Description
Crunchy Oven-Baked Chicken Taquitos combine shredded rotisserie chicken, creamy cheese, and zesty spices wrapped in soft flour tortillas baked to a golden, crispy perfection. This easy Mexican-inspired recipe is perfect for family dinners, snacks, or gatherings, served alongside guacamole, sour cream, or salsa for a flavorful and satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling Ingredients
- 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
Other Ingredients
- 10–12 small flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or olive oil (for coating)
- Optional toppings: guacamole, sour cream, additional salsa, diced tomatoes, or 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 ensure the taquitos do not stick and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice, and chopped cilantro if using. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly incorporated into a creamy filling. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Taquitos: Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make them pliable and easy to roll. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling onto the center of each tortilla, ensuring not to overfill. Roll each tortilla tightly from one end, tucking in the sides as you roll to secure the filling. Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Coat with Oil: Lightly spray or brush the tops of the rolled taquitos with cooking spray or olive oil. This step ensures a crispy and golden exterior once baked.
- Bake the Taquitos: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the taquitos are crispy and golden brown. Flip the taquitos halfway through the baking time to ensure even crispiness on all sides.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the taquitos from the oven and allow them to cool slightly. Serve warm with your favorite toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, extra salsa, or diced tomatoes for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add richer flavor.
- Warming tortillas before rolling helps prevent cracking and makes rolling easier.
- Lightly oiling or spraying the taquitos before baking is key to achieving a crispy exterior without frying.
- You can substitute corn tortillas if preferred, but warm them thoroughly to avoid breakage.
- Feel free to add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
- Taquitos can be frozen before baking; freeze on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a sealed bag and bake from frozen, adding extra baking time as needed.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with black beans or vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack, Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Chicken taquitos, oven-baked taquitos, Mexican appetizer, crispy taquitos, shredded chicken taquitos, easy Mexican recipe
