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If you love crispy, cheesy, spicy comfort food that’s perfect for sharing or solo snacking, this Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Imagine golden, crunchy rolled tortillas filled with a creamy, tangy, and well-seasoned chicken mixture, fried to perfection and bursting with flavor in every bite. It’s a dish that brings warmth to the table and excitement to your taste buds, perfect for any occasion, from casual get-togethers to game day favorites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe uses straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients that pack a serious punch of flavor and texture. Each element plays a special role, whether it’s the creamy softness of cream cheese, the spicy kick of cayenne, or the satisfying crunch of fried corn tortillas.
- Cream cheese (8 ounces, softened): Adds rich creaminess that binds the filling together perfectly.
- Shredded cheese (2 cups, Pepper Jack or Mexican Blend): Melts into gooey, spicy goodness that complements the chicken.
- Rotel-style tomatoes (10 ounces, drained): Bring a juicy, zesty freshness that brightens the filling.
- Ground cumin (½ teaspoon): Infuses warm, earthy undertones that deepen the flavor profile.
- Cayenne pepper (1/8 teaspoon): Gives just enough heat to keep things exciting without overpowering.
- Lime juice (juice of ½ lime): Adds a splash of brightness and tang.
- Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all flavors.
- Cooked chicken (3 cups, shredded or small cubes): The heart of the taquito, tender and flavorful.
- Corn tortillas (20, 6-inch): The crispy shell that wraps everything up beautifully.
- Canola or peanut oil for frying: Perfect for achieving that irresistible golden crunch.
- Optional toppings – guacamole, salsa, lettuce, sour cream, cheese sauce, sliced black olives: To customize and add extra layers of texture and flavor.
How to Make Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Filling
Start by combining the softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, drained Rotel tomatoes, cumin, cayenne pepper, and freshly squeezed lime juice in a large bowl. Fold in the cooked chicken gently and season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. This creamy, spicy blend is the soul of your Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe and chilling it briefly helps the flavors meld together beautifully.
Step 2: Setting Up for Frying
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a metal rack on top. This setup allows the taquitos to drain and stay crisp after frying. Keep it close to your stove because frying goes fast once the oil is ready!
Step 3: Heating the Oil
Fill a Dutch oven or a deep skillet with about half an inch of canola or peanut oil and heat it to between 325°F and 350°F. Maintaining this temperature range ensures the tortillas get perfectly crispy without absorbing too much oil, keeping your taquitos light and crunchy.
Step 4: Warming the Tortillas
To prevent cracking during rolling, warm six tortillas at a time by stacking them on a microwave-safe plate, covering with a damp cloth, and microwaving for 30 seconds on each side. This softens the tortillas making them much easier to roll without tearing.
Step 5: Rolling the Taquitos
Place a warmed tortilla flat and spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken and cheese filling about one inch from the edge. Shape the filling into a tube and roll the tortilla tightly, starting from the edge closest to the filling. A tight roll ensures the filling stays secure when frying.
Step 6: Frying the Taquitos
Carefully place the rolled tortilla seam-side down into the hot oil using tongs and hold it closed for a moment to prevent it from unrolling. Fry each side until golden brown, then transfer the finished taquitos to the prepared rack to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, warming more as needed so you always have flexible shells to work with.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Your Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them hot with your favorite toppings and dipping sauces for a truly irresistible snack or meal.
How to Serve Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes elevates these taquitos from delicious to downright unforgettable. Cool guacamole and sour cream offer creamy contrasts to the crispy, spicy filling while salsa adds a zesty, tangy bite. Sprinkle on some shredded lettuce or sliced black olives for extra color and crunch.
Side Dishes
Complement your Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe with simple, fresh sides like a crisp Mexican-style salad, refried beans, or vibrant Mexican rice. These pairings balance the richness of the taquitos and turn your meal into a satisfying feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your taquitos upright in a tall glass as finger food, or slice them into bite-sized rounds with dipping sauces arranged together for parties. You can even layer them with cheese sauce and bake for a dressed-up version that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover taquitos can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Store them on a wire rack or paper towels to maintain their crispness instead of a sealed bag or container that traps moisture.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the taquitos before frying by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. They can be fried straight from frozen – no thawing necessary!
Reheating
To bring your taquitos back to crispy perfection, reheat them in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that satisfying crunch.
FAQs
Can I bake the Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe instead of frying?
Absolutely! For a healthier twist, bake the rolled taquitos on a greased baking sheet at 400°F for about 20 minutes or until crisp and golden, flipping halfway through. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
What kind of chicken works best?
Rotisserie chicken is a dream here because it’s already cooked, flavorful, and shreds easily. You can also use baked or grilled chicken breast or thighs, whichever you prefer.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, preparing the filling a few hours ahead or even the day before allows the flavors to develop beautifully, making your Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe even more delicious.
What type of tortillas should I use?
Small 6-inch corn tortillas are traditional for taquitos. Warming them before rolling prevents cracking and makes rolling easier, which is key for crisp, tight rolls.
Are there any good dipping sauces for these taquitos?
Definitely! Classic options include guacamole, salsa verde, sour cream, or a spicy cheese sauce. Mixing and matching sauces keeps every bite exciting.
Final Thoughts
There’s something incredibly satisfying about homemade Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe that just can’t be beaten. Crispy, cheesy, flavorful, and perfect for any casual gathering, this recipe is bound to become a beloved staple in your kitchen. Give it a try, and watch how quickly they disappear – you might want to double the batch!
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Print
Fried Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 to 5.5 people (approximately 20 taquitos)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Description
Crispy and flavorful Fried Chicken Taquitos made with a creamy cheese and spiced chicken filling, rolled in warm corn tortillas and deep-fried to golden perfection. Perfectly served with guacamole, salsa, lettuce, sour cream, cheese sauce, and sliced black olives for a delicious Mexican-inspired appetizer or snack.
Ingredients
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheese (Pepper Jack, Mexican Blend, or Sharp Cheddar)
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel-style tomatoes, drained
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Juice of ½ lime
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 3 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken, shredded or small cubes)
Tortillas and Frying
- 20 6-inch corn tortillas
- Canola or peanut oil for frying (about ½-inch deep)
Toppings
- Guacamole
- Salsa
- Lettuce
- Sour cream
- Cheese sauce
- Sliced black olives
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, drained Rotel tomatoes, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, and lime juice. Fold in the cooked chicken and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Prepare frying station: Line a large rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a metal rack on top. Set this near the stove to drain the fried taquitos after cooking.
- Heat the oil: Pour about ½-inch of canola or peanut oil into a Dutch oven or deep skillet. Heat the oil to between 325°F and 350°F, suitable for frying.
- Warm the tortillas: Arrange 6 corn tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a clean, damp cloth. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, then flip the stack over, cover again, and microwave an additional 30 seconds to make the tortillas pliable and easy to roll.
- Fill and roll taquitos: Remove one warmed tortilla and place it on a flat surface. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken and cheese mixture about 1 inch from the edge of the tortilla. Shape the filling into a tube and tightly roll the tortilla around it starting from the edge closest to the filling.
- Fry the taquitos: When the oil is ready, carefully lower the rolled taquito, seam-side down, into the hot oil using tongs. Hold the seam with the tongs to prevent it from opening while frying. Cook until the bottom is golden brown, then flip to fry the other side until equally golden. Transfer the cooked taquito to the prepared metal rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining 5 warmed tortillas.
- Continue warming and frying: Repeat the warming, filling, rolling, and frying process with the remaining tortillas in batches until all taquitos are cooked.
- Serve: Serve the crispy fried chicken taquitos hot with your choice of guacamole, salsa, shredded lettuce, sour cream, cheese sauce, and sliced black olives. Enjoy immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Warming the tortillas before filling prevents cracking while rolling.
- Maintaining the oil temperature between 325°F and 350°F ensures even cooking and avoids greasiness.
- Hold the taquito seam closed while frying to keep it from unrolling.
- Use a sturdy oil with a high smoke point like canola or peanut oil for best frying results.
- Leftover taquitos can be reheated in a hot oven or air fryer to retain crispness.
