Jalapeño Popper Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Introduction

These Jalapeño Popper Chicken Taquitos bring a spicy, creamy twist to a classic favorite. Packed with tender chicken, melted cheeses, and a kick of jalapeño, they’re perfect as a snack or party appetizer.

Ingredients

• 3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cooked and diced)
• 8 oz cream cheese (full-fat)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup jalapeños (fresh or pickled, chopped)
• 8 flour tortillas (6-inch)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the diced chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped jalapeños, cumin, and garlic powder until well mixed.
3. Step 3: Warm the tortillas slightly to make them easier to roll. Spoon an even amount of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla.
4. Step 4: Roll the tortillas tightly into taquitos and place them seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Step 5: Brush the tops of the taquitos with olive oil to help them crisp up in the oven.
6. Step 6: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy.
7. Step 7: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving with your favorite dips.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add finely chopped fresh jalapeño seeds or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.
• Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a more pronounced spicy flavor.
• Use corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, but warm them carefully to prevent cracking.
• If you prefer, cook the taquitos in an air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes to get them extra crispy.

Storage

Store any leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake in a 350°F (175°C) oven or air fryer for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken breasts?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works great and saves time. Just shred it and mix with the other ingredients.

Can I freeze these taquitos for later?

Absolutely. Freeze the rolled but uncooked taquitos on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 94 reviews

These Jalapeño Popper Chicken Taquitos are a spicy, creamy, and crispy Mexican-inspired appetizer or meal. Filled with tender chicken, cream cheese, cheddar, and jalapeños, then rolled in tortillas and baked to golden perfection, they offer a perfect blend of cheesy heat with a satisfying crunch.

• Author: Bella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 taquitos 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Filling

• 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced
• 8 oz cream cheese (full-fat)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup jalapeños (fresh or pickled), chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Taquitos

• 8 flour tortillas (6-inch)
• 2 tbsp olive oil (for brushing)

Instructions

1. Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the cooked and diced chicken breasts with the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped jalapeños, cumin, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. Assemble the taquitos: Warm the flour tortillas slightly to make them pliable. Spoon an even amount of the chicken and cheese mixture onto one edge of each tortilla. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly around the filling to form a taquito, tucking in the edges as you roll to prevent filling from spilling out.
3. Prepare for baking: Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush each taquito lightly with olive oil to promote a crispy, golden exterior when baked.
4. Bake the taquitos: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the taquitos for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Halfway through baking, flip them over to ensure even crisping.
5. Serve: Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. These taquitos pair well with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream for dipping.

Notes

• Use fresh or pickled jalapeños depending on your preferred heat level.
• For a crispier texture, broil the taquitos for an additional 1-2 minutes at the end of baking—watch carefully to avoid burning.
• To save time, shredded rotisserie chicken can be used instead of cooking chicken breasts from scratch.
• These taquitos can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
• Gluten-free tortillas can be substituted to make this recipe gluten-free.

Keywords: Jalapeño Popper Chicken, Taquitos, Spicy Chicken Taquitos, Mexican Appetizer, Baked Taquitos, Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos