Description
These Crispy Chicken Taquitos are a delicious Mexican-inspired appetizer or main course featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with flavorful spices and cheeses, rolled in tortillas, and baked to golden perfection. Perfectly crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside, they are an easy-to-make crowd-pleaser that can also be air fried for an alternative cooking method.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese (softened)
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Tortillas & Finishing
- 10–12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Olive oil spray or light brushing for crisping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and aid in easy cleanup.
- Prepare the filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, shredded Mexican blend cheese, softened cream cheese, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Warm the tortillas: Slightly warm the tortillas by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 20–30 seconds. This makes them more pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Assemble the taquitos: Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto each warm tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling and place it seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add oil for crispness: Lightly spray or brush the tops of the rolled taquitos with olive oil to help them crisp up while baking.
- Bake the taquitos: Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy.
- Optional broiling: For extra crispiness, broil the taquitos for an additional 1–2 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the taquitos hot with your choice of salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.
Notes
- Air frying option: You can also cook these taquitos in an air fryer at 400°F for 8–10 minutes until crispy.
- Add heat: For a spicy version, add diced green chiles or a dash of hot sauce to the filling mixture.
- Tortilla choice: Both corn and flour tortillas work well. Choose based on your preference or dietary needs.
- Storing leftovers: Keep leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
