Chicken Taquitos with Salsa – Easy Freezer Meal Idea
These chicken taquitos make a tasty, protein rich snack, appetizer or dinner. We love these homemade, baked taquitos because they’re tasty, nutritious, easy to make, fun to eat and freezer friendly.
More Chicken Recipes to Try: Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Grilled Chicken & Lime Quesadillas, Chicken & Apple Salad
These taquitos were inspired by the Tropical Chicken Taquitos from Manitoba Chicken Producers. I love them, but my kids aren’t a huge fan of pineapple – so, I decided to use the same idea with different ingredients. Thanks Manitoba Chicken Producers for the inspiration and for sponsoring this post to explore another tasty chicken taquito option.
What is a Taquito?
A taquito is a small, stuffed tortilla rolled into a cigar or cylinder shape that’s deep fried ’til it’s crispy and golden. It’s a popular Mexican street food and a perfect snack to go. They’re often served with guacamole, sour cream and/or salsa.
Depending on who you talk to or where in Mexico you go, these taquitos could be called flautas. They’re very similar and the terms are often used interchangeably. Flautas are often thinner but longer and made with wheat flour tortillas. Taquitos are technically shorter, thicker and typically made with corn tortillas. But you’ll find all sorts of variations all over the place. Don’t get hung up on the name, just enjoy!!
What’s In a Chicken Taquito?
Tucked inside these tortillas is a mixture of chicken, salsa, taco seasoning, corn, green onions, jalapeno peppers and cheese. Delicious, nutritious, easily accessible ingredients my whole family loves!
For the chicken, I use either leftover cooked chicken or cooked ground chicken, both option works beautifully. When I’m making a big batch to put in the freezer or to make in a workshop, I make a big batch of shredded chicken in my slow cooker before hand.
Do You Have to Deep Fry Taquitos?
NO! That’s one of the things I love about this homemade version – no deep or shallow frying required! You can get crispy and delicious taquitos in the oven or air fryer.
Bake Taquitos in the Oven
I bake our taquitos in the oven and they come out crispy and golden. I put them in a 400°F (204°C) oven on an oiled baking sheet and brush a little oil on top. I rotate them once or twice during the 20 minute cooking time.
Make Taquitos in an Air Fryer
You can also make taquitos in an air fryer. Depending on the size of your fryer, you may need to use the small tortilla wraps and make them in several batches.
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (204°C) .
- Brush or spritz taquitos with a little bit of oil. Arrange taquitos in a single layer in air fryer basket seam side down. Be sure to leave space around each taquito so they get crispy all the way around. Cook until golden, 5-7 minutes. Turn and cook another 3 minutes.
How to Roll Taquitos
Don’t be intimidated by rolling the taquitos – it’s easy! Watch the video in the recipe card to see how.
- Add 2-3 Tbsp of filling (don’t use too much!) in a line across the center of the tortilla.
Fold the tortilla over the filling and then bring the top part of the tortilla back a little and tuck it snuggly around the filling as shown below. Then roll forward keeping it nice and snug.
Lay seam down on a lightly greased baking sheet. For a little more crispiness, brush wraps with a light coating of oil.
How to Freeze Taquitos
Freezing taquitos is easy! Bake and then let them cool on a cooling rack. Once cool, place the rack in the freezer for an hour. When the taquitos are frozen solid, place them in a freezer bag, remove as much air as possible and that’s it. You’ll be able to take out one or two taquitos at a time. Remember to write reheating instruction on the bag.
Taste best if used within 3-6 months but will be safe to eat as long as they stay frozen.
How to Reheat Taquitos
Here are three reheating options:
Reheat in Microwave
My kids are fine with tossing them in the microwave. It’s fast and convenient when they come home hungry. They’re not crispy like they are when made in the oven or air fryer, but the kids don’t mind.
Place one or two frozen taquitos on plate and microwave on high microwave for 1 minute, rotate and heat for another 30 seconds. Repeat for 30 seconds if needed.
Reheat in Oven
Bake in preheated oven at 350°F for 20 minutes until heated through. Cover with foil if becoming too crisp or brown.
Reheat in Air Fryer
Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Place taquitos in fryer with space all around each one and cook for 3 minutes.
Chicken Taquito Recipe
Chicken Taquitos with Salsa – Freezer Meal Idea
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 9 oz
- 1 1/2 cup grated cheddar or Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 cup frozen sweet corn niblets
- 2 Tbsp chopped green onion
- 1/2 Tbsp Taco Seasoning
- 3/4 cup salsa
- 1 Tbsp diced green chilies
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 10 – 12 large tortillas
- 1/2-1 Tbsp canola oil optional for brushing on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F/204°C.
- Lightly grease a large baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (except tortillas) and mix well.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Lay a softened tortilla on cutting board or plate.
- If need be, warm tortillas to make them easier to roll. Place a damp paper towel on a microwave safe plate, place stack of tortillas on top, cover with a second damp paper towel. Heat on high for 1 minute.
- Spread 2-3 tablespoons of filling in a line down center of tortilla. (Don't overfill).
- Bring tortilla edge closest to you over the filling. Bring the top layer of tortilla back slightly tucking some of it under the filling to form a tight roll, continue to roll forward tightly.
- Place taquito seam side down on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling. If there is filling left over, tuck it into the ends of the taquitos or serve on a salad or with tortilla chips.
- For a crispier shell, brush tops of rolls lightly with canola oil.
- Bake until crisp about 12-15 minutes. Turn and bake for another 3-5 minutes.
- Serve with extra salsa, hot sauce, guacamole, refried beans, sour cream and cilantro.
- To freeze, cool taquitos on cooling rack. Place entire rack in freezer for 1 hour so each taquito freezes separately. Once frozen, seal well in freezer bag and label.
- To reheat, microwave 1 frozen taquito for 1 minute, rotate and heat for another 30 seconds. Or bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until heated through. Cover with foil if becoming too brown.
- Makes 10 – 12 taquitos
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
What To Serve with Taquitos
Taquitos are meant to be fast, on the go kind of foods you can eat with your fingers. Maybe that’s why the kids love them so much! When eaten like this, they’re great to dip into a little guacamole, salsa and/or sour cream.
You can also serve them as a meal with a side salad and topped with all the great Mexican sides. Here’s what it looks like when I eat taquitos.
More Chicken Snack Recipes
If your household is like mine, there is always someone coming and going. Having something nourishing and satisfying that everyone loves and can easily prepare (reheat) is an important strategy in my house. That’s why I love these taquitos and other protein rich foods like them.
If you love these taquitos, you’ll also love some of these ideas from our friends at Manitoba Chicken Producers.
GRILLED CHICKEN LIME AND CHEESE QUESADILLAS
CHICKEN TOASTS WITH AVOCADO & TOMATO
Find the quesadilla and pizza recipe in their latest recipe booklet – More Cooking with Manitoba Chicken (Download, pdf format). In addition to tasty recipes, you’ll get helpful tips and facts about using chicken and how chickens are raised. All the recipes are triple tested and are easy to prepare. If you prefer a paper copy, order your copy by emailing [email protected].
Will you try these making taquitos? I’d love to hear about your experience and see your photos! Please share your photo and tag #getgettys and @ManitobaChicken so we can see it and like it!
This recipe was written in paid partnership with the Manitoba Chicken Producers. As always, opinions are my own and a sincere reflection of life in my home.
Getty Stewart is a Professional Home Economist, speaker, frequent media guest and writer sharing tips and recipes to build confidence and teach skills on how to use whole seasonal foods. She is the author of several recipe books, Founder of Fruit Share, a mom and veggie gardener. Sign up to get articles by Getty delivered to your inbox. You’ll get recipes, practical tips and great food information like this.
Getty do you visit rural school?
Hi Elaine! Yes, I’m open to doing workshops for young and old, rural or urban. I’ll be in your neighbourhood this spring and September for some half day workshops, maybe there are opportunities there?