When was the chicken flautas invented?

There's no definitive answer to when chicken flautas were invented! Here's why:

* Traditional Mexican Cuisine: Flautas are a traditional Mexican dish, likely stemming from the "taquitos" or small tacos that were popular in Mexico for centuries. These were likely rolled up tortillas filled with various meats and cheeses, and the evolution to flautas (which are often deep-fried and more elongated) is gradual and likely happened over time.

* No Single Inventor: Unlike some dishes with a clear origin story, the development of flautas likely occurred in various homes and kitchens across Mexico, with variations emerging based on local ingredients and preferences.

* Modern Popularity: While flautas have long existed in Mexico, their popularity in the United States and other countries has grown more recently, leading to more widespread recognition and variations.

Therefore, while we can't pinpoint an exact year, it's safe to say that chicken flautas (and flautas in general) have been a part of Mexican culinary traditions for centuries, with their origins dating back to pre-colonial times.