Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos
These easy baked cream cheese chicken taquitos feature a creamy, cheesy chicken filling wrapped in crispy tortillas. Perfect as a quick appetizer, snack, or fun family dinner, they’re crowd-pleasing, meal-prep friendly, and can be customized for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 taquitos (about 4 servings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked shredded or chopped chicken (rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken)
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/3 cup salsa (jarred or homemade, mild or hot)
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 8–10 corn or flour tortillas (6-inch/15cm, soft taco size)
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for brushing or spraying taquitos before baking)
- Optional: chopped jalapeños (for heat), fresh cilantro (for garnish or mixed in), lime wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, salsa, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until creamy and evenly distributed. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Stack tortillas and wrap in a damp paper towel. Microwave for 30-40 seconds to soften, or heat individually in a dry skillet for 10-15 seconds per side until pliable.
- Place about 2 tablespoons of filling along the lower third of each tortilla. Roll up tightly and place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Lightly brush or spray the tops of the taquitos with olive oil or cooking spray.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
- Let cool for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro, extra green onions, or a squeeze of lime if desired. Serve with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole for dipping.
Notes
Warm tortillas thoroughly to prevent cracking. Don’t overfill to avoid leaks. For extra crispiness, use an air fryer at 400°F for 7-9 minutes. Make ahead by assembling and refrigerating or freezing before baking. Vegetarian and dairy-free adaptations are possible. Leftovers reheat best in the oven or air fryer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 taquito
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 10
Keywords: taquitos, chicken taquitos, cream cheese taquitos, baked taquitos, appetizer, Mexican, easy snack, party food, meal prep, tortilla, cheesy chicken