mashed sweet potato to the chicken mixture for a slightly sweet and earthy flavor.
Creamy Guacamole: If you prefer a smoother guacamole, you can mash the avocados instead of dicing them. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I prepare the flautas ahead of time and freeze them?

A: Yes, you can assemble the flautas and freeze them before frying. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Fry them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Q: What is the best way to prevent the tortillas from cracking when rolling the flautas?

A: Lightly warming the tortillas before rolling them makes them more pliable and less likely to crack. You can warm them in a dry skillet, in the microwave, or wrapped in a damp paper towel.

Q: Can I use different types of oil for frying the flautas?

A: Yes, you can use different types of oil for frying, such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. Choose an oil with a high smoke point to prevent it from burning.

Q: How do I keep the guacamole from turning brown?

A: The best way to prevent guacamole from browning is to limit its exposure to air. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole before sealing the container. You can also add a little extra lemon juice, as the acidity helps to slow down the oxidation process.

Q: What can I serve with Chicken Flautas and Chunky Guacamole?

A: Chicken Flautas and Chunky Guacamole make a delicious appetizer, snack, or light meal. They pair well with a variety of sides, such as rice and beans, Mexican salad, or a side of grilled corn. A refreshing margarita or a cold Mexican beer is the perfect accompaniment.

Final Thoughts

Chicken Flautas with Chunky Guacamole are a crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for any occasion. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and incredibly satisfying. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations and substitutions to make them your own. Gather your friends and family, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy a fiesta of flavors! I encourage you to try this recipe and share your feedback. Buen provecho!