Description
These crispy homemade taquitos are filled with seasoned shredded chicken and cheese, then baked or fried until golden and crunchy. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or family dinner, they pair wonderfully with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for a delicious Mexican-inspired treat.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Taquitos
- 10 small corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for baking) or oil for frying
For Serving
- Salsa
- Sour cream
- Guacamole
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, shredded cheese, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Warm the tortillas: Heat the corn tortillas until they are soft and pliable to prevent cracking when rolled. This can be done by warming them in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in a damp cloth.
- Assemble the taquitos: Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken and cheese filling onto the lower third of each warm tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling and arrange each taquito seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Cook the taquitos: For baked taquitos, lightly brush the rolled tortillas with vegetable oil to promote crispiness and bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Alternatively, fry the taquitos in hot oil until they are crisp and golden on all sides.
- Serve: Remove the taquitos from the oven or fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Accompany with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for dipping.
Notes
- Ground beef or black beans make excellent substitutes for chicken for a different flavor or vegetarian option.
- For a lighter alternative, air fry the taquitos at 400°F (200°C) for 8 to 10 minutes until crispy.
- Leftover taquitos can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
