Crispy Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Introduction

Crispy Chicken Taquitos are a flavorful and easy-to-make snack or meal perfect for any occasion. These rolled tortillas filled with a cheesy, seasoned chicken mixture bake up golden and crunchy, making them irresistible finger food.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• ¼ cup salsa
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• Cooking spray or oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, salsa, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. Step 3: Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 20 seconds to make them pliable.
4. Step 4: Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the filling onto one side of each tortilla and roll tightly.
5. Step 5: Place seam-side down on the baking sheet and brush each taquito lightly with oil.
6. Step 6: Bake for 15–20 minutes until golden brown and crispy. For extra crunch, broil for an additional minute or two.
7. Step 7: Serve warm with chopped cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, or your choice of toppings.

Tips & Variations

• Use corn tortillas for a traditional flavor or flour tortillas for a softer texture.
• For spicier taquitos, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the filling.
• To make these vegetarian, substitute the chicken with black beans or seasoned sautéed vegetables.
• Make ahead by assembling the taquitos and freezing them; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to baking time.

Storage

Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes to keep them crispy. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?

Yes, leftover cooked chicken works perfectly. Just shred it finely before mixing with the other ingredients.

Can these taquitos be fried instead of baked?

Absolutely! For an extra crispy texture, you can deep-fry or pan-fry the rolled taquitos until golden brown. However, baking is a healthier alternative that still yields great crunch.

Crispy Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 63 reviews

These Crispy Chicken Taquitos are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired appetizer or meal. Filled with a savory mixture of shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bold spices, then rolled tightly in tortillas and baked to golden crispiness, they offer a perfect balance of creamy and crunchy textures. Serve them warm with your favorite toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or fresh cilantro for a crowd-pleasing snack or dinner.

• Author: zara
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 taquitos 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
• ¼ cup salsa
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Other

• 8 small flour or corn tortillas
• Cooking spray or oil (for brushing)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the taquitos cook evenly and don’t stick.
2. Make filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, salsa, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a creamy filling.
3. Warm tortillas: To make rolling easier, warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 20 seconds until they are pliable and flexible without breaking.
4. Assemble taquitos: Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto one side of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling to create a compact roll with the seam side down on the baking sheet to prevent unrolling.
5. Prepare for baking: Lightly brush each taquito with oil or spritz with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.
6. Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the taquitos for 15 to 20 minutes or until they become golden brown and crispy on the outside. Optionally, broil for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to intensify crispiness, watching carefully to avoid burning.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm garnished with chopped cilantro, sour cream, guacamole, or your preferred toppings for added flavor and freshness.

Notes

• Use either flour or corn tortillas depending on your preference; corn tortillas yield a more traditional flavor.
• For extra spice, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
• Leftover taquitos can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.
• To make ahead, assemble taquitos and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag; bake directly from frozen adding a few extra minutes to baking time.
• Ensure the cream cheese is softened for easier mixing to achieve a smooth filling.

Keywords: chicken taquitos, crispy taquitos, baked taquitos, Mexican appetizer, easy taquitos recipe, shredded chicken, cream cheese filling