Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Introduction
Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick snack or party appetizer. Filled with a creamy, spiced chicken mixture, these rolled tortillas fry up golden brown for an irresistible crunch.

Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 small flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Optional garnishes: cilantro, lime wedges, diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded Mexican cheese blend, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Step 2: Warm the tortillas slightly to make them more pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Step 3: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla. Roll the tortillas tightly and secure with a toothpick if needed to keep them closed while frying.
- Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry the taquitos in batches, turning them carefully until all sides are golden brown and crispy, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch.
- Step 5: Remove the taquitos from the oil and drain on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil.
- Step 6: Serve the taquitos hot, garnished with cilantro, lime wedges, diced tomatoes, or your favorite dipping sauces.
Tips & Variations
- For a healthier version, bake the taquitos at 425°F for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through until crispy.
- Try using corn tortillas instead of flour for a gluten-free option, but warm them well to prevent cracking.
- Add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the filling for extra heat.
- If you prefer, use rotisserie chicken to save time on preparation.
Storage
Store leftover cooked taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10–12 minutes to maintain crispiness, or warm in a skillet over medium heat. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze these taquitos?
Yes, assemble the taquitos but do not fry them. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Fry or bake directly from frozen when ready to eat.
What dipping sauces go well with cream cheese chicken taquitos?
They pair well with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, or a creamy avocado dipping sauce for added flavor and creaminess.
PrintCream Cheese Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos are crispy, golden rolled tortillas filled with a creamy, flavorful chicken mixture spiced with garlic, chili, and cumin. Perfect as a snack or appetizer, these taquitos are fried to perfection and served with fresh garnishes like cilantro and lime for an irresistible Mexican-inspired treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 taquitos 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Taquitos
- 12 small flour tortillas
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Optional Garnishes
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream cheese, shredded Mexican cheese blend, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Use a spoon or spatula to mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and creamy.
- Prepare Tortillas: Warm the tortillas slightly by microwaving them for about 15-20 seconds or warming them on a skillet. This makes them more pliable and easier to roll without cracking.
- Assemble Taquitos: Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto the center of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick if needed to keep them from unrolling during frying.
- Fry Taquitos: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Carefully place the taquitos seam-side down in the hot oil. Fry them in batches, turning occasionally, until all sides are golden brown and crispy. This should take about 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Drain: Using a slotted spoon or tongs, remove taquitos from the hot oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- Serve: Remove toothpicks if used, garnish taquitos with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and diced tomatoes as desired. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Warming tortillas helps prevent cracking when rolling.
- You can bake the taquitos instead of frying for a lighter option; bake at 425°F (220°C) until crispy, about 15-20 minutes.
- Use a slotted spoon to safely remove taquitos from hot oil to avoid splashing.
- Make sure oil temperature is consistent for even frying and to avoid soggy taquitos.
- Leftover filling can be used as a dip or in tacos.
Keywords: chicken taquitos, cream cheese taquitos, Mexican appetizer, fried taquitos, easy taquitos recipe

