Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas

There are so many opportunities to cook for parties over the holidays and these flautas made with small tortillas or cut in half and served with guacamole would make an excellent appetizer! - 37 Cooks

Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas
by Lauren

These baked flautas are by far the most popular recipe I've ever created, and it’s for good reason – they’re fantastic and one of my personal favorites. By baking instead of frying, sneaking in some vegetables, and doing a neat trick with the tortillas, they’re definitely a fresher take on a classic dish.

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4)

16 ounces beer (or chicken broth)

2 cups water

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 jalapeno pepper, minced

3 cups baby spinach, chopped

5 burrito-size flour tortillas (9 inches)

6 ounces Queso Quesadilla or other melting cheese, shredded

1 teaspoon olive oil, or cooking spray

Salsa, for serving

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

Put the chicken thighs in a deep-sided saute pan and cover with the beer and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the liquid and shred it. Mix together the chicken and seasonings.

Pour out all but 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Add the jalapeno and spinach and cook over low heat until for 2-3 minutes, or until the spinach is wilted.

Cut the tortillas in half. Spoon 1/10th of the chicken (about 1 Tablespoon) along the long edge of a tortilla. Repeat with the spinach and cheese. Roll the tortilla up, starting with the straight edge. Place seam-side down on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Brush the flautas with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes, then turn them over and bake for until 10 minutes, or until crispy. Serve with salsa.