Easy Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Taquitos are one of those things that are essential to have on hand when you have kids at home. The older kids can easily toss them into the air fryer and make themselves and younger siblings a snack so you can get other things done. In the middle of the night, they can be great when you don’t want to cook. These homemade taquitos are easy to whip up in bulk and kids can help assemble them.
This year we are trying to make more and more of our favorite foods ourselves at home to save money and have a healthier version with less of the extra junk in our diets. Overall, for those trying to make their grocery budget go further, it is a major money saver to make a lot of your favorite snacks and meals at home.
Choosing the right tortillas.
If you are like our family your main reason for making taquitos for your family may be to simply save money. If this is the case one of the best things you can do to save money is to make the tortillas yourself or buy the cheapest ones you can find in bulk.
When my sister and her boyfriend made these for his mom they had to buy the low-carb tortillas in bulk and not only got a safer for her diabetes version of these handy snacks but a cheaper end result.
Corn street taco tortillas are usually the cheapest premade option while at home you can use your sourdough starter discard to make sourdough discard tortillas for just cents on the dollar.
What you need to make homemade taquitos
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- 1/2 cup salsa (mild, medium, or hot, depending on your preference)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 small corn or flour tortillas
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil for brushing
How to make homemade taquitos
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded cheese, salsa, cilantro, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
Warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 20 seconds to make them more pliable.
Place a spoonful of the chicken mixture along one edge of each tortilla.
Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling to form a taquito. Place them seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Lightly brush the taquitos with cooking spray or a small amount of vegetable oil.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the taquitos are golden and crispy.
If you are stocking these in the freezer allow them to cool before moving to a freezer back. They can easily be reheated directly from the freezer in the oven or air fryer for a few minutes on 350 degrees for a quick and handy snack.
Creative Taquito flavors to try
Buffalo Chicken Taquitos:
Add 1/4 cup buffalo sauce to the chicken mixture for a spicy kick.
Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks.
Barbecue Chicken Taquitos:
Mix in 1/4 cup barbecue sauce with the chicken mixture.
Top with coleslaw for a BBQ-inspired twist.
Southwest Ranch Taquitos:
Incorporate 1/4 cup ranch dressing into the chicken filling.
Top with diced tomatoes, green onions, and a drizzle of ranch.
Greek Chicken Taquitos:
Add feta cheese, black olives, and diced cucumbers to the chicken mixture.
Serve with tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean flair.
Sweet and Spicy Mango Taquitos:
Mix 1/2 cup diced mango with the chicken filling.
Drizzle with a sweet and spicy chili sauce before serving.
Experiment with different ingredients to discover your own favorite combinations. Whether you’re hosting a party, enjoying a movie night, or simply craving a tasty snack, these homemade chicken taquitos are sure to be a hit. Get ready to elevate your snacking game!
