Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas

I spied this recipe on Pinterest, originally from Healthy Delicious.  I adore flautas, but I don't love the idea of frying tortillas, chicken and cheese in my own home, so this baked version is a much better option.  These flautas were amazing and I cannot wait to try them with other fillings.  The chicken preparation was awesome, nearly as good as crockpot chicken tacos in one tenth the time.  Both C and Miss F were big fans, this recipe makes a dozen flautas and I was only left with three after dinner.  I especially liked them and I was very happy with how crunchy they turned out without frying.

Baked Chicken and Spinach Flautas

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 bottle (12 ounces) beer
2 cups water
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 Jalapeno pepper, minced
2 cups baby spinach, chopped
12 flour tortillas (8 inch)
6 ounces shredded Colby jack cheese
cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.

In a large saucepan, combine the beer, water, salt, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder and half of the jalapeno. Add the chicken to the pan and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken and shred with two forks or add it to the bowl of your KitchenAid mixer with the paddle attachment and let her go.

Pour out all but ¼ cup of the cooking liquid. Add the remaining jalapeno and spinach; cook over low heat for a couple minutes, until the spinach is wilted.

Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the chicken mixture near the edge of the tortilla. Add a spoonful of spinach and cheese over top of the chicken. Roll the tortilla up tightly. Place seam-side down on a greased cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Spray the prepared flautas with cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes, flip over and back for 5 to 10 minutes more until the tortillas are golden brown. Serve with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.

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