Why Make This Recipe
Crispy Chicken Taquitos are a delicious and satisfying option for lunch, dinner, or a snack. They are easy to prepare and can be loved by both kids and adults. Using simple ingredients, you can make a fun dish that is perfect for sharing or serving at gatherings. Plus, you can customize them with different fillings or toppings to suit your taste!
How to Make Crispy Chicken Taquitos
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 12-15 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup diced green chiles
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for baking)
- Oil for frying (if making fried version)
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Guacamole (for serving)
- Salsa verde or red salsa (for serving)
- Hot sauce (for serving)
- Lime wedges (for serving)
- Fresh cilantro (for serving)
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, Mexican cheese blend, diced green chiles, and fresh cilantro. Season with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in damp paper towels and microwaving for 30-45 seconds or heating them in a dry skillet for 10-15 seconds per side.
- Place 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling along one edge of each tortilla, roll tightly, and secure each taquito with a toothpick.
- For baked taquitos, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush the taquitos with oil, place them on a baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. For fried taquitos, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Let the taquitos rest for 5-10 minutes. Remove toothpicks and serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
How to Serve Crispy Chicken Taquitos
Crispy Chicken Taquitos are best served warm with a side of sour cream, guacamole, and salsa. You can also add hot sauce or lime wedges for extra flavor. They make for a great appetizer, snack, or even a fun meal!
How to Store Crispy Chicken Taquitos
If you have leftover taquitos, let them cool down, then store them in an airtight container. In the refrigerator, they can last for up to three days. To reheat, bake them in the oven for a few minutes until they are hot and crispy again.
Tips to Make Crispy Chicken Taquitos
- For extra crispiness, brush the taquitos with more oil before baking or frying.
- Make sure to warm the tortillas well to prevent cracking when rolling.
- Experiment with different fillings, such as black beans or peppers, to change things up.
Variation
You can switch up the filling by using shredded beef, pork, or even vegetables for a vegetarian version. Try adding spices or other ingredients that you enjoy!
FAQs
1. Can I make taquitos in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the filling and even roll the taquitos ahead of time. Just keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them.
2. Are taquitos gluten-free?
If you use corn tortillas, taquitos can be gluten-free. Always check the label of the tortillas to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
3. Can I freeze taquitos?
Yes, taquitos freeze well. Just freeze them before cooking. When ready to eat, cook them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Crispy Chicken Taquitos
Ingredients
For the filling
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup diced green chiles
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- to taste Salt and black pepper
For assembly and cooking
- 12-15 small corn or flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for baking)
- to taste Oil for frying (if making fried version)
For serving
- to taste Sour cream
- to taste Guacamole
- to taste Salsa verde or red salsa
- to taste Hot sauce
- to taste Lime wedges
- to taste Fresh cilantro
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, Mexican cheese blend, diced green chiles, and fresh cilantro. Season with cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
- Warm the tortillas by wrapping them in damp paper towels and microwaving for 30-45 seconds or heating them in a dry skillet for 10-15 seconds per side.
- Place 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling along one edge of each tortilla, roll tightly, and secure each taquito with a toothpick.
Cooking
- For baked taquitos, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush the taquitos with oil, place them on a baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- For fried taquitos, heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Let the taquitos rest for 5-10 minutes. Remove toothpicks and serve with your favorite dipping sauces.