Description
These oven baked chicken taquitos are a quick, easy, and healthier twist on classic taquitos, featuring a creamy chicken and cheese filling rolled in tortillas and baked until crispy. Perfect for busy weeknights, parties, or meal prep, this recipe uses just five simple ingredients and delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 10 oz)
- 10 small flour tortillas (6-inch)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
- 1/2 cup salsa
- Olive oil or nonstick cooking spray (for brushing, optional)
- Optional: chopped green onions
- Optional: chopped cilantro
- Optional: diced jalapeños
- Optional: 1/2 tsp each garlic powder, cumin, chili powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, and salsa. Mix until creamy and fully combined (about 2-3 minutes).
- Stack tortillas and wrap in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 20-30 seconds until warm and pliable.
- Spoon about 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture onto the lower third of each tortilla. Roll tightly into a cigar shape, seam side down.
- Place rolled taquitos seam side down on the prepared baking sheet, spaced slightly apart.
- Lightly brush the tops with olive oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray (optional for extra crunch).
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until tortillas are golden brown and crispy. For deeper color, bake 2-3 minutes longer, checking for burning.
- Let taquitos cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Serve hot with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for dipping.
Notes
Warm tortillas before rolling to prevent cracking. Don’t overfill to keep taquitos sealed. For gluten-free, use gluten-free tortillas and warm well before rolling. Dairy-free options work with plant-based cream cheese and cheese. Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes for extra crispiness. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taquito
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 21
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 11
Keywords: chicken taquitos, oven baked taquitos, easy dinner, family meal, Mexican recipe, healthy taquitos, meal prep, kid friendly, party appetizer