Taquitos are a popular Tex-Mex appetizer, and they’re easy to make at home.
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What Are Taquitos?
Taquitos are rolled tacos that are deep-fried until crispy. In the 1970s, taquitos became one of the first Mexican foods to be sold frozen, and since then, ground beef taquitos have become an easy comfort food staple. Like tacos, taquitos can be filled with almost anything, from shredded chicken to diced veggies.
What to Serve With Taquitos
For the classic Tex-Mex experience, serve your homemade taquitos with a side of arroz rojo and refried beans (try pinto or black beans). Taquitos are often served garnished with sour cream, guacamole, a mix of shredded cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese, and pico de gallo. You can also serve them ahogados: drowned in sauce, like enchiladas. Or, since taquitos are so easy to dip, serve them as finger food with a variety of salsas.
Taquitos vs. Flautas: What’s the Difference?
Taquitos and flautas are different names for the same thing—tacos that have been rolled and deep-fried. “Taquitos” is the typical term in California, Texas, and New Mexico, while flautas (“flutes”) is typical in Northern Mexico. In Central Mexico, fried tacos are known as tacos dorados ("golden tacos"). That said, flautas are often larger than taquitos and can be made with flour tortillas, whereas taquitos are almost always made with corn tortillas.
Easy Chicken Taquitos Recipe
makes
12 taquitosprep time
20 mintotal time
35 mincook time
15 minIngredients
- 1
Warm tortillas in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel until pliable, about 30 seconds each. Wrap in a clean kitchen towel and set aside.
- 2
Meanwhile, make the chicken mixture. In a large bowl, combine chicken with cream cheese, garlic powder, cumin, and salt.
- 3
Assemble taquitos. Place about two tablespoons of the chicken mixture at one end of a tortilla, then roll tightly. Secure with toothpicks or tie with kitchen twine and place seam side down on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.
- 4
In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil until shimmering. Use tongs or a spider strainer to transfer taquitos to the oil in a single layer. Fry taquitos until golden brown, about 2–3 minutes, then flip and continue to fry another 2–3 minutes. Alternatively, make baked chicken taquitos. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, place the taquitos on a baking sheet, brush them with oil, and bake for 20 minutes.
- 5
Place fried or baked taquitos on paper towels and serve immediately. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, a drizzle of salsa, and a sprinkling of cheese and cilantro.
- 6
To make ahead of time, preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit before frying. Transfer drained taquitos to the oven to keep warm until ready to serve.
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