Cook & Uncork March 23rd, 2021 - Salsa Verde Chicken Flautas
Cook & Uncork #2 under our belts! This month, we paired Salsa Verde Chicken Flautas with Viente Malbec - P E R F E C T for any taco, burrito, or flauta occasion & of course all iterations of! Wine is OOS, but so many amazing clean crafted bottles are new or still available!
As many of you already know, making “healthier” versions of my favorite restaurant items or more indulgent foods is something I absolutely love to do! This is a take on a fried chicken flauta, so fresh, flavor packed & perfect for any occasion! Best part, you can add or swap anything you want! More of a red salsa person? Swap for red or enchilada sauce. Gluten free? Swap for corn or your favorite GF tortillas. Don’t eat meat? Make it veggie with a black bean or tofu mixture! The options are endless. Who is joining me next time? Cheers to continuing to cook together!
Cook & Uncork
Let’s be honest, who DOESN’T love a theme night? Taco night is my jam. Also, you can do so much with it when it comes to variations! I like to think of a flauta as a cross between a taquito, enchilada, and a taco. Like the three of them added a few characteristics and those made a little roll up of flavorful love!
Also, we might not think it, but we can make taco night a lot healthier! Lighten up on some of the sauces by making your own cough cough the cilantro cream sauce made with yogurt! No sour cream, no mayo. Salsa verde is also SO clean! Of course if you don’t make it, watch your labels! But so delicious and full of fresh flavor.
Drinks? No need for a sugar filled marg! Swap for a Clean Crafted option - for me it was Viente Malbec from Scout & Cellar. OR, more of a cocktail guy or gal? We offer a MIXABLE! What is a mixable you ask? A sub for spirits made in the same clean crafted process! Shake some Wilderness Road with ice, fresh lime juice, agave & top with sparkling water! Want to get crazy? Add a jalapeno for spice or switch it up with grapefruit! Skip the sugar and the chemicals when you go clean crafted! Never go a Wednesday (post taco Tuesday) dreading your drinking decisions again!
Get your glasses out, pour a drink of choice, and let’s get cookin’!
Ingredients:
2 Large Chicken Breasts - if you want you are welcome to use thighs as well!
1 Package of Small (Taco) Tortillas- smaller are best IMO! Flour will be easiest but if needed use your favorite gluten free option!
1 Jar of Salsa Verde - I buy mine at Trader Joes. Other options at the regular grocery store are Herdez, La Preferida, Goya
1 Small Red Onion
1 Bag Shredded White Cheddar or Mexican Blend
1 Single Serve Plain Yogurt (mine is greek!)
2 Limes
Fresh Cilantro - If you don't do cilantro, no worries! Skip it or grab a small bunch of parsley or basil.
Cherry Tomatoes
1-2 Avocados **make sure to buy these a few days in advance if they need to ripen!
Optional: fresh jalapeno for extra spice!
Pantry Ingredients:
Olive Oil
Garlic Powder
Chili Powder
Paprika
Salt & Pepper
Wilderness Road is a Clean Crafted substitute for your favorite spirits! This one specifically for vodka or tequila!
Shake up 2oz Wilderness Road, Juice of 2 Limes, Splash Fresh OJ, Squeeze Agave - Pour over ice & top with sparkling water! You’ve got yourself a darn delicious “skinny” marg!
ABV: 19.5%
Residual Sugar: ~0.7 g/L
750mL - Vegan
How To:
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees & have a baking dish out & ready
Chop your small red onion or 1/2 large onion into small pieces (they are going inside the flautas!)
In your baking dish:
Add a small drizzle of EVOO to the bottom, ~1/2 the jar of Salsa Verde, the chopped red onions
Pat dry your chicken & place on top of the EVOO + Salsa + Red onion mixture
Season your chicken with lots of salt, pepper, garlic powder & chili powder
Top the chicken breasts with a small bit of extra salsa verde
Put the chicken in the oven for ~25-28 minutes depending on the size (check & add more time if needed!)
While the chicken cooks - make your cilantro cream dipping sauce
In a small/medium bowl: add greek yogurt, juice of 1-2 limes (depending on your preference), drizzle EVOO, handful chopped cilantro, dash of S&P, garlic powder & Paprika. Mix & set aside
Chop your toppings: jalapeno, tomato, avocado - set aside
When chicken is cooked through, shred with two forks (or a hand mixer) and toss in the sauces it cooked in
Take your tortillas - add chicken + cheese & roll em up! Place on a clean baking dish! **Leave some space in between them!
Drizzle the tops with EVOO & place back in the oven for 8 minutes, or broil them until crisp! **IF broiling, watch them carefully!
Top with your fave fixings & enjoy with a glass of vino or a cocktail!