Chicken Flautas With Cotija And Salsa Roja Recipes

EASY TRADITIONAL MEXICAN CHICKEN FLAUTAS RECIPE

Steps:

• Place chicken in a medium saucepan, add water to cover. Cook on medium heat, simmering for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
• Drain chicken and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, shred or chop into small pieces. Toss the chicken with the salt, chile powder & pepper and set aside in a medium bowl.
• Heat up your tortillas in the microwave until very soft.
• On your prep surface place a tortilla and scoop about 3-6 Tbs of chicken filling in your tortilla on one side. Roll tortilla into a flute shape. Place on a plate and press down with seam side down, this helps hold the flute shape. Continue until all flautas are rolled.
• In a large skillet with 1/4 inch of oil, heat until oil is hot. You can test your oil either by placing a small piece of corn tortillas in the oil or a chopstick. If small bubbles form immediately, it is hot enough. Fry tortillas, turning as needed until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve with optional garnishes and sides.

CHICKEN FLAUTAS WITH COTIJA AND SALSA ROJA

Steps:

• 1. Combine spices and 2 teas. of salt and sprinkle evenly over chicken breasts. Heat 2 Tbl. oil in a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat, and add chicken, sliced onion, and 1 clove garlic. Cook until the chicken is browned and no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken, onion and garlic to a medium bowl and allow to cool until able to handle.
• 2. While the chicken rests, make the salsa roja; Puree the chopped onion, remaining garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, and cilantro in a blender until smooth, about one minute. Add 1 Tlb. of oil to the sauté pan and heat tomato mixture until slightly thickened and reduced to two cups, about 18-20 minutes. Season the mixture to taste and transfer salsa to a serving bowl, reserving 1/3 cup.
• 3. Using your fingers, shred the cooled chicken, and toss with the reserved salsa and the crumbled cotija, mixing well. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
• 4. Preheat oven to 435^, with racks in upper and lower thirds, and line two 10x15 inch rimmed baking trays with foil. Wipe out saute pan and add remaining oil. Fry tortillas one at a time for 2-3 seconds per side until just soft; remove from oil and place on one of the prepared trays in sets of four. Place 2 Tbs. filling in a vertical line down the center of each softened tortilla, and roll up tightly.Place seam-side down on the second tray, leaving 2 inches of space between each flauta. Repeat with remaining tortillas, arranging half on each tray. Bake 30-35 minutes, alternating racks and rotating trays halfway through cooking time until flautas are crisp and deep golden. Serve warm with salsa roja on the side.

SALSA ROJA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy plastic on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to 1/2-inch thickness.
• Combine flour, salt, and ground black pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in flour mixture.
• Coat a large skillet with olive oil; heat over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add chicken; cook until golden brown, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip chicken and continue cooking until second side is golden brown, about 4 minutes more.
• Stir diced tomatoes, salsa, chili powder, and cumin into the skillet. Cook until flavors combine, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and lime juice; stir to blend. Transfer chicken to a serving platter. Add 3 ounces cotija cheese and tortilla pieces to the sauce; simmer, about 1 minute. Spoon sauce over chicken on the platter.
• Garnish chicken with remaining 1 ounce cotija cheese and fresh cilantro.

CHICKEN FLAUTAS

Steps:

• Scoop the avocado flesh into a blender. Add the sour cream and the juice of 1/2 lime and pulse until smooth. Season with salt.
• Squeeze the remaining 1/2 lime over the radishes in a small bowl and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Toss the chicken with 3/4 cup salsa in a medium bowl.
• Heat 3/4 inch of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in paper towels and microwave until soft, about 45 seconds. Spoon the chicken mixture down the middle of the tortillas. Fold in the ends and roll up like a burrito; secure with toothpicks.
• Working in batches, fry the flautas in the oil, turning as needed, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with tongs; drain on paper towels and remove the toothpicks. Serve with the avocado cream, radishes, cilantro, lime wedges and the remaining 3/4 cup salsa.