Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Introduction
Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos are crispy, flavorful, and perfect for a quick snack or party appetizer. These bite-sized rolled tortillas filled with a creamy, spiced chicken mixture will surely become a family favorite.

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, cream cheese, shredded Mexican cheese blend, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Step 2: Warm the tortillas slightly to make them soft and easier to roll without cracking.
- Step 3: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto one edge of each tortilla. Roll them tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick if needed to hold their shape while frying.
- Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully fry the taquitos in batches, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 3-4 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 hot, garnished with cilantro, lime wedges, or diced tomatoes as desired, along with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tips & Variations
- For a healthier option, bake taquitos on a greased baking sheet at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until crispy.
- Mix in some chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to add a spicy kick to the filling.
- Use corn tortillas instead of flour for a more traditional flavor, but warm them carefully to prevent cracking.
- Wrap the rolled taquitos tightly to avoid the filling spilling out during frying.
Storage
Store leftover cooked taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make them soggy.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, the chicken and cream cheese filling can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Bring it to room temperature before assembling the taquitos to make rolling easier.
What can I serve with these taquitos?
These taquitos pair well with guacamole, salsa, sour cream, or a fresh pico de gallo. Lime wedges and chopped cilantro also complement the flavors nicely.
PrintCream Cheese Chicken Taquitos Recipe
These Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos are crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavorful shredded chicken and warm spices, rolled in soft flour tortillas and fried to golden perfection. Easy to make and perfect for a delicious appetizer or snack, they are garnished with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and tomatoes for a fresh contrast to the rich filling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 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
Tortillas
- 12 small flour tortillas
Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Optional Garnishes
- Cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded Mexican cheese blend, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until all the ingredients are well blended into a creamy, flavorful mixture.
- Prepare Tortillas: Warm the flour tortillas slightly to make them more pliable and easy to roll without cracking. You can warm them in a microwave for about 20 seconds or on a dry skillet over medium heat for a few seconds on each side.
- Assemble Taquitos: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken and cheese filling onto each warm tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick if needed to prevent unrolling during frying.
- Fry Taquitos: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches around 350°F (175°C), fry the taquitos in batches, turning occasionally, for about 3-4 minutes per batch or until all sides are golden brown and crispy.
- Drain: Remove the fried taquitos from the oil and place them on paper towels or a wire rack to drain excess oil and keep them crisp.
- Serve: Remove toothpicks if used. Garnish with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and diced tomatoes as desired. Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauces such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to make mixing easier and to achieve a smooth filling.
- Warming tortillas makes rolling easier and prevents cracking during frying.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan when frying to allow even cooking and crispiness.
- Use a thermometer to maintain the oil temperature around 350°F for best frying results.
- To keep taquitos warm before serving, place them in a low oven (about 200°F) on a baking sheet.
- For a healthier option, consider baking taquitos at 425°F for 15-20 minutes or until crispy, turning halfway through.
Keywords: Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos, Chicken Taquitos, Mexican Appetizer, Fried Taquitos, Cream Cheese Recipes, Easy Appetizers

