Barbecue flavors meet crispy Mexican-inspired flautas in this delicious recipe for Barbecue Chicken Flautas. They take everything you love about a BBQ chicken pizza and roll it inside a flour tortilla before baking or frying it until golden and crisp.

The creamy chicken filling is loaded with shredded chicken, tangy barbecue sauce, and plenty of melted cheese. Sweet bites of pineapple balance the smoky sauce, while red onion and fresh cilantro add color and a bright, fresh flavor.

BBQ chicken flautas baked until golden and crispy

Each flauta is crispy on the outside and warm, cheesy, and flavorful on the inside. They make a fun family dinner, party appetizer, or game-day snack. Serve them with extra barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients for Barbecue Chicken Flautas

COOKED CHICKEN – Shredded cooked chicken forms the base of the filling. Rotisserie chicken works especially well and makes this recipe quick and easy, but any leftover cooked chicken will work.
CREAM CHEESE – Softened cream cheese makes the filling rich, creamy, and easy to hold together. Let it come to room temperature before mixing so it blends smoothly with the other ingredients.
MOZZARELLA CHEESE – Shredded mozzarella adds a mild, creamy flavor and gives the filling plenty of cheesy goodness. It melts well without overpowering the barbecue sauce and pineapple.
BBQ SAUCE – Barbecue sauce gives the flautas their signature sweet, smoky, and tangy flavor. Use your family’s favorite sauce, whether you prefer it sweet, smoky, spicy, or a combination of all three.
PINEAPPLE TIDBITS – Pineapple adds little bursts of sweetness that pair perfectly with the barbecue chicken. Drain the pineapple thoroughly so the filling doesn’t become too wet. I cut the tidbits into smaller pieces.
RED ONION – Finely diced red onion adds a slightly sharp flavor and a little crunch. Cutting it into small pieces helps it blend evenly throughout the filling.
CILANTRO – Fresh cilantro gives the filling a bright, fresh flavor that balances the rich cheese and smoky barbecue sauce. You can reduce the amount or leave it out if your family doesn’t enjoy cilantro. Green onion is a great alternative.
GARLIC POWDER – Garlic powder adds savory flavor without introducing extra moisture or large pieces of garlic into the creamy filling.
ONION POWDER – Onion powder enhances the flavor of the red onion and helps season the chicken mixture evenly.
PAPRIKA – Paprika contributes a mild, slightly smoky flavor and adds warmth to the barbecue-inspired filling. Smoked paprika can be used for an even deeper smoky taste.
SALT – A small amount of salt brings all the flavors together. Taste the filling before adding too much since the chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce may already contain salt.
PEPPER – Black pepper adds a subtle touch of heat and helps balance the sweetness of the barbecue sauce and pineapple.
FAJITA SIZED FLOUR TORTILLAS – Fajita-size tortillas are the perfect size for rolling into flautas. Flour tortillas are soft, flexible, and less likely to crack than corn tortillas. Warming them briefly before filling makes them even easier to roll.

Overhead view of BBQ chicken flautas on a plate

Instructions for Barbecue Chicken Flautas

Start by preheating the oven to 450 degrees. While the oven heats, add the cooked chicken, cream cheese, mozzarella, barbecue sauce, pineapple, red onion, cilantro, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Stir everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined and the chicken is well coated in the creamy barbecue mixture.

Spoon some of the filling onto each flour tortilla, placing it near one edge so the tortilla is easier to roll. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling, then place it seam-side down on a baking sheet. Be careful not to overfill the tortillas, or the filling may spill out as they bake.

Lightly brush each flauta with canola oil to help the tortillas turn golden and crispy in the oven. Bake them for 7 minutes, then carefully turn each flauta over so the seam is facing up. Return them to the oven and bake for another 7 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and lightly browned.

Let the flautas cool for a few minutes before serving. This recipe makes about 6 servings and is delicious with extra barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken for these flautas?
Yes. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and adds plenty of flavor. Remove the skin, shred the meat, and measure the amount needed for the filling. Leftover grilled, baked, or slow-cooked chicken will also work.

Can I make Barbecue Chicken Flautas ahead of time?
You can prepare the filling up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. For the crispiest results, wait to fill and roll the tortillas until you’re ready to bake them.

How do I keep the tortillas from cracking when I roll them?
Flour tortillas are usually flexible, but warming them briefly makes them even easier to roll. Place the tortillas between damp paper towels and microwave them for about 15 to 30 seconds. Keep them covered while assembling the flautas so they remain soft.

Why are my baked flautas not crispy?
Make sure the flautas are lightly coated with oil and arranged in a single layer with space between them. Overcrowding the baking sheet can trap moisture and prevent the tortillas from crisping. Turning them halfway through baking also helps both sides brown evenly.

Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes. Place the rolled flautas seam-side down in the air-fryer basket and lightly brush or spray them with oil. Air fry at 375 degrees for approximately 7 to 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and crispy. Cook them in batches so the basket isn’t overcrowded.

What kind of barbecue sauce works best?
Use a barbecue sauce you already enjoy. A sweet and smoky sauce pairs especially well with the pineapple, but a spicy, honey barbecue, or tangy vinegar-based sauce can also be used. The flavor of the sauce will have a noticeable effect on the finished flautas.

Can I substitute a different cheese for the mozzarella?
Yes. Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, cheddar, or a Mexican cheese blend would all work well. Pepper Jack is a good choice if you’d like to give the filling a little extra heat.

What can I serve with Barbecue Chicken Flautas?
Serve them with a green salad, coleslaw, corn, fresh fruit, seasoned rice, or roasted vegetables. They also make a fun appetizer with barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, sour cream, or chipotle ranch for dipping.

How should I store leftover flautas?
Let the flautas cool, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to three or four days. To help them stay crisp, place a paper towel in the container to absorb excess moisture.

What is the best way to reheat the flautas?
Reheat them in a 375-degree oven or air fryer until warmed through and crispy. The microwave will work, but it tends to soften the tortillas.

Can I freeze Barbecue Chicken Flautas?
Yes. Arrange the rolled, unbaked flautas on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to two months. Bake from frozen, adding extra cooking time as needed, or thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

BBQ chicken flautas served on a plate with dipping sauce

Tips and Tricks

Soften the cream cheese first. Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature before mixing the filling. Softened cream cheese blends much more easily with the chicken, barbecue sauce, cheese, and seasonings, giving you a smooth and evenly combined filling.
Drain the pineapple thoroughly. Too much liquid can make the filling watery and prevent the tortillas from getting crisp. Drain the pineapple well, and pat it dry with a paper towel if it still seems especially wet.
Warm the tortillas before rolling. Briefly warming the tortillas makes them softer and less likely to crack. Wrap them in a damp paper towel and microwave them for about 15 to 30 seconds, then keep them covered while you assemble the flautas.
Don’t overfill the tortillas. Use just enough filling to create a neat line near one edge of each tortilla. Overfilling can make the flautas difficult to roll and may cause the filling to spill out during baking.
Brush all sides lightly with oil. A thin, even coating of oil helps the tortillas turn golden and crispy. Make sure to leave a little space between the flautas on the baking sheet and turn them halfway through baking so both sides crisp evenly.

Barbecue Chicken Flautas

Ingredients for Barbecue Chicken Flautas

Instructions for Barbecue Chicken Flautas

Frequently Asked Questions

Tips and Tricks

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