Homemade Chicken Taquitos

February 6, 2024 by Beth Pierce 72 Comments

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These creamy Chicken Taquitos are loaded with cream cheese, sour cream, diced cooked chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, and shredded pepper jack cheese, all fried to golden crispy perfection in a flour or corn tortilla. Skip the frozen food aisle and try making your own chicken taquitos from scratch.

Crispy Chicken Taquitos

Learn how to make delicious, crispy chicken taquitos at home with this easy recipe. Whether you prefer them baked or fried, these taquitos make for a satisfying meal or snack! Perfect for game day or a quick weeknight dinner. This is a must-try for anyone who has never had fresh taquitos. Serve this dish with shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream, jalapeños, and, if desired, a little Mexican rice or cilantro lime rice and refried beans. If you like this recipe, try my chicken enchilada casserole, chile verde, salsa chicken, and shrimp enchiladas.

Ingredients for Chicken Taquitos

Dairy – cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese
Canned green chiles
Seasonings – cumin, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper
Cooked chicken
Vegetable oil – or canola oil

How to make Chicken Taquitos

In a large bowl, stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded pepper jack cheese, and diced or shredded chicken.

Spoon a few tablespoons of the chicken mixture in a line across the top third of a tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly and secure it with a toothpick. Heat about 1-1 1/2 inches of oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pot like a Dutch oven. Using tongs, carefully add a few taquitos at a time and fry until golden brown on all sides. Work in batches and remove to a paper towel-lined plate or platter as they are fried. Serve with your choice of toppings like shredded lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, boom boom sauce, Pico de Gallo, or salsa.

Recipe Tips

This is a quick and easy recipe using rotisserie chicken but any diced cooked chicken works in this recipe, including spit-roasted rotisserie, oven-roasted, poached, grilled, and pan-fried.
The cream cheese mixture can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance.
Both corn and flour tortillas work great, but the corn tortillas will need to be heated and softened so they are pliable enough to roll. Heat in a nonstick skillet for 15 seconds on each side or 4 tortillas at a time, covered with damp paper towels in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
To spice it up, add a little fresh lime juice and chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.
The heavier skillets and pots are easier to fry in because they maintain a constant temperature better.
Secure the rolled tortillas with a toothpick. Remember to remove the toothpicks after frying.
These taquitos are best enjoyed promptly after frying or baking.

This is a much try for anyone that has never had fresh taquitos. Serve with shredded lettuce, salsa, sour cream, and if desired a little Mexican or Spanish rice.

Recipe Variations

Meat – cooked ground beef, chicken, pork, or turkey. Or try slow-cooked pork butt or shredded beef.
Cheese – Monterey Jack Cheese, queso fresco, Mexican Blend, or queso quesadilla
Toppings – lettuce, salsa, sour cream, Pico de Gallo, or guacamole.

Storage and Reheat

These taquitos are best enjoyed promptly after baking or frying. That being said, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer at 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes or in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until warm.

Freeze-prepped uncooked taquitos for up to 2 months in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Fry, bake, or air fry from frozen. See more below on cooking options.

Ways to cook Chicken Taquitos

Fry – prep as instructed. Then heat 1-1 1/2 inches of vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet or heavy pot like a Dutch oven. Using tongs, carefully add a few taquitos and fry until golden brown on all sides. Work in batches and remove to a paper towel-lined plate. This works for fresh and frozen taquitos.
Bake – prep as instructed. Brush or spray the taquitos lightly with vegetable oil. Place on a baking sheet seam side down. Bake in a 400-degree F preheated oven for 17-18 minutes or until lightly browned. For frozen taquitos, bake covered loosely with aluminum foil for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 17-18 minutes or until browned and heated through.
Air Fry – prep as instructed. Brush lightly with vegetable oil or spray the taquitos lightly with cooking spray. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the taquitos in the basket with space between them and air fry for 7-10 minutes. This works for fresh or frozen taquitos.

So much better than boxed creamy homemade Chicken Taquitos with cream cheese, sour cream, diced chicken, cheddar cheese, and pepper jack cheese all with the perfect blend of spices.

More Mexican recipes to try