Chicken Taquitos (Crispy Mexican-Style)

Chicken taquitos are a beloved street-style dish in Mexican cuisine, known for their crisp exterior and savory, well-seasoned filling.  Traditionally, taquitos are made with chicken breast simmered gently with aromatics, such as onion, cumin, and other spices, then shredded and lightly sautéed before being rolled into corn tortillas and fried until golden.

For busy home cooking, this version uses store-bought grilled chicken, which delivers great flavor and saves time. To keep the seasoning bold and balanced, Picante sauce is used—it already carries the warmth of garlic and chili with just the right level of heat.  The result is a dish that feels authentic in taste, yet simple enough to prepare on a weeknight.

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Ingredients:

• 3 cups shredded grilled chicken
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican-style cheese (Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, or a Mexican blend)
• 1 1/2 cups Picante sauce
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 12 corn tortillas 6x6 inches
• Oil for frying

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Directions:

1.  Preparing the filling:
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken and Pi like inch and 30 of the guard is explicit cante sauce.  Stir well and cook for 3–5 minutes, until the mixture is heated through and slightly thickened.  Season lightly with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

2.  Assembling the taquitos:
Warm the tortillas briefly so they are pliable.  Place a small amount of chicken filling and a sprinkle of cheese along one edge of each tortilla. Roll tightly into a thin cylinder.

3.  Frying until crispy:
Heat enough oil in a pan to shallow fry. Place the taquitos seam-side down and fry in batches, turning as needed, until golden brown and crisp on all sides.

4.  Draining and Serving:
Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.  Serve hot.

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Serving Suggestions:

Serve chicken taquitos with:

• Guacamole or sliced avocado
• Sour cream or Mexican crema
• Fresh salsa or pico de gallo
• Shredded lettuce and a squeeze of lime

Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, these chicken taquitos are perfect as a snack, appetizer, or casual family meal.