Chicken and Cream Cheese Taquitos

Chicken and Cream Cheese Taquitos have a creamy and flavorful chicken and cream cheese filling with a crispy outer shell, making it a perfect finger food for tailgating.

Are you gearing up for the big game tailgating party or getting ready for a Mexican fiesta? Be sure to include these tasty taquitos on the Mexican menu!

Serve these crispy taquitos with other Mexican Appetizers, such as Guacamole, Queso, your favorite red salsa, or Salsa Verde, green salsa.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Why This Recipe Works
• What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe
• Ingredients
• How To Make Chicken And Cream Cheese Taquitos
• Recipe Tips
• Variations
• What To Serve With Taquitos
• FAQs
• What Is The Difference Between Taquitos and Flautas?
• Who Invented Taquitos?
• More Recipes
• Recipe
• ⭐ Reviews

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Tasty Filling. The taquito filling has an amazing flavor with the lightly spicy creamy chicken filling with its zesty Mexican seasoning. It is so delicious that I’m sure it will become a family favorite.
• Contrasting Textures. The contrasting textures add to the overall enjoyment of this handheld appetizer as the creamy chicken filling pairs nicely with the crispy tube-shaped shell.
• Finger Food. No knives and forks are needed with this casual appetizer. Go ahead pick it up with your hands and dip it into your favorite salsa, guacamole, or queso.
• Easy Recipe. You’re going to love how easy it is to make this recipe. Ready in only 20 minutes, it is sure to become a family favorite.

Why This Recipe Works

• Taste-Tested. I have made this several times for my husband and me, and he is one happy taste tester whenever I make these Chicken and Cream Cheese Taquitos. Therefore, you can rest assured that the recipe works.
• Step By Step. I include step-by-step photos and a video to help you follow the step-by-step instructions and to make the recipe-making process as easy as possible.
• Ingredients and Substitutions. I discuss each specific ingredient, why I used them, and possible substitutions.
• Recipe Tips. I include my recipe notes and tips for success to help you be successful when making this Chicken Taquitos recipe.
• FAQs. I answer common questions so you will have all the information you need when making this great recipe.

What You’ll Need To Make This Recipe

Equipment

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• Mixing Bowls
• Large spoon
• Large Skillet or Dutch Oven or Air Fryer
• Candy or Deep Fry Thermometer
• Tongs
• Serving Plate

Ingredients

Below I discuss the ingredients and possible substitutions in case you don’t have a specific ingredient. However, if you are looking for the specific measurements of each ingredient, be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this article, just above the comments, for the printable recipe card, which includes all the ingredients and the specific amounts of each one.

Taquitos

• Cream Cheese. You’ll need one block of cream cheese. I recommend using good-quality cream cheese. I know I can buy the grocery store generic cream cheese instead of the brand-name cream cheese, but it does not have the same texture and consistency as the brand name.
• Taco Seasoning. I used my Homemade Taco Seasoning. However, you could use store-bought taco seasoning. If you use store-bought taco seasoning, I recommend not adding any additional salt as the seasoning will already contain a lot of salt.
• Garlic Powder.
• Salsa (Optional). I like to add a little salsa roja (or red salsa) to the cream cheese mixture. Salsa Verde or green salsa would work as well. However, if you want to minimize the spice level, just leave it out. Have more salsa available for dipping when serving the taquitos.
• Chicken. You’ll need chicken that has already been cooked and shredded. Therefore, rotisserie chicken is great for shredded chicken, or if you have leftover cooked chicken, that will also work. You can use either skinless chicken breasts or thighs, just so long as they have been cooked and shredded.
• Cheese. You can use your favorite cheese that melts well. I used a package of pre-shredded Mexican Blend cheese to make it easy. However, for the best texture and quality possible, use a block of cheese and shred it yourself. If you have the time, go ahead and do that.
• Fresh Cilantro. While I may compromise on cheese, I won’t compromise on cilantro. You will need fresh chopped cilantro. It takes no time to chop it up and the taste and texture are way better than dried cilantro. Reserve some cilantro to use as a garnish.
• Corn Tortillas. If you can make corn tortillas or buy homemade ones, your tortillas will have the best flavor. However, the next option is store-bought corn tortillas, which is what most people will have access to. While you can use flour tortillas, I don’t recommend them for this particular recipe, as you want the tortillas to get nice and crispy, and the corn tortillas have the best texture.
• Oil. For frying, you’ll need enough vegetable oil, or avocado oil, to fill a skillet or pot about 1-inch deep.

Garnish

• Sour Cream or Mexican Crema. I like to use either sour cream or Mexican Crema as a garnish.
• Queso Fresco. I like to use crumbled cheese as a garnish when serving.
• Cilantro. You’ll need more chopped cilantro for a garnish.
• Pico de Gallo. I like to use this Pico de Gallo recipe. However, you could also use plain chopped tomatoes as a garnish.

How To Make Chicken And Cream Cheese Taquitos

1. Make The Chicken Filling. Combine the cream cheese, chili powder, garlic powder, chicken, cheese, and cilantro.
2. Warm The Tortillas. Place the tortillas on a plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.
3. Fill The Tortillas. Keep the tortillas covered and warm and remove one, then fill with 2 to 3 tablespoons of chicken mixture. Roll the tortilla up tight. Repeat until all the tortillas are filled.
4. Fry The Taquitos. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Using tongs, hold the tortilla together and place it in the hot pan. Place seam side down. Cook until golden brown on all sides. Repeat until all are cooked.
5. Drain The Taquitos. Remove and place on a paper towel-lined plate or a rack.
6. Serve The Taquitos. Serve with sour cream and salsa.

Recipe Tips

• Tortillas breaking? Follow step number 2 above. “Place the tortillas on a plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds.” This will allow the tortillas to be more pliable and roll easier.
• Tortillas don’t stay rolled up?  Use a toothpick to poke in the end before frying. If they still don’t stay rolled up, use metal tongs to hold the taquitos together while frying.
• Taquitos burning? Don’t let the oil overheat or your tacos will burn quickly. I recommend using a candy thermometer to measure the temperature of the oil.
• Cooking in Batches. If you are cooking the taquitos in batches, place the cooked taquitos on a foil-lined baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven preheated to  200 degrees F.
• Freezing Taquitos. Place cooled finished taquitos on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Then remove the frozen taquitos and place them in freezer bags to store for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• Reheating Taquitos. The quickest and easiest way to reheat the taquitos and keep them crisp is to reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3 minutes. For frozen taquitos, reheat them for about 6 minutes.

Variations

• Change The Filling. You can create Beef Taquitos or Pork Taquitos by using beef or pork as a protein instead of chicken.
• Chicken Filling. If you don’t want to use rotisserie chicken for the filling, use this Oven Roasted Chicken Recipe and shred the chicken.
• Change The Seasoning. You can change the flavor of the filling by using your favorite seasonings or salsa. For example, add a chipotle pepper with a teaspoon of adobo sauce to the filling.
• Change The Cooking Method. Create Air Fryer Taquitos or Oven Baked Taquitos by changing how you cook the taquitos.

What To Serve With Taquitos

Serve these yummy chicken and cream cheese taquitos with your favorite dip or salsa. Below are a few of my favorites!

• Game Day Guacamole
• Salsa Verde
• Creamy Tomatillo Jalapeno Ranch Dip
• Mexican Rice
• Instant Pot Refried Beans

FAQs

Why Do Tortillas Break?

Tortillas will break if they are not hot enough or if they are not moist enough. This is why I include in the instructions heating the tortillas in damp paper towels in a microwave briefly before rolling them because this will help prevent them from breaking.

What Is The Difference Between Taquitos and Flautas?

Taquitos use corn tortillas, which are often smaller than flour tortillas. Flautas use large flour tortillas, often burrito size, and are then fried.

Who Invented Taquitos?

While Taquitos are considered Mexican food by many, according to Foodimentary.com, they are believed to have been invented by a 1940s tortilla factory owner in San Diego to increase sales.

More Recipes

• Chicken Empanadas
• Chicken Dorito Casserole
• BBQ Chicken Tostadas

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