Crispy Baked Flautas with Chicken and Spinach
Sneak Preview: Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas are a simple, crispy delight made with flour tortillas, rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and cheese. Customize with your favorite toppings and condiments for a Tex-Mex-inspired meal the whole family will love!
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Baked flautas are my go-to solution whenever I have a partial package of fresh spinach hanging out in my fridge. In addition to spinach, you’ll need some flour tortillas, leftover rotisserie chicken (which I freeze for occasions like this), and spicy cheese like Pepper Jack.
What Makes This One Worth Sharing
- Simple Ingredients: Just tortillas, chicken, cheese, and spinach—easy to upgrade with extras.
- Adaptable: Swap proteins, skip the spinach, or spice it up to taste.
- Quick Baking: Works in an oven, toaster oven, air fryer, or grill.
- Great for Small Batches: Easy to scale for one or two.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Note: Whatever is listed first is my first choice.
- FLOUR TORTILLAS
• Uncooked tortillas (TortillaLand preferred)
• Thin, store-bought cooked tortillas
• Homemade tortillas
• Corn tortillas for gluten-free - CHICKEN
• Shredded rotisserie chicken
• Ground beef, roast beef, or turkey
• Lunch meat - CHEESE
• Pepper Jack for spice
• Monterey Jack or Cheddar for mild flavor
• Add jalapeños or cayenne for more heat - SPINACH
• Fresh spinach (microwaved or sautéed)
• Frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry)
• Sub with sautéed peppers, onions, or black beans
• Omit for picky eaters
? Cook’s Tip: Leftover spinach? Try it in Spinach Bread with Parmesan or Cheesy Spinach-Stuffed Shells.
Step-by-Step: Making Flautas with Chicken and Spinach
① Preheat Oven
Preheat to 450°F (230°C).
② Prep Tortillas
Cook uncooked tortillas as directed. For large pre-cooked tortillas, cut in half if needed. Microwave precooked tortillas just until pliable.
③ Prepare Spinach
• Fresh: Microwave until wilted, then squeeze dry.
• Frozen: Thaw and squeeze out liquid.
?Tip: Use kitchen shears to cut cook spinach–easier to eat.
④ Assemble Flautas
Add cheese, chicken, and spinach down the center of each tortilla.
⑤ Roll and Arrange
Tightly roll tortillas and place seam-side down on a lined baking sheet.
⑥ Spray with Oil
Lightly coat with olive or coconut oil spray.
⑦ Bake Until Crispy
Bake 8 minutes. Flip, then bake 5–8 more minutes until golden all over.
?Tip: Press seams down gently if they start to open.
Crispy Baked Flautas with Chicken and Spinach
Ingredients
- 6 flour tortillas 6 to 8-inches in diameter
- 3 cups (113 g) fresh spinach, chopped 4 ounces
- 1½ cup (170 g) rotisserie chicken, shredded 6 ounces
- 1½ cups (170 g) Monterrey Jack cheese or Pepper Jack, shredded 6 ounces
- Olive oil or coconut oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450˚F (230˚C).
- Prepare the tortillas: If using uncooked tortillas, cook 6 flour tortillasccording to the package directions. For larger, pre-cooked tortillas (over 6 inches), consider cutting them in half.
- Wilt the spinach: Place 3 cups (113 g) fresh spinach, chopped into a hot skillet, and heat just until wilted. Or, microwave fresh spinach in a small covered bowl until the leaves wilt. Press out as much liquid as possible.If using frozen spinach, defrost and press out as much liquid as you can.
- Assemble the flautas: Distribute equal amounts of 1½ cup (170 g) rotisserie chicken, shredded, 1½ cups (170 g) Monterrey Jack cheese or Pepper Jack, shredded, and spinach down the center of each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly and place them seam-side down on a lined baking sheet (use non-stick foil, parchment paper, or a silicone mat for easy cleanup).
- Spray with oil: Lightly coat both sides of rolled tortillas with Olive oil or coconut oil spray.
- Bake: Bake for 8 minutes, then carefully flip the flautas seam-side up.Bake for another 5–8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Check seams: If the seams pop open after flipping, gently press them down before continuing to bake.
- Enjoy your crispy flautas with your favorite dips and toppings!
Equipment
Nutrition
All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com
Serving Suggestions
- Pair flautas with condiments like fresh guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or ranch dressing for added flavor.
- Serve flautas on a bed of lettuce with shredded cheese and your favorite condiments for a fresh and colorful presentation.
- Struggle with picking the perfect avocado? Check out my tips for choosing ripe avocados to make guacamole frustration-free!
Variations
- Try breakfast versions with eggs and sausage.
- Make vegetarian options with beans and veggies.
FAQ About Flautas
- What’s the difference between flautas and taquitos?
- Flautas are typically made with flour tortillas, while taquitos use corn.
- Why are my tortillas breaking?
- Warm them first to make them pliable. Wrap six tortillas in wet paper towels and microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds.
- How do I prevent sticking?
- Spray your pan lightly with oil or use parchment paper.
- Can I freeze leftover flautas?
- Double-wrap cooled flautas.
- Bake at 350°F to reheat.
Final Thoughts
If you love quick and versatile recipes like these baked flautas, consider making this Thick Chicken Tortilla Soup, soothing Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Soup, or this family favorite, Weeknight Potato Chip Casserole with Chicken and Cheese.
Need help troubleshooting? Email me: Paula at saladinajar.com—photos welcome!
Can I use low carb tortillas? I have made your recipe with regular and it is delicious! Some of us need the low carb though….
Hi Margaret,
Yes. Use your favorite tortillas–low carb or otherwise. Doesn’t matter.
Love the recipe for Simple Baked Flautas with Chicken, however, there is a
problem with printing it. When I try to print it, it goes back to another page.
Thanks for all your hard work. Makes mine easier.
Mary
Hi Mary Lee,
Good to hear that you like the recipe. I’m so glad you wrote. I got in touch with my amazing tech guy and he’s on the case. Thanks for letting me know.
You are singing my song, Paula! I love quesadillas made with these ingredients, and I often use mushrooms, spinach and cheese alone. However, I have never considered freezing rotisserie chicken, so yet another great idea from you. I find one every time I log onto your site. So you have given me inspiration since I rarely think of this when I have that partial bag of fresh spinach. Thank you. I hope you and yours are well.
And now you are giving me inspiration. Why have I not thought of throwing some mushrooms in flautas before now? I love mushrooms and will be trying your idea very soon. I make lots of quesadillas, too, but flautas are more fun to eat. ?
I know how I am cutting avocados going forward! Who knew? Plus, these flautas look terrific, I’m always looking for more ideas for those Costco roast chickens.
How do people survive without $5 Costco chickens? 🙂
These look good! I’m always looking for new ideas for dinner that don’t require a lot of time or energy. 🙂 You are such a lucky Mimi! My grandbabies are both far away. I did have one for the whole summer though- I just sent him back to your neck of the woods. He calls us Mimi and Papa too. 🙂