Name: Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 white onion, quartered; 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast; 2 tablespoons kosher salt (divided); 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce; 2 tablespoons adobo sauce; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice (from 1 lime); ½ cup sour cream; 3 cups shredded pepper Jack or Monterey Jack cheese; 12 (6 to 8-inch) flour tortillas; Vegetable oil, for frying

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 147 reviews

If you’re craving something crispy, cheesy, and bursting with smoky spice, I’ve got just the thing for you. This Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe is one of my absolute favorites — perfect for a cozy weeknight when you want a meal that’s impressive yet easy to pull together. Once you roll these up, fry them until golden, and take that first crunchy bite, you’ll understand why my family goes crazy for this one. Stick with me here; I’ll share all the tips and tricks you need to nail it at home.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Amazing Flavor: The chipotle pepper and adobo sauce give it a smoky, spicy kick that’s balanced by creamy cheese and sour cream.
Crunchy Texture: Crispy, golden fried tortillas add a satisfying crunch every time.
Easy Prep: Once you’ve shredded the chicken, the filling comes together quickly for fast assembly.
Family Favorite: These flautas disappear fast—perfect for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.

The image shows eleven golden brown rolled tacos arranged in three rows on a white metal baking rack set on a white marbled surface. Each taco is tightly rolled with a crisp, slightly bubbly texture and some darker brown spots where the shell is more cooked. The ends of the tacos are slightly open, revealing a dark filling inside. The tacos are evenly spaced, and the lighting highlights the warm, crispy texture of the shells. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chipotle Chicken Flautas, crispy chicken flautas, smoky chicken appetizers, easy Mexican flautas, cheesy chicken snacks

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients work together harmoniously, creating layers of flavor you’ll want to savor. When you shop, look for fresh tortillas and quality chipotle peppers in adobo—that smoky heat is key to making this Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe sing.

Flat lay of a quartered white onion, two boneless skinless chicken breasts, a small white bowl of kosher salt, a small white bowl with ground cumin, a small white bowl with chili powder, a small white bowl with garlic powder, one chipotle pepper in adobo sauce on a white ceramic dish, a small white bowl of adobo sauce, a small white bowl with fresh lime juice, a small white bowl of sour cream, a small white bowl filled with shredded pepper Jack cheese, a stack of flour tortillas arranged neatly, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Chipotle Chicken Flautas, crispy chicken flautas, smoky chicken appetizers, easy Mexican flautas, cheesy chicken snacks

White onion: Adds sweetness and depth; quartering makes it easy to boil with the chicken.
Boneless, skinless chicken breast: Shreds nicely and soaks up the spices; chicken thighs are a juicier substitute if you prefer.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken and the filling perfectly.
Ground cumin: Brings that earthy warmth central to Mexican-inspired dishes.
Chili powder: For mild heat and classic flavor, choose a good-quality blend.
Garlic powder: Convenient and flavorful, it enhances without overpowering.
Chipotle pepper in adobo sauce: The smoky, spicy heart of this recipe—don’t skimp!
Adobo sauce: From the chipotle can, adds smoky richness and moisture to the filling.
Fresh lime juice: Cuts through the richness with a bright, zesty punch.
Sour cream: Creates a creamy texture and cools the heat just right.
Shredded Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and ties all the flavors together.
Flour tortillas (6 to 8-inch): Perfect size for rolling tightly and frying crisp; fresh is best.
Vegetable oil: For frying; choose one with a high smoke point to get that perfect golden crust.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’ve played around with this Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe a bit, and you’ll find it’s really flexible. Feel free to swap out ingredients or add extras to suit your taste or dietary needs — it’s all about making this your go-to comfort meal.

Use chicken thighs: If you prefer juicier, more flavorful meat, thighs work beautifully and stay tender after shredding.
Make it spicy: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or extra chipotle for a bold heat boost.
Go vegetarian: Swap chicken with seasoned black beans and roasted veggies for a meatless version.
Try corn tortillas: For a gluten-free option, though they’re a bit trickier to roll and fry without breaking.

How to Make Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe

Step 1: Poach the Chicken and Shred It

First things first — place a cooling rack inside a rimmed sheet pan. This setup helps drain excess oil later when we fry. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the quartered onion, chicken breasts, and 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Lower the heat to medium, cover, and let the chicken cook gently until it reaches 165°F internal temperature, about 20 minutes. I love using an instant-read thermometer here to get that perfect juicy texture without drying the meat out. Once done, use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate and let it cool for just a bit before shredding with two forks.

Step 2: Mix the Flavorful Filling

In a large bowl, add the shredded chicken along with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, fresh lime juice, sour cream, and shredded cheese. Stir everything together until it’s evenly combined and creamy. This is the heart of your flautas, and I find mixing it all at once ensures every bite is deliciously balanced.

Step 3: Roll the Flautas

Spoon about ⅓ cup of the chicken filling onto the center of each flour tortilla. Spread it out a little, then roll the tortilla up tightly, tucking the seam underneath to keep everything sealed. Tight rolling is key here so the filling stays put when frying — loose flautas can fall apart, and nobody wants that mess!

Step 4: Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat it over medium-high. When the oil is shimmering and just starting to ripple, add your flautas seam-side down. Fry for approximately 2 minutes per side, turning carefully to get an even golden crust. I like keeping the heat just right to avoid burning while still crisping up the tortillas beautifully. Once done, transfer the flautas to your cooling rack to drain excess oil for a minute or two before serving.

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Pro Tips for Making Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe

Don’t Overfill: Keep the filling amount moderate to make rolling easier and prevent bursting during frying.
Pat Tortillas Dry: If your tortillas feel damp or dry, warm them wrapped in a towel to make rolling smoother.
Use a Thermometer: Cooking chicken to the perfect temperature avoids dryness — a kitchen thermometer is a game changer.
Oil Temperature Matters: Keep oil hot enough to crisp without burning; medium-high heat is usually ideal, but adjust as needed.

How to Serve Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe

A round white plate filled with eight golden brown rolled tacos, arranged in a loose pile. The tacos have crispy textured shells with slight browning and small spots, each filled with dark reddish-brown shredded meat. One taco is broken open near the center, revealing a light creamy filling inside. Small green chopped herbs are sprinkled over the tacos for garnish. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with two small white bowls nearby containing green guacamole and white sour cream. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chipotle Chicken Flautas, crispy chicken flautas, smoky chicken appetizers, easy Mexican flautas, cheesy chicken snacks

Garnishes

I always top these flautas with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of guacamole or salsa fresca. You’ll love how the freshness cuts through the richness and adds a pop of color that makes your plate irresistible.

Side Dishes

Pair your flautas with a simple Mexican rice, refried beans, or a crisp cabbage slaw to balance the fried goodness and complete the meal. I’m a sucker for serving it all alongside a tall glass of horchata or a cold cerveza for the full experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, I’ve arranged these flautas standing upright in a serving platter lined with fresh lettuce leaves — it not only looks festive but makes grabbing them easy during party mingling. You can also drizzle a bit of crema or chipotle mayo artistically across the top for added flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover flautas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to cool them completely before sealing to keep that crust from getting soggy. When I’m ready to eat, they still reheat nicely!

Freezing

If you want to freeze flautas, I recommend freezing them un-fried after you roll. Place them on a tray in a single layer, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. This way, you can fry them straight from the freezer whenever you want a quick snack or meal.

Reheating

To reheat, pop leftover or frozen flautas in a 375°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through and crisp again. I avoid microwaving since it makes them lose their crunch, which is what makes these flautas irresistible!

FAQs

Can I bake the Chipotle Chicken Flautas instead of frying?

Definitely! For a lighter version, brush the flautas with a bit of oil and bake them at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through to get crispy edges. While the texture won’t be as crunchy as frying, baking still delivers a delicious outcome.
How spicy is the chipotle pepper in this recipe?

Chipotle peppers have a medium heat with smoky notes. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with half a pepper and add more gradually. You can always complement with sour cream or guacamole to mellow the heat.
What’s the best cheese to use for these flautas?

Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack are ideal because they melt wonderfully without becoming oily or stringy. Pepper Jack adds a bit of spice, which pairs nicely with the chipotle flavor.
Can I prepare the chicken filling in advance?

Yes! You can poach and shred the chicken a day ahead and even mix the filling. Just store it covered in the fridge and roll your flautas right before frying to keep tortillas fresh and pliable.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Chipotle Chicken Flautas Recipe turns out every single time — the crispy exterior, creamy, smoky filling, and just the right amount of heat make it a winner for dinner or entertaining. When I first tried making these at home, I was amazed at how restaurant-quality they tasted with just a few simple ingredients and steps. If you want to impress your family or friends with something that feels both comforting and special, give this recipe a try. I promise once you do, flautas will be your new favorite way to enjoy chicken!