Welcome to the delightful world of chicken taquitos! These crispy, golden bundles of joy are where comfort food meets delicious satisfaction. Stuffed with tender shredded chicken and three varieties of cheese, they make for an irresistible treat that everyone will love.

What’s even better? You can easily achieve restaurant-quality flavor from the comfort of your own kitchen!

Fry them for that traditional, authentic Mexican vibe, or opt for baking or air frying for a lighter alternative. No matter how you cook them, they are guaranteed to disappear fast!

Why You’ll Love These Chicken Taquitos

Crispy, Cheesy Delights: The perfect contrast of crispy tortillas and rich, cheesy filling makes every bite a delightful experience. Even picky eaters can’t resist!

Time-Saver: These taquitos are a real lifesaver for meal prep. Make them ahead of time, freeze them, and they can stay fresh for up to three months. When you’re ready, just cook them up in your preferred appliance!

Customizable: Whether you prefer frying, baking, or air-frying, this recipe easily adapts to your kitchen setup without losing any crispiness or flavor.

Ingredients

• Cooked, Shredded Chicken: A rotisserie chicken is your best friend here, but feel free to prepare your chicken if you prefer.
• Cheeses: A blend of tangy cheddar, creamy Monterey Jack, and rich cream cheese ensures a delicious texture and flavor.
• Salsa or Enchilada Sauce: Adds a zesty kick and moisture for a perfect balance.
• Seasonings: Garlic and onion powders add depth, while chili powder and cumin bring warmth and authenticity to the taquitos. Don’t forget salt and pepper to taste!
• Chopped Fresh Cilantro: Optional, but it adds a bright, fresh element to the mixture.
• Small Corn Tortillas: Soft enough to roll yet firm enough to fry – the perfect vehicle for your filling.
• Toppings: Get creative! Sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or extra cilantro all make great additions.

How to Make Chicken Taquitos

These delicious taquitos come together easily in just five simple steps!

1. Make the Filling

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cheeses, salsa, and seasonings until well mixed. Add cilantro if you desire.

2. Heat the Tortillas

   To make them pliable, wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds.

3. Assemble

   Lay about 2 tablespoons of the filling on the bottom third of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly to enclose the filling, securing it with a toothpick if necessary.

4. Cook

   Choose your cooking method—frying, baking, or air frying. Detailed instructions can be found below.

5. Serve

   Plate the crispy taquitos with your chosen toppings and enjoy!

Tips for the Best Chicken Taquitos

Follow these handy tips to ensure your taquitos turn out perfectly every single time:

• The finer, the better: Use a stand mixer or two forks to shred your chicken finely for an even filling consistency.
• Keep things even: Mix all ingredients thoroughly for a uniform filling. A hand mixer can be helpful here!
• Don’t overfill! Stick to about 2 tablespoons of filling per tortilla to prevent them from splitting during cooking.
• Work in batches: If frying, don’t overcrowd the pan or air fryer basket. Cook just a few at a time for optimal crispiness.
• Flip only once! When baking or air frying, flip the taquitos halfway through cooking for even crispness.
• Ditch the excess oil: After frying, place taquitos on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
• Have fun and experiment: Pair your taquitos with different salsas, queso, or a zesty lime crema. Feel free to add ingredients like black beans or corn to your filling!

How to Store

Leftover taquitos? No worries! Here’s how to store them:

To Store: Allow them to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Refrigerated, they’re good for up to 4 days.

To Freeze: Lay uncooked taquitos on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 30-60 minutes. Then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag, and freeze for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: For refrigerated taquitos, place them directly on the oven rack at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or air fry for 7-8 minutes at 375 degrees. You can also cook frozen taquitos using your preferred method, just remember to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.