Hey y’all! Austin Carter here from Beyond the Bayou Blog. Today, I’m sharing my recipe for Taquitos – a dish that’s become a staple in my house and has quite a story behind it.
It all started during a road trip through Texas with my buddy Mike. We stopped at this tiny roadside stand that served the most amazing taquitos I’d ever tasted. I was determined to recreate them at home, but my first attempts were…well, let’s just say they were more “tacky” than “taquito.”
After weeks of trial and error (and a few near-misses with the fire alarm), I finally cracked the code. These taquitos became my go-to for potlucks with amazing sides and cocktails, and they even helped me win over my in-laws at our first family gathering!
Now, I’m excited to share this recipe with you. It’s simple, delicious, and perfect for feeding a crowd or just satisfying that late-night craving. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get cooking!
Why to Love This Recipe?
- Versatile: These chicken taquitos are perfect as appetizers or a Mexican dinner.
- Simple and Quick: With minimal ingredients, they are fast and easy to make.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the filling to suit different tastes by using different meats or adding various spices and toppings.
Taquitos Recipe
Equipment
- Deep-fryer or deep frying pan
- Medium bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Tongs
- Paper Towels
- Toothpicks
- Plate or tray for draining
Ingredients
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves – cooked and shredded
- 1 ½ cups shredded smoked Cheddar and Swiss cheese blend
- 1 7 ounce can green salsa
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 20 6 inch corn tortillas
- 1 quart peanut oil for frying or as needed
- 1 cup sour cream Optional
- 1 cup chunky salsa Optional
- 1 cup guacamole Optional
Instructions
- Heat oil: Preheat the deep-fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix filling: In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, cheese blend, green salsa, and chopped onion.
- Prepare tortillas: Spoon 1 1/2 tablespoons of the mixture onto each tortilla and roll them up. Secure with toothpicks.
- Fry taquitos: Fry 4-5 taquitos at a time for 3-5 minutes, or until golden brown. Once they float, fry for an additional minute.
- Drain: Remove taquitos and place on paper towels to drain.
- Serve: Serve hot with sour cream, chunky salsa, and guacamole for dipping.
Nutrition
Tips that Will Surely Help!
- Warm tortillas first: To make tortillas flexible, warm them in the oven for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel for 30 seconds. This prevents cracking or unrolling.
- Spread filling on one side: Place the filling towards one side of the tortillas, not in the center. This helps you roll the tortilla tightly, making the taquitos hold their shape better and become crunchier.
- Save for later: Eat your taquitos right away or freeze them for up to a month. To thaw, bake frozen taquitos in a 400°F oven for about 25 minutes until crisp and warmed through.