Savoring Flavor and Ease: Easy Creamy Chicken Flautas for Weight Watchers
Smart Ingredient Choices: Creating an easy and creamy chicken flautas recipe that aligns with Weight Watchers involves smart choices in ingredients. Opt for lean, shredded chicken breast as the protein base. Use whole-grain or low-carb tortillas to add fiber without sacrificing taste. Incorporate light or fat-free cream cheese for a creamy texture without excess points. By making these thoughtful choices, you can indulge in the comforting flavors of flautas without straying from your SmartPoints goals.
Effortless Preparation: The appeal of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Start by combining shredded chicken with light cream cheese, allowing the creamy mixture to coat the chicken evenly. Add seasonings such as cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder to infuse the filling with robust flavor. The assembly process involves spooning the chicken mixture onto tortillas, rolling them tightly, and securing with toothpicks for easy baking or frying.
Balancing Creaminess and SmartPoints: Achieve a luscious creaminess in your flautas while keeping an eye on SmartPoints. Using light or fat-free cream cheese reduces the overall fat content, contributing to the dish’s creamy texture without adding excessive points. This balance ensures that you can relish in the rich flavors without compromising your commitment to mindful eating.
Baking vs. Frying Options: For a lighter preparation, consider baking the flautas instead of frying. Baking achieves a crispy texture without the need for additional oils, contributing to a healthier version of this classic dish. This alternative method aligns well with Weight Watchers principles, allowing you to enjoy a satisfying meal without an excess of SmartPoints.
Serving Suggestions and Freshness: Pair your creamy chicken flautas with fresh and vibrant accompaniments. A zesty salsa or a homemade pico de gallo can add a burst of flavor without contributing additional points. Incorporate a side of crisp, mixed greens for added freshness and nutritional value. These additions enhance the overall dining experience while staying in line with your Weight Watchers journey.
Customization for Variety: Feel free to get creative with your flautas by adding ingredients like diced green chilies, black beans, or sautéed vegetables to the chicken filling. These additions not only provide variety but also introduce additional nutrients and flavors to the dish. By experimenting with different combinations, you can customize your flautas while staying within your SmartPoints budget.
In conclusion, these easy creamy chicken flautas exemplify how you can enjoy a satisfying and flavorful meal while adhering to the principles of Weight Watchers. With smart ingredient choices, effortless preparation, and mindful cooking methods, you can relish in the rich, creamy goodness of flautas without compromising your commitment to a balanced and points-conscious lifestyle.
These Easy Creamy Chicken Flautas are packed with a creamy chicken mixture then rolled in a low point flour tortilla and then baked or air fried to perfection!! These are family friendly-perfect for an appetizer, snack, lunch, or dinner!
PREP TIME10 minutes
COOK TIME20 minutes
TOTAL TIME30 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup or 4 oz. light cream cheese, softened. I use Great Value light cream cheese
1 (4 oz.) can green chilies, not drained
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp cumin
Pinch of chili powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp sliced green onions, optional
1 (12.5 oz.) can cooked chicken-I use Kirkland canned chicken breast. You can use 1 1/4 cup any skinless, boneless cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken
1/4 cup reduced fat or fat free cheddar cheese
10 (8 -inch) low point tortillas- I use La Banderita Counter Low Carb Tortillas-that are 1 point each
Kosher salt
Garnish with your favorite toppings such as: salsa, guacamole, fat free sour cream, cilantro, ect.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non stick cooking spray or spray a wire rack with non stick cooking spray and place on a large baking sheet.
In a medium size mixing bowl combine, the softened light cream cheese, green chilies, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic powder. Mix well.
Fold in chicken, green onions, and shredded cheese. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
Put 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla and roll tortilla up as tight as you can.
Place tortillas seam side down on the baking sheet. Continue this process until all tortillas have been rolled up.
Spray the tops of the tortillas with cooking spray and then sprinkle some kosher salt on top, if desired
Bake for 10 minutes and then turn flautas over, spray the tops with non stick cooking spray and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until tortillas start to turn golden brown.
Garnish with your favorite toppings such as: salsa, guacamole, fat free sour cream, cilantro, ect.
2 -3 PersonalPoints per flauta
this number shows the PersonalPoints range. The points will vary based on your individualized plan.
Notes
Can these be made in advanced and do they freeze well?
Yes, they freeze great. You can freeze them prior’s to baking- place flautas in a freezer bag and store in your freezer for up to 3 months.
These don’t need to be thawed prior to cooking. To bake frozen flautas-preheat oven to 425 degrees and bake for 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden and heated through.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in oven at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes or air fry at 400 degrees for 3-5 minutes.
Smartpoints: GREEN: 3 smartpoints for 1 or 5 smartpoints for 2 BLUE/PURPLE: 2 smartpoints PER flauta