I love trying new twists on chicken dinner recipes that bring a burst of flavor without any fuss. Imagine tender canned chicken mingled with your favorite salsa and melted cheese, accented by hints of cumin and garlic powder, all nestled in soft flour tortillas. It’s a deliciously simple dish perfect for busy evenings.
I’m excited to share my take on easy chicken flautas—a recipe that I found to be a total game changer for busy nights. I was looking for something fast and full of flavor, so this dish really hit the spot.
I use a can of chicken that’s nicely drained, mix it up with a cup of my favorite salsa and a cup of shredded cheese, and season it with a pinch of cumin and garlic powder, plus salt and pepper to taste. Then I take eight small flour tortillas and fill them with the mixture before baking until they’re perfectly crispy.
The transformation from simple ingredients to a tasty dinner in just 30 minutes is pretty impressive. I love that this dish gives a twist to a regular chicken dinner and fits right in with healthy and easy recipes for a quick meal fix.
Why I Like this Recipe
I really love this recipe for a few reasons. First, it’s crazy fast and easy; I can have it ready in just 30 minutes, which means no more hangry moments waiting for dinner. Second, I like how the canned chicken, salsa, and cheese blend together into this super flavorful filling that always keeps me coming back for more. Third, the way the tortillas get baked until they’re just crispy is my favorite part – it gives the whole dish a great crunch without having to fry anything. Finally, I enjoy that I can mix it up every time by switching out the salsa or cheese type, so it never gets boring. Overall, these Chicken Flautas are my go-to dinner when I need something delicious and quick to whip up.
Ingredients
- Chicken: lean protein, boosts muscle buildin’ nutrients and forms a hearty, satisfying base.
- Salsa: tangy mix of tomatoes and spices adding a zesty, low calorie flavor burst.
- Cheese: creamy and rich, brings essential calcium and a smooth texture to each bite.
- Tortillas: soft wheat wraps offering carbs and fiber; da best for holdin’ your fillings.
- Cumin: aromatic spice that deepens flavor with warm, earthy notes throughout the dish.
- Garlic Powder: adds a bold, garlicky kick that rounds out the savory profile.
- Salt & Pepper: keeps it simple while balancin’ and heightenin’ all the flavors.
- Olive Oil: heart-healthy fat that helps crisp up flautas for an extra satisfying crunch.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 (12.5 oz) can chicken, drained
- 1 cup salsa (your favorite kind works best)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar, whichever you like)
- 8 small flour tortillas
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spray or about 1 tablespoon olive oil
How to Make this
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or about 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
2. In a bowl, mix together the drained chicken, salsa, shredded cheese, ground cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Lay out your flour tortillas flat on a clean surface.
4. Spoon an even amount of the filling onto the center of each tortilla.
5. Roll each tortilla up tightly, making sure the filling stays inside.
6. Place the rolled flautas seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes until they look crispy and the cheese is all melted.
8. Once done, take them out of the oven and let them sit for a couple of minutes so they’re not too hot to handle.
9. Serve warm with extra salsa or your favorite dipping sauce if you like.
Equipment Needed
1. Oven – You’ll need an oven that can reach 400°F.
2. Baking sheet – Use a baking sheet that you’ll lightly grease.
3. Cooking spray or olive oil – Either a can of cooking spray or about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and something to apply it with.
4. Mixing bowl – A bowl that’s big enough to mix all your ingredients.
5. Spoon – For stirring the chicken, salsa, cheese and spices together.
6. Clean flat surface – A counter or table to lay out your flour tortillas and roll them up.
FAQ
Easy Chicken Flautas Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Chicken: If you’re out of canned chicken, try using shredded rotisserie chicken or even turkey breast for a similar effect.
- Salsa: In case you dont have your favorite salsa on hand, you can use pico de gallo or diced tomatoes with a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt.
- Cheese: Pepper jack or mozzarella can work too if you cant find Mexican blend or cheddar. They add a different but tasty twist.
- Flour Tortillas: You might also opt for small corn tortillas if you prefer a gluten free option although they might be a bit more delicate.
- Spices: If you dont have ground cumin or garlic powder, a light dusting of taco seasoning can be a good substitute.
Pro Tips
1. Try brushing your tortillas lightly with olive oil before rolling them up. It not only prevents them from drying out but also gives you that extra crispy texture on the outside once its baked.
2. If you like things a bit spicier, mix in a pinch of chipotle powder or add some diced jalapenos to your filling. It really amps the flavor without messing up the overall mix.
3. When you roll your tortillas, don’t be afraid to pack the filling a little tighter than usual. This makes sure you get a good balance of chicken, salsa and cheese in every bite and keeps them from falling apart on you.
Easy Chicken Flautas Recipe
I love trying new twists on chicken dinner recipes that bring a burst of flavor without any fuss. Imagine tender canned chicken mingled with your favorite salsa and melted cheese, accented by hints of cumin and garlic powder, all nestled in soft flour tortillas. It's a deliciously simple dish perfect for busy evenings.
4
servings
380
kcal
Equipment: 1. Oven – You’ll need an oven that can reach 400°F.
2. Baking sheet – Use a baking sheet that you’ll lightly grease.
3. Cooking spray or olive oil – Either a can of cooking spray or about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and something to apply it with.
4. Mixing bowl – A bowl that’s big enough to mix all your ingredients.
5. Spoon – For stirring the chicken, salsa, cheese and spices together.
6. Clean flat surface – A counter or table to lay out your flour tortillas and roll them up.
Ingredients
-
1 (12.5 oz) can chicken, drained
-
1 cup salsa (your favorite kind works best)
-
1 cup shredded cheese (Mexican blend or cheddar, whichever you like)
-
8 small flour tortillas
-
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
-
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
Cooking spray or about 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or about 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- In a bowl, mix together the drained chicken, salsa, shredded cheese, ground cumin, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Lay out your flour tortillas flat on a clean surface.
- Spoon an even amount of the filling onto the center of each tortilla.
- Roll each tortilla up tightly, making sure the filling stays inside.
- Place the rolled flautas seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 to 20 minutes until they look crispy and the cheese is all melted.
- Once done, take them out of the oven and let them sit for a couple of minutes so they're not too hot to handle.
- Serve warm with extra salsa or your favorite dipping sauce if you like.
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 150g
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 380kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Polyunsaturated: 3g
- Monounsaturated: 7g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sodium: 800mg
- Potassium: 250mg
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Vitamin A: 300IU
- Vitamin C: 10mg
- Calcium: 300mg
- Iron: 2mg
