Name: Crunchy Oven-Baked Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Mexican
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; 10-12 small flour tortillas; Cooking spray or olive oil for coating; Guacamole; Sour cream; Additional salsa; Diced tomatoes; Sliced jalapeños

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Introduction

These crunchy oven-baked chicken taquitos are a delicious and easy meal perfect for any occasion. Filled with a creamy chicken mixture and baked to golden perfection, they offer a satisfying crunch without the need for frying. Serve them with your favorite toppings for a tasty, crowd-pleasing dish.

The image shows six long, golden-brown rolled tacos tightly packed in two neat rows on a round wooden board. Each taco is crisp with a slightly charred texture and sprinkled with small green herb leaves on top. The tacos are filled with shredded chicken visible at their open ends. On the lower left of the board, two small brown bowls contain creamy green guacamole, one topped with small red onion, cilantro, and diced chili pieces, while the other is garnished with a dollop of white cream and finely chopped colorful vegetables. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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)
10-12 small flour tortillas
Cooking spray or olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: guacamole, sour cream, additional salsa, diced tomatoes, or sliced jalapeños

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
Step 2: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice, and chopped cilantro if using. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed and creamy. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 3: Warm the flour tortillas in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to make them pliable. Place about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Roll them tightly, starting from one end. Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4: Lightly spray or brush the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray or olive oil. This helps them get crispy during baking.
Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through baking for even crispiness.
Step 6: Remove the taquitos from the oven, let them cool for a minute, and serve with your favorite toppings such as guacamole, sour cream, or extra salsa.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, brush the taquitos with a little olive oil in addition to spraying them.
Swap flour tortillas for corn tortillas if you prefer a gluten-free option—just be careful when rolling as they are more fragile.
Add finely chopped jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling for an added spicy kick.
Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time and add rich flavor.

Storage

Store leftover chicken taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if possible to maintain their crunch.

How to Serve

Four grilled rolled tortillas filled with shredded chicken and melted cheese are lined up on a wooden tray. The tortillas have a golden-yellow color with dark brown char marks and are sprinkled with fresh green chopped cilantro. Each roll shows the creamy, orange cheese and white chicken filling peeking out from the open end. Two small white bowls filled with green guacamole garnished with small bits of red tomato sit behind the rolls. The scene rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze the taquitos before baking?

Yes, you can assemble the taquitos and freeze them on a baking sheet first. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?

If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a slightly different texture and tangy flavor, though it may affect the creaminess of the filling.