Chicken Taquitos Recipe
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Looking for a healthier taquito recipe? These oven-baked chicken taquitos are packed with yummy flavor, made with clean ingredients, and amazing for meal prep. With ingredients you can find in your pantry plus some shredded chicken and your favorite tortillas, you’ll have a stocked freezer with kid-friendly food that you can have cooked and on the table in no time. You can even cook them in an air fryer to make your meal even faster. No deep frying needed.
Love these types of recipes? Don’t miss my Fish Tacos, my Breakfast Taquitos, or
my BBQ Burritos
I remember going to Costco as a teen with my mom and immediately finding the big, orange box of chicken taquitos. That nostalgic flavor was one I never got tired of. But now, I make them myself. I can make them at home without any chemicals or preservatives, and I love knowing there is always a healthier option available for my son with he gets hungry.
What Makes These “Clean”
Store-bought versions have soy, sugar, dextrose, maltodextrin, and any other number of undesirable ingredients added. This homemade version is made with ingredients you can pronounce and recognize. They are so much healthier and taste every bit as good. Chicken, herbs, and more make up this delicious alternative.
Pro Recipe Tip
Warm the tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel in a microwave for about 1-2 minutes until they become warm and pliable. They will be much easier to roll this way.
What To Serve With Chicken Taquitos
Sides for taquitos are more about what you dip them in than anything you actually serve as a side. Try guacamole, sour cream, plain yogurt, or your favorite salsa. But if you really want a true side dish to round out your meal, try:
- Green salad
- Refried beans
- Rice
- Fresh fruit salad
FAQs
Can I Freeze Before Baking?
You sure can! Just be careful to wrap them really well so they don’t dry out in the freezer.
Can I Air Fry These?
You sure can!
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the taquitos with an oil sprayer. Use just enough to help them crisp without getting greasy.
Arrange them in a single layer in the basket, seam side down. Don’t overcrowd. Leave space between each taquito so air can circulate properly.
Air fry for 7–9 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Time may vary slightly depending on your model and the thickness of the taquitos. Cool slightly before serving. The fillings will be hot.
What Else Can I Use Instead Of Nutritional Yeast?
I used nutritional yeast to replace cheese. But if you don’t mind dairy, you can certainly use as much shredded cheese as you like.
What You Need To Make Chicken Taquitos
- Plain cream cheese
- Plain sour cream
- Salt
- Ground black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Ground cumin
- Onion powder
- Salsa
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cooked and shredded chicken
- Corn tortillas
- Oil
How To Make Chicken Taquitos
Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Gather all your ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
Add sour cream, salsa, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
Stir in the shredded chicken and cheddar cheese until evenly combined.
Warm the corn tortillas in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds to make them pliable. Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of each tortilla and roll tightly.
Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Lightly brush the tops with oil.
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces or toppings.
Storage
Store cooked leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Freezing
These are best frozen before baking. Pack them well and freeze for up to four months.
Reheating
Reheat in a microwave or in a low oven until warmed through.
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Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 oz. cream cheese (softened)
- 3 tbsp. sour cream
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic granules (or garlic powder)
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- ¼ cup salsa (no sugar added)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 12 standard corn tortillas
- 2 tbsp. oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sour cream, salsa, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, and onion powder. Mix until well combined.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and cheddar cheese until evenly combined.
- Warm the corn tortillas in the microwave for about 20 to 30 seconds to make them pliable. Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of each tortilla and roll tightly.
- Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly brush the tops with oil.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces or toppings.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe from the Gracious Pantry® archives, originally posted on 6/12/11.
YUM! I may just have to make these this week!
But I have to ask because I’ve never heard of it — what is Nutritional Yeast and is it necessary? What does it do?
My mom used to make us drink blueberry shakes laced with Brewers Yeast, and the thought still makes me cringe. So please tell me it’s not like that! 🙂
Mimi – Brewers yeast and nutritional yeast are different. I’ve had both. Nutritional yeast gives a “cheese” flavor to things without actually adding cheese and it’s rich in vitamin B’s which is why many vegans like it so much. I added it because I wanted the flavor without the added fat.
I can’t wait!! I don’t have a food processor yet, would a blender work?
Amy – You might have to work at blending it a bit more, but yes, it should work. Enjoy!
Quick question, would this work with whole wheat tortilla instead of corn?
Julie – It might, but you would have to get the tortillas really pliable. Get them wet/damp and work with them quickly. Let me know how they turn out!
It sounds like the things in this recipe might easily work in making a pan of chicken enchiladas too! (hint, hint)
Pam – They would! But I already have an enchilada recipe here! https://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-enchiladas/
Oooooo, baby… I know what I’m making for dinner… Instead of chicken, I’m thinking of using some reconstituted TVP or crumbled tempeh; heat it up in the skillet with the spices.
Do you pack the taquitos together in the baking pan, or give them room to get extra crispy (or, does that just dry them out)?
Charlena – I didn’t experiment much. I just packed them all in there.
BTW, nutritional yeast is great on freshly air-popped popcorn or a baked potato with broccoli. Its flavor is a cross between salty parmesan and white cheddar.
Charlena – Yummy! Thanks!
Where in the grocery store can you find nutritional yeast?
I just made these for dinner. They were delicious and very easy. Thank you!
Vicki – Fabulous!! I’m so happy you enjoyed them!
Ashley–I found my nutritional yeast (Braggs brand) in the “natural foods” section of Kroger. Whole Foods definitely has it, though good luck navigating which aisle it’ll be on. It’s unrefridgerated on the shelf, but should be in the fridge once you open it. If those stores aren’t near you (at least, not within a day-trip away), I suggest you try Amazon.com, or even MySimon.com.
Charlena – Thanks for that!
Tiffany, if you can do this with taquitos, I’m pretty confident you’ll be able to come up with a clean (at least, cleaner) version of crab rangoons–those lovely, fatty deep-fried wontons filled with seasoned cream cheese and flaked crab meat! My local Chinese restaurant of choice even makes a vegetarian version, substituting finely chopped red cabbage for the crab meat. Still full-fat cream cheese, though. 🙁
I love all that you do here. Keep fighting the good fight for healthful, clean eating! 🙂
I just made these and shared them with my neighbors who are moving and can’t make dinner, and we’re all in love with them!! One of the ladie’s daughters is a picky eater and gobbled them up! You just may have a couple more blog viewers 😉 And I’m so happy to learn about nutritional yeast because my daughter doesn’t do milk well. Thanks a bunch!
Becky – Fantastic!! I’m so happy everyone enjoyed them! 🙂
These looked so good I had to make them last night. However, I had already defrosted pork for stir fry so I used that instead of chicken and I marinated it in a little lime juice and chili powder while I got everything ready. These were so yummy that my husband didn’t even ask “so what weird thing did you put in THESE” (which is a very common question in my house these days). These will FOR SURE replace the boxed taquitos hiding in the garage fridge!!
Gonna really make these. gonna really love these.
Nicki – I hope so!
I looked at the whole wheat tortillas at the store and there were things I couldn’t pronounce. Are you using homemade tortillas?
Sarah – I used corn tortillas for these. But you can certainly make your own as well!
What type of clean corn tortillas are out there?
Amy – It depends on where you shop. I either make mine or I buy them at Trader Joe’s. They are not easy to find, but they are out there. The ingredient list will typically be very short. Something like, “corn, water and lime”, or something like that. If you don’t have a trader joe’s near you, I’m afraid the only thing I can tell you is to read labels. Wish I could be more help!
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Lindsay – I love them because they freeze well. Makes it easy to grab and go!
I made these tonight, and they were awesome. I was worried about putting the chicken in the food processor, but it made it moist and incorporated all the flavors beautifully. Thanks for your website.
Jenni – You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed them! And that reminds me, I need to go make another batch!
Tasha – I would spray them with a little olive oil and then pack some plastic wrap around them tightly. Not over the dish, but pack it around the taquitos themselves. That should keep them fresh and ready to go. Glad you’re enjoying them!
My sons are constantly going on about those disgusting Costco toquitoes of which you speak, but I refuse to buy them. I would love to try making this recipe! Are the corn tortillas usually in the refrigerator section?
Marlena – I get mine at Trader Joe’s and they are in the bread section. Hope your sons enjoy them!