Tasty Chicken-Cheese Taquitos: Quick Cooking Times And Tips

Chicken and cheese taquitos are a fun and delicious meal that can be made in the oven or air fryer. They are a great option for those looking for a healthier alternative to frying, as they still achieve a nice crispy texture. Taquitos are typically made with corn tortillas, but flour tortillas are a good substitute as they are easier to roll. The filling is a simple combination of shredded chicken, cheese, and spices, which can be adjusted to your preference. The chicken and cheese taquitos take under 30 minutes to cook and can be served with toppings such as guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.

How to cook chicken and cheese taquitos in an air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons diced onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped green chiles (such as Ortega®)
• 2 tablespoons Mexican-style hot tomato sauce (such as El Pato®)
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• Avocado oil cooking spray
• 6-inch flour tortillas

Optional toppings and sides:

• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Shredded lettuce
• Green chillies
• Salsa verde
• Shredded Mexican blend cheddar cheese
• Sliced jalapenos
• Chopped fresh tomatoes
• Chopped fresh cilantro

Method

• Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute until fragrant.
• Add the green chiles and Mexican tomato sauce to the skillet and stir to combine.
• Add the shredded chicken, Mexican cheese blend, and cream cheese to the skillet. Cook and stir until the cheeses have melted and the mixture is warmed through (about 3 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat the tortillas in a skillet or directly on the grates of a gas stove until soft and pliable.
• Place 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla up tightly over the mixture, then set it aside. Repeat until all the tortillas are filled and rolled.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching, and mist with avocado oil.
• Cook the taquitos for 6-9 minutes until golden brown. Turn them over, mist with avocado oil again, and air fry for another 3-5 minutes until crispy.
• Serve with your choice of toppings and sides.

How to cook chicken and cheese taquitos in the oven

Chicken and cheese taquitos are a fun and delicious dish to make for the family or for a party. They are also a great way to use up leftover chicken. This guide will take you through the steps to make them, from preparing the filling to baking them in the oven.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
• Spices: cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, and ground black pepper
• Fresh lime juice
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, Monterey jack, or pepper jack)
• Corn or flour tortillas
• Vegetable oil, cooking spray, or olive oil
• Optional toppings/sides: guacamole, salsa, sour cream, Greek yoghurt, refried beans, Mexican rice, or veggies

Method

Firstly, preheat your oven to 400-425°F. You want the oven nice and hot so that the taquitos will crisp up. Line a large baking sheet with foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray or brush it with oil.

In a medium bowl, combine the shredded chicken with your chosen spices and fresh lime juice. Stir until the chicken is well coated with the seasonings. Then, stir in the shredded cheese.

To prevent the tortillas from tearing, heat them up in the microwave. Place two paper towels dampened with water and put two tortillas at a time in between them. Microwave for 20-30 seconds.

Next, place a heaping tablespoon of the chicken and cheese mixture in the center of each tortilla and roll them up tightly. Place the taquitos seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Continue rolling until all the tortillas and filling are used up. You should have around 12-20 taquitos, depending on the size of your tortillas and the amount of filling.

Spray the taquitos generously with oil or cooking spray, or brush them lightly with olive oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy.

Tips

• If you are making the taquitos ahead of time, you can freeze them before baking. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze. When frozen, put them in a freezer bag and freeze for up to one month. When you want to bake them, preheat the oven to 425°F and place the frozen taquitos on a large baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray and bake for 15-20 minutes.
• If you are using corn tortillas, you can make them more flexible by wrapping a few tortillas in wet paper towels and microwaving them for about 20 seconds. This will prevent them from ripping when you fill and roll them.
• If you want to add some extra spice, make a dipping sauce by mixing sour cream with sriracha.

How to assemble chicken and cheese taquitos

To assemble chicken and cheese taquitos, you'll need to prepare the filling, soften the tortillas, fill and roll the tortillas, and then bake them.

Prepare the filling

Combine the filling ingredients in a large bowl and stir until well combined and creamy. Typical filling ingredients include cooked shredded chicken, cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, seasonings, garlic, cilantro, scallions, and shredded cheese.

Soften the tortillas

To prevent the tortillas from tearing when filling and rolling, it's important to soften them first. Place two paper towels dampened with water on a microwave-safe plate and place two tortillas on top. Microwave on high for about 10-30 seconds, or until the tortillas are soft and pliable. Repeat this process until you have softened all the tortillas.

Fill and roll the tortillas

Place a heaping spoonful of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of each tortilla and roll the tortilla tightly. Secure it with a toothpick if needed. Place the rolled tortilla seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, making sure the taquitos are not touching each other.

Bake the taquitos

Spray the tops of the taquitos lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with a little salt. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, or until the taquitos are crisp and golden.

How to freeze chicken and cheese taquitos

Chicken and cheese taquitos are a great make-ahead meal or snack. They can be frozen before or after baking, and they reheat well in the oven or air fryer. Here is a guide on how to freeze chicken and cheese taquitos:

Freezing Unbaked Taquitos:

First, prepare the taquitos as you normally would, but do not bake them. Place the assembled taquitos on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching each other. Place the baking sheet flat in the freezer and leave until the taquitos are frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer the taquitos to a large freezer bag, remove excess air, seal, and return to the freezer.

Freezing Baked Taquitos:

If you prefer to freeze your taquitos after baking, simply bake them as you normally would and let them cool completely. Then, transfer the baked taquitos to a baking sheet and follow the same freezing procedure as above.

Reheating Frozen Taquitos:

When you are ready to enjoy your frozen taquitos, preheat your oven to 350-425°F (or 400°F if using an air fryer). Place the frozen taquitos on a lined baking sheet, leaving some space between them. Lightly spray the taquitos with cooking spray and sprinkle with a little salt. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until crispy and heated through. There is no need to thaw the taquitos before baking.

Tips for Working with Corn Tortillas:

Corn tortillas are more prone to cracking than flour tortillas, so if you choose to use corn tortillas, take some extra care when assembling your taquitos. Warm the tortillas before filling and rolling them to make them more pliable. You can also use a mixture of cornstarch and water to seal the tortillas before freezing.

How to reheat chicken and cheese taquitos

Chicken and cheese taquitos are a delicious snack, but what happens when you have leftovers? Reheating them is the obvious answer, but how do you ensure they retain their crispy texture and delicious flavor? Here are some tips and tricks to help you reheat chicken and cheese taquitos to perfection!

Oven Reheating:

Start by preheating your oven to 375-425°F (190-220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the taquitos on it, making sure they don't touch each other. Spray the taquitos with cooking spray or brush them lightly with oil. Place the baking sheet in the oven and reheat for about 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking, and consider turning them halfway through for added crunch.

Air Fryer Reheating:

If you're short on time, an air fryer can be a great alternative. Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (175-200°C). Lightly brush or spray the taquitos with oil and place them in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Reheat for around 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even crisping.

Microwave Reheating:

While the microwave is convenient for quick reheating, it may result in softer taquitos. Place the taquitos on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Reheat on high for 1-2 minutes, checking frequently to avoid overcooking. Microwaves can cause uneven heating, so adjust the time as needed.

Skillet Reheating:

For an extra crispy finish, try reheating your taquitos in a skillet. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Place the taquitos in the skillet, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they're heated through and golden brown. This method requires close attention to prevent burning.

Tips for Successful Reheating:

• Always thaw frozen taquitos properly before reheating. You can do this by transferring them from the freezer to the refrigerator overnight or using the defrost setting on your microwave.
• Pair your reheated taquitos with complementary sauces and dips, such as salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or queso dip.
• Ensure your taquitos have sufficient taco seasoning, and add fresh cilantro or other toppings like diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, or chopped onions for added freshness.
• For an extra indulgent touch, sprinkle additional shredded cheese over the taquitos and broil them in the oven until the cheese is melted.

Frequently asked questions