Description
Crispy golden baked chicken taquitos deliver a zesty Mexican-inspired delight packed with tender shredded chicken and melted cheese. Rolled tight and perfectly seasoned, these irresistible appetizers promise a crowd-pleasing crunch you’ll savor with every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup pepperjack cheese, shredded
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) salsa (red or green)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) chopped cilantro or parsley
- 2 small scallions, diced
Additional Ingredients:
- 12 6-inch flour tortillas (see note below for corn tortillas)
- Cooking spray
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, creating an ideal baking temperature for achieving crispy, golden taquitos.
- Create a flavor-packed filling by combining cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic, cilantro, and scallions in a mixing bowl until smooth and uniform.
- Gently incorporate shredded chicken and pepperjack cheese into the seasoned mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Soften tortillas using a microwave method with damp paper towels or quickly warm them on a dry skillet to enhance flexibility and prevent cracking.
- Position each tortilla and carefully spread the chicken mixture along the lower third of the surface, leaving adequate margin for rolling.
- Roll the tortillas tightly and securely, tucking in edges to prevent filling from escaping during baking.
- Arrange rolled taquitos seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each roll.
- Lightly mist the taquito surfaces with cooking spray and sprinkle kosher salt to enhance crispiness and flavor profile.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until the exterior turns golden brown and crisp.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly before serving alongside complementary dips like salsa, sour cream, or guacamole.
Notes
- Prevent tortilla cracking by warming them slightly before rolling, which increases flexibility and reduces breakage.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar or monterey jack for unique flavor profiles that suit personal taste preferences.
- Ensure even cooking by placing taquitos seam-side down and spacing them slightly apart on the baking sheet to allow hot air circulation.
- Create healthier versions by using whole wheat tortillas, adding extra vegetables like diced bell peppers, or using Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for reduced fat content.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg