Crispy 5-Ingredient Chicken Taquitos Recipe for Busy Nights

Crispy and golden, these 5-ingredient chicken taquitos deliver a burst of flavor that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Packed with tender, seasoned chicken and wrapped in perfectly crisped tortillas, this recipe simplifies Mexican-inspired comfort food.

You can whip up these delectable rolls in no time, making them ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.

The combination of simple ingredients creates a mouthwatering dish that feels like a restaurant-quality treat.

Each bite offers a satisfying crunch and rich, savory filling that will leave you wanting more.

With just five ingredients standing between you and a delicious meal, these chicken taquitos are about to become your new go-to recipe.

Dive into this easy, crowd-pleasing dish and experience the magic of simple, irresistible cooking.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 9 minutes

Total Time: 19 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Quick 5-Ingredient Chicken Taquitos

• Chicken: Tender, shredded protein that creates the heart of the taquitos, best when using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken for maximum convenience.

• Taco Seasoning: Zesty blend that infuses the chicken with bold Mexican-inspired spices and depth of flavor.
• Green Chilis: Adds a subtle heat and tangy kick, bringing brightness to the filling.
• Cream Cheese: Creamy binding agent that provides rich smoothness and helps hold the filling together.

• Tortillas: Soft flour tortillas that transform into crispy vessels, ideal when selecting fresh, pliable ones that roll easily.

Simple Tools for Chicken Taquito Assembly

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining chicken and filling ingredients.
• Baking sheet or air fryer basket: Used for cooking taquitos until crispy.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately measure taco seasoning.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring and mixing chicken mixture.
• Sharp knife: Helps drain and prepare chicken if needed.
• Oven or air fryer: Cooking appliance for achieving crispy taquitos.

How to Cook 5-Ingredient Chicken Taquitos

• Chicken Mixture

Shred cooked chicken in a spacious bowl. Blend cream cheese, zesty taco seasoning, and green chilis into the chicken until everything melds together smoothly.

• Tortilla Rolling

Take each soft tortilla and spoon a generous portion of the chicken filling along one edge. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly, creating a compact cylinder shape.

• Cooking Preparation

Position the rolled taquitos seam-side down in an air fryer basket or on a baking sheet, ensuring they’re not touching each other.

• Crispy Transformation

Heat the oven or air fryer to 400°F. Cook the taquitos for 6-9 minutes until the exterior turns golden and crisp, with the center becoming piping hot.

• Serving

Transfer the sizzling taquitos to a serving plate. Garnish with your favorite toppings like salsa, sour cream, or fresh cilantro for an extra flavor boost.

Tips to Mix It Up with Flavor

• Replace chicken with shredded beef, pulled pork, or even black beans for a vegetarian twist that keeps the flavor profile exciting.
• Experiment with different cheese options like pepper jack, monterey jack, or queso fresco to add extra depth and personal flair to your taquitos.
• Lightly spray or brush the outside of tortillas with olive oil before cooking to ensure an extra-crispy, golden-brown exterior that's irresistibly crunchy.
• Create quick homemade dips like avocado crema, spicy salsa verde, or cool ranch to elevate your taquito experience and impress dinner guests.
• Prepare a large batch of taquitos, cool completely, then freeze individually wrapped for quick and easy future meals that save time and satisfy sudden cravings.

How to Serve Chicken Taquitos Hot

• Fiesta Flavor Companions: Pair these crispy taquitos with fresh salsa or zesty guacamole for a burst of authentic Mexican-inspired taste.
• Creamy Cool Contrast: Top with sour cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt to balance the spicy, warm taquitos and add a smooth, refreshing element.
• Colorful Garnish Explosion: Sprinkle chopped cilantro, diced green onions, or crumbled queso fresco over the taquitos to create a vibrant, restaurant-style presentation that adds extra layers of flavor and texture.
• Dipping Delight Station: Set up a quick dipping sauce bar with options like ranch, chipotle mayo, or a quick lime-cilantro crema to let everyone customize their taquito experience and add personal flair to the meal.

Meal Storage for Chicken Taquitos

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool them completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Arrange uncooked taquitos on a baking sheet, freeze individually, then transfer to freezer bags. These make-ahead delights can stay frozen for 2-3 months, ready for quick meals.
• Reheating Magic: Crisp up refrigerated or thawed taquitos in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. Oven method works too – bake at 375°F for 5-6 minutes until heated through and crispy.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare chicken mixture and roll taquitos in advance. Keep uncooked rolls refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

Crispy Chicken Taquitos

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mexican street-style chicken taquitos combine crispy tortillas with shredded chicken and zesty seasonings. Cheese and salsa complete this simple yet delicious recipe that brings authentic Mexican flavors directly to home kitchens without complex preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4.5 oz (127 grams) can green chilis
• 4 oz (113 grams) whipped cream cheese
• 1 oz (28 grams) packet taco seasoning
• ½ cup cooked chicken
• 12 flour or corn tortillas
• salsa or pico de gallo
• lettuce
• sour cream
• cheddar cheese
• hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Prep Filling: Thoroughly shred chicken and blend with taco seasoning, cream cheese, and green chilis until uniformly mixed and creamy.
2. Prepare Tortillas: Gently warm tortillas to increase flexibility, then evenly spread chicken mixture across each, leaving minimal edge space to prevent filling leakage.
3. Rolling Technique: Tightly roll tortillas into compact cylindrical shapes, carefully tucking sides to maintain structural integrity.
4. Positioning: Arrange taquitos seam-side down in air fryer basket or on lined baking sheet, ensuring stable placement.
5. Cooking Process: Preheat air fryer or oven to 400°F, then cook taquitos for 6-9 minutes, rotating midway to achieve consistent golden-brown exterior and complete internal heating.
6. Finishing Touch: Allow taquitos to rest briefly after cooking, then plate and garnish with salsa, sour cream, or chopped cilantro for enhanced flavor profile and visual presentation.

Notes

• Shred with Precision: Use two forks to pull chicken apart thoroughly, creating fine, uniform strands for better seasoning absorption and even texture.
• Perfect Tortilla Technique: Slightly warm tortillas on a skillet or microwave for 10-15 seconds to prevent cracking and improve rollability.
• Sealing Secret: Position taquitos seam-side down to prevent unraveling during cooking, ensuring a tight, compact roll.
• Crispy Browning Tip: Lightly spray or brush taquitos with oil before cooking to enhance golden-brown color and achieve extra crunchiness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 9 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg