Description
Mexican taquitos showcase crispy rolled tortillas filled with savory meat or beans. Crunchy exterior and rich flavors make these small rolls a perfect appetizer or quick snack you’ll enjoy with salsa and guacamole.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) cooked shredded chicken, beef, or beans
- ½ cup (118 ml) shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- 12 small corn tortillas
- ¼ cup (59 ml) vegetable oil (for brushing or frying)
- ¼ cup (59 ml) salsa or enchilada sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Guacamole
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Shredded lettuce
- Diced tomatoes
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Preparation: Thoroughly shred cooked chicken into fine, uniform pieces, eliminating any substantial chunks for consistent texture.
- Mixing: Blend shredded chicken with grated cheese, creating a harmonious base that provides richness and structural integrity to the filling.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce salsa into the chicken-cheese mixture, allowing the liquid to infuse moisture and elevate the overall taste profile.
- Seasoning: Gently fold in selected spices, ensuring complete and even distribution throughout the filling for balanced flavor.
- Tortilla Handling: Warm tortillas to increase pliability, preventing potential cracking during the rolling technique.
- Rolling: Position a controlled portion of filling near the tortilla’s edge, then tightly roll into compact cylinders, securing with toothpicks if needed.
- Cooking Method: Select preferred preparation technique – deep frying for a crisp exterior or baking for a lighter approach – ensuring thorough heating and golden-brown coloration.
- Serving: Allow taquitos to rest briefly after cooking, permitting the filling to stabilize and the exterior to achieve maximum crispness before serving.
Notes
- Prevent Tortilla Cracking: Warm tortillas briefly to increase flexibility, reducing the chance of splitting during rolling.
- Optimize Filling Distribution: Shred chicken finely and mix thoroughly to ensure even flavor and texture in every bite.
- Control Portion Size: Use consistent filling amounts to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent overstuffing or underfilling.
- Achieve Crispy Texture: Choose between deep frying for maximum crunch or baking for a healthier alternative, monitoring cooking time to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg