📑 Table of Contents ▶
- Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos: Fundamentals
- Fundamentals
- Preparation/setup
- Directions
- Tips for Crafting Perfect Taquitos
- Technique
- Tips/tricks
- Perfecting Your Taquitos
- Perfecting results
- Troubleshooting/variations
- Serving Ideas and Storage Tips
- Serving/presentation
- Pairings/storage
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- Cabbage Roll Soup
- Easy Loaded Potato Soup
Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos
Prepped for busy weeknights and perfect for casual gatherings, Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos bring a delightful crunch combined with creamy, cheesy goodness. These taquitos offer a fantastic way to elevate everyday chicken leftovers into a flavor-packed experience that the whole family will love.
With just a handful of simple ingredients, this recipe transforms cooked chicken into a scrumptious filling that wraps snugly in tortillas, resulting in an irresistible dish. The combination of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and zesty salsa creates a rich and delicious flavor that entices every palate.
Crafting these taquitos is not only fun but also a fabulous opportunity to showcase your culinary skills. Rolling the tortillas adds a hands-on experience perfect for cooking together with family or friends. Whether served as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos can claim a spot at your dining table for any occasion.
Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos: Fundamentals
Fundamentals
Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos offer a delightful fusion of flavors and textures. The versatility of this dish allows you to explore various ingredient combinations while maintaining the essence of what makes taquitos delicious. The core ingredients provide a simple base from which you can experiment or stick to the classic flavors.
Understanding the fundamentals of this recipe sets the stage for a successful cooking experience. Utilizing cooked chicken gives you a head start. Whether you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken or you’ve prepped it yourself, the key is to ensure it’s nicely shredded. This ensures that every bite is filled with tender, flavorful chicken mingling perfectly with the creaminess of the cheese mixture.
Preparation/setup
Setting up your cooking space is vital for making Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos. Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking. A hot oven guarantees that your taquitos cook evenly and get crispy on the outside while maintaining a moist filling.
Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This not only makes for easy cleanup but also helps prevent the taquitos from sticking. Have all your ingredients on hand, including the shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, salsa, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and tortillas. This organized approach streamlines the process, ensuring that you can focus on creating those mouthwatering taquitos seamlessly.
Ingredients
Gather the following ingredients to make your Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 10 small flour or corn tortillas
- Cooking spray or olive oil for brushing
These ingredients come together to create a delicious flavor profile, ensuring that everybody at your dining table gets to enjoy the magic of homemade taquitos. The blending of spices, cheese, and chicken makes for an aromatic blend that tantalizes taste buds.
Directions
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In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until the mixture is creamy and well blended.
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Place 2–3 tablespoons of this filling onto each tortilla and roll them tightly. Ensure each taquito is seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
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Lightly brush or spray the tops of the taquitos with olive oil or cooking spray, promoting a golden, crispy finish in the oven.
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Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
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Serve warm alongside sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa for dipping.
Tips for Crafting Perfect Taquitos
Technique
The technique involved in making Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos is straightforward but essential for achieving the desired results. Properly preparing the filling leads to a cohesive mixture, while the rolling technique helps keep the filling snug inside.
Make sure to ensure your tortillas are pliable yet sturdy enough to hold the filling. Warm them slightly in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel to prevent tearing. This step keeps the tortillas flexible and makes rolling much easier.
Tips/tricks
Keep in mind a few handy tips to elevate your taquito game. Experiment with different types of cheese to customize the flavor further. A mix of pepper jack adds a nice kick, while Monterey Jack keeps things mild yet delicious.
For an extra crunchy exterior, consider adding a light sprinkle of breadcrumbs on top before baking. This provides an interesting texture contrast and makes the taquitos even more tempting.
Perfecting Your Taquitos
Perfecting results
Achieving the perfect Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos involves paying attention to cooking times and textures. The ideal taquito should boast a golden-brown exterior, easy to bite into, revealing a creamy, warm, and flavorful filling.
Adjusting the baking time slightly can alter the level of crispiness to your liking. If you prefer them extra crispy, an additional minute or two in the oven can help. Just watch the taquitos closely to prevent burning. Taking them out at the right time ensures they maintain both moisture and deliciousness.
Troubleshooting/variations
If you’re looking to troubleshoot, ensure your filling isn’t too wet, which can lead to soggy taquitos. If that happens, consider adding a bit more shredded cheese or breadcrumbs to absorb extra moisture.
If you want to incorporate more flavors, feel free to blend in vegetables like diced bell peppers or corn for added texture and taste. Each variation brings a delightful twist, making this recipe highly adaptable.
Serving Ideas and Storage Tips
Serving/presentation
Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos deliver fantastic presentation opportunities. Arrange them neatly on a platter with small bowls of dipping sauces like sour cream, guacamole, and extra salsa positioned around them. This setup encourages sharing and provides a party-like atmosphere at your table.
Consider garnishing the taquitos with fresh herbs like cilantro or sliced green onions. These additions not only enhance the look but also contribute an aromatic freshness that heightens the overall experience.
Pairings/storage
While Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos shine on their own, consider serving alongside a fresh salad or a side of rice to create a more substantial meal. They also pair well with a variety of dips to satisfy any craving.
For storage, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness when you decide to dive into them again. Enjoying leftovers is just as delightful as the first meal, giving you the comfort of delicious food ready to go.
These Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos bring not only convenience but also a delightful flavorsome experience. Transform your kitchen into a hub of culinary pleasure with this easy recipe.
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Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Baked Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos bring a delightful crunch combined with creamy, cheesy goodness, transforming everyday chicken leftovers into a flavor-packed experience.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup salsa
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 10 small flour or corn tortillas
- Cooking spray or olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, salsa, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and well blended.
- Place 2–3 tablespoons of this filling onto each tortilla and roll them tightly, ensuring seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly brush or spray the tops of the taquitos with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve warm alongside sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa for dipping.
Notes
Experiment with different types of cheese to customize the flavor, and consider adding breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taquito
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: taquitos, chicken taquitos, baked taquitos, creamy taquitos, Mexican appetizer
