Crunchy Oven-Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Crunchy Oven-Baked Chicken Taquitos are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired dish featuring shredded rotisserie chicken mixed with creamy cheeses and zesty spices, rolled into small flour tortillas and baked to golden, crispy perfection. Perfect as appetizers, snacks, or a satisfying main course, these taquitos offer a crispy exterior and flavorful filling, ideal for pairing with guacamole, salsa, or sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup salsa (choose your preferred heat level)
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tortillas and Cooking
- 10–12 small flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or olive oil for brushing
Optional Toppings
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Additional salsa
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice, and chopped cilantro if using. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to make them pliable. Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Roll them tightly, starting from one end, securing the filling inside. Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet to prevent unrolling during baking.
- Coat with Oil: Lightly spray or brush the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray or olive oil. This coating promotes browning and crispiness when baked.
- Bake the Taquitos: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through baking for even crispiness on all sides.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the taquitos from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Serve warm with your favorite toppings like guacamole, sour cream, extra salsa, diced tomatoes, or jalapeños for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- For softer and more pliable tortillas, warm them briefly before rolling to prevent cracking.
- You can substitute corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, though warming is key to flexibility.
- Optional ingredients like diced jalapeños or black beans can be added to the filling for extra flavor and texture.
- Taquitos can be assembled in advance and frozen before baking; bake directly from frozen adding 5-7 extra minutes to cooking time.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and whole wheat tortillas to make a lighter version.
- If you prefer a spicier filling, add hot sauce or more spicy salsa to the mixture.
- Ensure taquitos are spaced apart on the baking sheet for even heat circulation and crispiness.
Keywords: chicken taquitos, oven-baked taquitos, Mexican appetizer, crispy taquitos, easy taquitos recipe, baked chicken recipe, snack, party food
