Description
These Chicken Pepper Jack Taquitos are a delicious and easy-to-make Mexican-inspired main course featuring shredded chicken mixed with creamy and spicy cheeses, rolled in tortillas, and baked to crispy perfection. Perfect for a hearty dinner or snack, they combine the smoky flavors of chili powder and cumin with the creamy tang of sour cream and salsa.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Assembly
- 12 small flour or corn tortillas
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and help with even crisping.
- Mix filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, pepper jack cheese, softened cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, and salt. Stir until the mixture is well incorporated and creamy.
- Warm tortillas: Slightly warm the tortillas to make them pliable and easier to roll without cracking. This can be done in the microwave for about 20 seconds or on a skillet over low heat.
- Assemble taquitos: Spoon about 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling and place them seam side down onto the prepared baking sheet to prevent them from unrolling during baking.
- Oil the taquitos: Lightly brush or spray the tops of the rolled taquitos with vegetable oil or cooking spray. This helps them crisp up beautifully in the oven.
- Bake: Bake the taquitos in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and crisp on the outside.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot. Optionally, accompany with additional salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.
Notes
- Using corn tortillas provides a more traditional texture, while flour tortillas are easier to roll and less likely to crack.
- Add diced jalapeños to the filling for an extra spicy kick.
- These taquitos can be prepared ahead and frozen before baking. When baking from frozen, add a few extra minutes to the baking time until they are heated through and crispy.
