Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos

Jamielyn Nye
Updated August 10, 2021

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• 7
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• 36 comments

• Cheese
• Chicken
• Cilantro

These baked chicken taquitos are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and full of fabulous flavor. An easy and delicious dinner recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights! 

If you’re a fan of Mexican food, you’re going to love these homemade taquitos. They’re similar to chicken enchiladas, but aren’t covered in sauce which allows the outside of the tortillas to get nice and crispy. They are so yummy!

I love all types of Mexican food, but taquitos have to be one of my favorites! They are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and have such great flavor. Plus they taste amazing loaded with ALL the toppings, like guacamole, pico de gallo, cilantro and sour cream.

We make these baked chicken taquitos quite often at my house and they are always a big hit! Everyone in the family loves them and gets so excited when it’s taquito night. They taste great served with beans or Mexican rice. So, so delicious!

How to make chicken taquitos

1. FILLING. Stir together cream cheese, salsa, cumin and garlic powder. Then add in cheese, cilantro and chicken and mix until combined.
2. ROLL. Heat the tortillas in the microwave (to enhance flexibility), then add about 3 Tablespoons of the chicken filling to the center of each tortilla. Fold one side of the tortilla over on top of the chicken mixture and tightly roll all the way through. Then place the rolled taquito seam side down on your baking sheet. Lightly brush with olive oil and add a sprinkle of salt for more flavor.
3. BAKE. Bake in the oven at 400°F for 13-15 minutes until lightly browned. Then add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Cooking tips + variations

• Preventing tortillas from breaking. Heat the tortillas in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds between damp paper towels. This helps them steam and keeps them flexible so that they don’t break from the weight of the chicken mixture when rolling. I’ve found flour tortillas crack less.
• Chicken. You can use a rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even easier. Or make shredded chicken in the instant pot or crockpot.
• Spice. For more heat, try adding a dash of your favorite hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne.
• Variation. For a fun variation, use leftover buffalo chicken dip to make taquitos. Simply use the dip to fill the tortillas and bake as directed.
• Frying the taquitos. You can also fry your taquitos as well (use corn tortillas if frying). Heat 3/4″ vegetable oil in a deep large skillet to 350°F. Add 4 taquitos (seams down) at a time and fry 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Place on a plate lined with paper towels.
• Make ahead. You can prepare the chicken filling a day or so in advance if preferred. Then simply roll up the taquitos when ready to bake.

Freezer instructions

Taquitos make a great freezer meal. You can freeze them baked or unbaked. Simply place seam side down on a freezer safe baking dish and cover tightly with a lid or plastic wrap/foil. Place in freezer (make sure they are leveled) for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, preheat oven and add frozen taquitos to a foil lined baking sheet. Spray with nonstick spray, then bake in oven until warmed throughout, about 15-20 minutes.

More Mexican dinner ideas:

• Green chile chicken enchiladas
• Crockpot ranch chicken tacos
• Beef enchiladas
• Mexican chicken casserole
• Ground beef tacos

Chicken Taquitos

5 from 7 votes

These baked chicken taquitos are crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside and full of fabulous flavor. An easy and delicious dinner recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights! 

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

Servings: 6

Print Rate Pin

Ingredients 

• 3-4 ounces cream cheese , softened
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup red or green salsa
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 cup shredded monterey or pepper jack cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken , I like to use rotisserie chicken
• 12 6-inch flour or corn tortillas

S&P, to taste; Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing

Optional toppings & sides: Mexican rice, beans, guacamole, sour cream

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
• Stir together the cream cheese, salsa, cumin and garlic powder. Then add the cheese, cilantro and chicken. 
• Place 3 Tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the center of a tortilla and roll up. Place seam of tortilla on pan. Lightly brush the tortillas with olive oil and sprinkle salt on top if desired. 
• Bake for 13-15 minutes, or until lightly browned. 

Video

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Notes

To prevent your tortillas from cracking, heat in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds between damp paper towels.  

If you prefer to fry your taquitos (use corn tortillas): Heat 3/4" vegetable oil in a deep large skillet to 350°F. Add 4 taquitos (seams down) at a time and fry 2 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Place on a plate lined with paper towels. 

Nutrition

Serving: 2taquitos | Calories: 357kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 440mg | Potassium: 341mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 540IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 1.3mg

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: Mexican

Author: Jamielyn Nye

Enjoy!