Description
These Crispy Chicken Taquitos are a deliciously crunchy appetizer or snack featuring tender shredded chicken mixed with creamy cheeses and spices, all wrapped in flour tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Perfect for party platters or casual meals, they’re easy to make and satisfying with customizable toppings like salsa and guacamole.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Taquitos
- 10 small flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil for frying (about 1 inch depth in skillet)
Optional Toppings
- Salsa
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. Mix until everything is well combined to create a creamy, flavorful mixture.
- Season the mixture: Add garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the filling and stir thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the spices throughout.
- Fill tortillas: Lay one tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the seasoned chicken mixture onto the lower third of the tortilla, ready to be rolled.
- Roll taquitos: Tightly roll the tortilla around the filling starting from the filled end, securing the mixture inside. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Heat oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet to about 1 inch depth and heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking, preparing for frying.
- Fry taquitos: Carefully place a few taquitos seam-side down into the hot oil. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, turning gently to cook evenly without breaking.
- Drain excess oil: Using tongs, remove the taquitos from the skillet and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil, keeping them crisp and less greasy.
- Serve and garnish: Serve the taquitos warm with optional toppings such as salsa, guacamole, extra sour cream, and chopped cilantro to add freshness and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can double-fry the taquitos by frying once, letting them rest briefly, then frying again for a minute.
- If you prefer a lighter version, bake the taquitos at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes instead of frying.
- Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option but warm them first to prevent cracking when rolling.
- Customize the filling by adding jalapeños for heat or black beans for extra protein and fiber.
- Be cautious when frying to avoid overcrowding the skillet, which can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy taquitos.
