Description
Savory Cream Cheese and Chicken Taquitos offer a delightful Mexican-inspired snack that blends creamy textures with zesty flavors. Crispy tortillas wrapped around seasoned chicken and smooth cream cheese create an irresistible treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (473 ml / 16 fl oz) shredded chicken
- 1 cup (236 ml / 8 fl oz) shredded Mexican or Colby Jack cheese
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 8–10 small flour tortillas
- ⅓ cup (79 ml / 2.7 fl oz) salsa (mild or medium)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp (15 ml / 0.5 fl oz) lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray or olive oil (light brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat: Fire up the oven to 425F (220C), positioning the rack in the center. Lay out a parchment-lined baking sheet and spritz with cooking spray for effortless release.
- Mixture Creation: In a generous mixing bowl, whisk together cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until the blend transforms into a velvety, uniform mixture.
- Filling Assembly: Gently fold shredded chicken, cheese, and green onions into the creamy base, ensuring each morsel is perfectly coated and distributed throughout the mixture.
- Rolling Technique: Distribute the chicken mixture along the bottom third of each tortilla. Tightly roll each taquito, securing the seam underneath, and arrange them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Baking Process: Lightly mist or brush the taquito tops with oil. Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, targeting a golden-brown exterior with irresistibly crisp edges.
- Serving Suggestion: Plate the hot taquitos immediately, accompanied by classic dipping companions like sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or a vibrant cilantro drizzle to amplify the flavor profile.
Notes
Optimize Chicken Composition: Choose rotisserie or leftover chicken for maximum flavor and convenience, ensuring meat is finely shredded to prevent bulky filling and ensure smooth rolling.
Tortilla Temperature Trick: Warm tortillas slightly before filling to increase flexibility, preventing cracking and making rolling easier without breaking the delicate wrap.
Crispy Surface Strategy: For extra crunch, sprinkle a light layer of grated parmesan or breadcrumbs on taquito exterior before baking, creating a golden, textured finish that enhances overall taste and texture.
Dietary Adaptation Hack: Swap regular tortillas with low-carb alternatives like cauliflower wraps or use gluten-free corn tortillas for individuals with specific dietary requirements while maintaining the recipe’s core flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg