Description
Crispy Chicken Taquitos are a quick and flavorful Mexican-inspired snack or appetizer featuring tender shredded chicken and melted cheese wrapped in crunchy toasted tortillas. Ready in under 30 minutes, these handheld delights deliver a satisfying golden crunch without deep frying and are perfect for busy nights, parties, or casual meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Filling
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, a pinch
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
Tortillas & Cooking
- 10 small corn or flour tortillas
- 1–2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Filling: Start by shredding your cooked chicken and tossing it with the cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and shredded cheese. Ensure the mixture is flavorful yet not too wet to keep it inside the tortillas when rolled.
- Warm the Tortillas: Soften the tortillas by warming them in the microwave or on a skillet for about 20-30 seconds until pliable, making them easier to roll without cracking.
- Roll the Taquitos: Place a spoonful of the chicken filling onto each tortilla, then roll it tightly to secure the filling during cooking.
- Add Oil and Cook: Lightly brush or spray the rolled taquitos with oil on all sides. Arrange them spaced apart on a baking sheet or wire rack. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes or until golden and crisp. Alternatively, pan-fry in a skillet with a little oil until crispy and golden on all sides.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the crispy taquitos immediately with your favorite dips like salsa, guacamole, or sour cream, garnished with chopped cilantro or sliced avocado for extra freshness.
Notes
- Don’t overfill the tortillas to ensure tight rolls and even crispiness.
- A light coating of oil is essential for that perfect crunchy texture without sogginess.
- Arrange taquitos spaced apart to cook evenly and achieve uniform crispiness.
- Let taquitos rest slightly after cooking to set their shape and avoid burns.
- Use a wire rack when baking to allow air circulation around each taquito for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 taquitos
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: crispy chicken taquitos, Mexican appetizer, baked taquitos, shredded chicken recipe, quick snack
