Crispy Homemade Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe for Taco Night

Crispy, golden baked chicken taquitos promise a mouthwatering adventure for anyone seeking a delightful twist on traditional Mexican fare.

Rolling tender, seasoned chicken into warm tortillas that crackle with each satisfying bite.

These little flavor bombs bring excitement to your dinner table without complicated preparation.

Packed with zesty spices and simple ingredients, they’re perfect for casual gatherings or quick weeknight meals.

Each taquito delivers a harmonious blend of textures that dance between crunchy exterior and succulent interior.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor, making this recipe a smart choice for home cooks wanting something special.

Grab some napkins and get ready to impress everyone at the table with these irresistible little rolls of deliciousness.

How To Make Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C). This high heat will give your taquitos that perfect golden crunch.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Surface

Grab a baking sheet and either line it with parchment paper or give it a quick spray of cooking oil. This prevents any sticky situations and helps create an even crisp.

Step 3: Craft the Chicken Filling

• Shredded cooked chicken
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Diced green onions
• Taco seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Toss all these ingredients into a mixing bowl and stir until everything is beautifully combined. The mixture should be creamy and packed with flavor.

Step 4: Roll the Taquitos

Take your tortillas and warm them slightly to make them more flexible. Spoon a generous line of the chicken mixture near one edge of each tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, creating a neat cylinder.

Step 5: Secure and Arrange

Place each rolled taquito seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Space them out so they’re not touching, allowing hot air to circulate and create that irresistible crispiness.

Step 6: Add the Golden Touch

Lightly brush the tops of the taquitos with olive oil or give them a quick spray. This helps them turn a beautiful golden brown and adds an extra layer of flavor.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes. Watch for the edges to turn a gorgeous crispy golden color and the tortillas to become wonderfully crunchy.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the taquitos from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve with your favorite salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping. These taquitos are perfect for a quick snack, appetizer, or casual meal that’ll make everyone at the table happy!

Tips To Nail Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe

• Crisp Up Perfectly: Spray taquitos lightly with cooking spray to achieve a golden, crunchy exterior without excess oil.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Let baked taquitos rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to maintain their crisp texture and prevent falling apart.
• Customize Your Filling: Swap chicken with shredded beef, pulled pork, or black beans for vegetarian options that keep the same delicious flavor profile.
• Freeze for Later: Prepare an extra batch and freeze uncooked taquitos between layers of parchment paper for quick future meals that bake directly from frozen.
• Enhance Flavor Boost: Mix a pinch of cumin or chili powder into the chicken filling to elevate the taste and add a subtle southwestern kick.

Best Way To Store Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Wrap individual taquitos in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen taquitos maintain quality for 2-3 months.
• Reheat Oven: Warm refrigerated or thawed taquitos at 350F for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they're crispy and heated through. Spread on a baking sheet for even heating.
• Reheat Air Fryer: Cook refrigerated taquitos at 350F for 3-4 minutes, rotating halfway through for consistent crunchiness and perfect temperature.

Pairing Ideas For Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe

• Complement with Cool Salsa Verde: Whip up a zesty, fresh salsa verde to cut through the richness of the crispy chicken taquitos. The tangy green sauce adds brightness and balances the baked tortilla's savory crunch.
• Pair with Chilled Mexican Cerveza: Grab a light, crisp Mexican beer like Modelo Especial or Corona Extra. Its refreshing qualities perfectly offset the warm, golden-brown taquitos and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Create a Creamy Avocado Dip: Blend ripe avocados with sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of salt for a smooth, cooling accompaniment. This dip provides a velvety contrast to the crispy exterior of the taquitos.
• Match with Sparkling Margarita: Mix a classic margarita with fresh lime juice and tequila. The citrusy, slightly salty cocktail enhances the taquitos' flavor profile and adds a festive touch to the meal.

Fun Twists On Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe

• Spicy Southwest Style: Add diced jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a zesty kick that brings bold southwestern flavors to your taquitos.
• Vegetarian Bean Blend: Replace chicken with black beans, roasted corn, and diced bell peppers to create a protein-packed plant-based version that's equally satisfying and colorful.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, chopped spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired filling that transforms the traditional taquito recipe with vibrant Mediterranean ingredients.
• Creamy Chipotle Option: Mix shredded chicken with cream cheese, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and cilantro to develop a rich, smoky variation that adds depth and complexity to the classic taquito.

Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe FAQs

• What makes these taquitos different from traditional fried versions?

These taquitos are baked, which makes them healthier and easier to prepare. They’re crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside without the extra oil from deep frying.

• Can I use corn or flour tortillas for this recipe?

Corn tortillas are recommended because they crisp up better and provide an authentic Mexican flavor. Flour tortillas can work but might not get as crunchy.

• Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! You can prepare the taquitos ahead of time, freeze them uncooked, and then bake them directly from frozen when you’re ready to eat. They’re perfect for quick meals or snacks.

• How can I ensure my taquitos don't fall apart while rolling?

Make sure to warm the tortillas slightly before filling and rolling. This makes them more pliable and less likely to crack. Also, don’t overfill the tortillas, and roll them tightly.

Why Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe Is A Crunchy Favorite

• Quick Family Dinner Solution: These baked chicken taquitos deliver a crowd-pleasing meal that comes together effortlessly, perfect for busy weeknights when time is short.
• Healthier Comfort Food Twist: Unlike traditional deep-fried taquitos, this baked version offers a lighter alternative that cuts down on excess oil while maintaining that crispy, satisfying crunch everyone loves.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Simple enough for picky kids yet delicious enough for adults, these taquitos work brilliantly as a main course, game day snack, or party appetizer that keeps everyone happy and well-fed.
• Super Easy Customization: Swap chicken for beef, add different cheeses, or include extra spices to make this recipe your own personal flavor adventure that suits every taste preference in the family.

All You Need For Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe

• Chicken: Tender, shredded protein that serves as the heart of the taquito filling, best when using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for convenience.

• Cream Cheese: Creamy base that adds richness and helps bind the filling together, softened at room temperature for easy mixing.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp flavor that melts beautifully and adds depth to the chicken mixture, freshly shredded recommended.
• Green Chiles: Mild, tangy pepper that brings a subtle southwestern kick to the filling, canned variety works well.

• Corn Tortillas: Traditional wrapper that provides authentic texture and flavor, corn tortillas work best when slightly warmed to prevent cracking.
• Chili Powder: Warm, smoky seasoning that enhances the chicken's flavor profile, look for high-quality ground chili powder.
• Cumin: Earthy spice that adds depth and complexity to the taquito filling, ground cumin preferred.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that balances all other ingredients, kosher or sea salt recommended.

• Olive Oil: Light coating that helps tortillas crisp up and achieve golden-brown color, use sparingly for best results.

Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crispy “Mexican Chicken Taquitos” deliver a delightful crunch with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Packed with zesty seasoned chicken and melted cheese, these golden rolls promise a quick, satisfying meal that brings restaurant-style excitement right to your dinner table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein and Cheese:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Spices and Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) onion powder
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
• ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 ml) salsa or enchilada sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) cream cheese or sour cream
• 12 small corn or flour tortillas
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil (for brushing or spraying)
• Salsa (for serving)
• Guacamole (for serving)
• Sour cream (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 400F (200C), ensuring an ideal environment for crispy taquitos.
2. Prepare a baking sheet by laying down parchment paper or applying a light coating of oil to prevent sticking.
3. Shred the cooked chicken into fine, uniform pieces, creating a perfect filling texture.
4. Mix the shredded chicken with cream cheese, ensuring a smooth and creamy consistency that binds the filling together.
5. Fold in the shredded cheese, green onions, and jalapeños, distributing the ingredients evenly for balanced flavor in each bite.
6. Season the mixture with cumin, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, stirring thoroughly to incorporate the spices.
7. Warm the tortillas briefly to make them pliable and prevent cracking during rolling.
8. Place a modest portion of the chicken mixture near the edge of each tortilla, avoiding overfilling.
9. Roll the tortillas tightly, creating compact cylinders that will hold their shape during baking.
10. Arrange the taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch.
11. Lightly brush the exterior of each taquito with olive oil to promote a golden, crispy exterior.
12. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake until the edges turn golden brown and crisp.
13. Remove from the oven and let the taquitos rest for a few minutes to set their shape.
14. Serve immediately with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.

Notes

• Warm tortillas briefly to prevent cracking when rolling, making them more pliable and easier to work with.
• Use shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving hack that adds extra flavor complexity to the filling.
• Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or sharp cheddar to customize the taquitos’ taste profile.
• Freeze unbaked taquitos in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag for convenient meal prep options.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg