When I started my blog three years ago, I wanted to not only share traditional Southern recipes but also share quick and easy recipes with busy moms. I am a working mom and I fully understand how hard it is to work and care for your family. I truly think that combining a few fresh ingredients with a store brought chicken for example can make putting dinner on the table on weeknights so much easier. My chicken taquito recipe can be a go to recipe for a quick meal and it so also kid friendly. My 5 year old loves these! They are perfect for kids because you can eat them with your hands! No knife and fork needed.
If you haven't had a taquito, they are a Mexican food dish that typically consists of a small rolled up tortilla that contains filling, including beef, cheese or chicken. The filled tortilla is then either pan fried or deep fried and topped with sour cream or guacamole. I normally top mine with queso fresco cheese, cilantro and serve with pico de gallo.
In order to make these taquitos in less than thirty minutes, you will need a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. I normally get mine from Costco because their chicken is so flavorful and juicy. I only used both chicken breasts in this recipe and I had more than enough chicken for my taquitos. I also make my own Taco Seasoning and store it in an seasoning jar and anytime I am making Mexican food I whip it out and season my food. Below is the recipe for the homemade seasoning.
Ingredients for Homemade Taco Seasoning
2 tablespoons of chili powder
2 teaspoons of ground cumin
2 teaspoons of garlic powder
2 teaspoons of paprika
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
Whisk until combined.
*This recipe makes more than you need for the tacos. Store in an air tight container for future use. *
Ingredients for Chicken Taquitos
1 rotesserie chicken ( I only used two of the chicken breasts)
1 can of green chiles
1 tablespoon of minced garlic
1 tablespoon of homemade taco seasoning
1 bag of white corn tortillas
1 bag of Shredded Mexican Cheese
Queso Fresco
Pico de Galo
Oil for frying
Directions to make the Chicken Taquitos
On medium heat, saute minced garlic until fragrant.
Cut up two chicken breasts or the whole chicken if you are making for a crowd. You want to cut the chicken into small pieces. Add to the chicken to the skillet.
Add 1 tablespoon of the homemade taco seasoning
Add can of green chiles to the chicken mixture.
Heat a non-stick griddle over medium high heat. Cook tortillas for about 15 - 30 seconds on each side until soft and pliable
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of chicken mixture in a line at one end of the tortilla, top with Mexican cheese and tightly roll it up. Use a toothpick to secure
Heat oil in cast iron skillet on medium high heat. Fry the taquitos in small batches and remove toothpick when the first side is brown. Rotate them as they cook until they are golden brown on all sides.
Place on a paper towel lined plate to drain
Sprinkle Queso Fresco cheese on top and garnish with cilantro and serve with pico de gallo, sour cream and/or guacamole.