Baked Chicken Taquitos

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy and golden on the outside, warm and cheesy on the inside

• Quick and easy to make in just 30 minutes

• No frying required for a healthier option

• Perfect for a family dinner, snack, or party appetizer

• Customizable with your favorite toppings or heat level

• Great use for leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken

• Easy to make ahead and freeze for later

• Kid-friendly and loved by adults alike

• Pairs wonderfully with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream

• Versatile—use corn or flour tortillas based on your preference

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover)

• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

• ½ teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon chili powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

• ¼ cup salsa or enchilada sauce

• 2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream

• 12 small corn or flour tortillas

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing or spraying)

For Serving:

• Salsa

• Guacamole

• Sour cream

Directions

1. Preheat & Prep:
   Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Make the Chicken Filling:
   In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the salsa and cream cheese (or sour cream) until well combined.

3. Assemble the Taquitos:
   Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to make them pliable. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto each tortilla and roll tightly. Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

4. Bake Until Crispy:
   Brush or spray the taquitos with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

5. Serve & Enjoy:
   Serve the taquitos hot with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream on the side.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 12 taquitos (6 servings).
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15-20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Variations

• Extra Crunch: Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end to get them even crispier.

• Spicy: Add diced jalapeños or a few dashes of hot sauce to the chicken filling for an extra kick.

• Cheesy Twist: Sprinkle extra cheese on top of the taquitos before baking for an even cheesier finish.

• Healthier Option: Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for a lighter version.

• Air Fryer Method: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for crispy taquitos.

Storage/Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Freezer: Freeze unbaked taquitos on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes.

• Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought chicken for the filling?

Yes, rotisserie chicken is perfect for this recipe, or you can use any leftover cooked chicken.

Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?

Yes, flour tortillas work just as well as corn tortillas for a softer texture.

How do I keep the taquitos crispy?

Make sure to bake them long enough to get them golden brown and crispy. Brushing with olive oil helps achieve a crispy finish.

How can I make these spicier?

Add chopped jalapeños to the chicken mixture or drizzle with hot sauce before serving.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the taquitos, cover them, and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking.

What can I serve with these taquitos?

These are perfect with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or even a simple salad on the side.

Can I use different cheeses for the filling?

Definitely! Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a Mexican cheese blend all work well for this recipe.

How can I make these taquitos in the air fryer?

To air fry, cook at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.

How many taquitos does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 12 taquitos, which serves 6 people (2 taquitos each).

Can I freeze these taquitos?

Yes, these taquitos freeze well before or after baking. Just follow the storage instructions above for freezing.

Conclusion

Baked Chicken Taquitos are the perfect combination of crispy, cheesy, and savory, all wrapped up in a convenient bite-sized package. Whether you’re serving them for a quick dinner, a party appetizer, or a fun snack, they’re sure to become a crowd favorite. With endless possibilities for customization, these taquitos are as versatile as they are delicious. Try them today and enjoy a tasty, no-fuss meal!

Baked Chicken Taquitos

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• Author: Amy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 taquitos (6 servings)
• Category: Appetizer, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired

Print Recipe

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Description

Baked Chicken Taquitos are a healthier, crispy alternative to fried taquitos. Filled with seasoned shredded chicken, melted cheese, and spices, these bite-sized snacks are perfect for parties, Taco Tuesday, or a quick dinner. Serve them with your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, or sour cream for an irresistible treat.

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Ingredients

2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover)

1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon ground cumin

½ teaspoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ cup salsa or enchilada sauce

2 tablespoons cream cheese or sour cream

12 small corn or flour tortillas

2 tablespoons olive oil (for brushing or spraying)

For Serving:

Salsa

Guacamole

Sour cream

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Instructions

Preheat & Prep:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Make the Chicken Filling:

1. In a bowl, mix the shredded chicken, cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the salsa and cream cheese (or sour cream) until well combined.

Assemble the Taquitos:

1. Warm the tortillas in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to make them pliable. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto each tortilla and roll tightly. Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Bake Until Crispy:

1. Brush or spray the taquitos with olive oil. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Serve & Enjoy:

1. Serve the taquitos hot with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream on the side.

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Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for best results.

Freezer: Freeze unbaked taquitos on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes.

Make Ahead: Assemble the taquitos and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking.