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Taquitos: Leftover Chicken Taquitos Recipe You’ll Love!

Hey there, foodies! Looking for a delicious way to reinvent your leftovers? Say hello to Leftover Chicken Taquitos! These crispy, cheesy, flavour-packed bites are the perfect way to breathe new life into your leftover roast chicken. Plus, they’re quick, easy, and incredibly versatile! Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, a fun dinner idea, or an appetizer to wow your guests, taquitos are always a hit. 🌮💃

Taquitos served on plate

Why You’ll Love Taquitos

Taquitos are little rolled-up tortillas filled with all kinds of yummy stuff—shredded chicken, cheese, and veggies in this case—and then crisped up to golden perfection. Whether you’re dipping them in salsa or sour cream, taquitos are super satisfying and a great way to use up ingredients you already have on hand.

What makes these so special? They’re cooked in an air fryer, giving you all the crispy goodness without the extra oil. It’s healthy, quick, and so much easier to clean up! 🧼 Let’s dive into how to make the best Leftover Chicken Taquitos that will have your family asking for seconds (or thirds!).

Tips and Tricks 🌮✨

  1. Shredded Chicken: Whether it’s leftover roast chicken, store-bought rotisserie, or even grilled chicken from last night’s dinner, shredded chicken is ideal for this recipe. If your chicken is a bit dry, mix it with a little chicken stock or sour cream before adding it to the tortillas.
  2. Cheese: A good melting cheese is key. Try using cheddar, mozzarella, or a Mexican cheese blend for extra flavour. You want that ooey-gooey texture to complement the crispy tortilla shell. 🧀
  3. The Tortillas: Corn tortillas give taquitos their signature taste, but if you prefer flour tortillas, they work just as well. Pro tip: warm the tortillas in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to make them easier to roll without cracking.
  4. Customise the Filling: Feel free to get creative with your fillings! In this recipe, I’ve added coleslaw mix and corn, but you can throw in anything from capsicum to black beans or even a handful of spinach. The options are endless!
  5. Air Fryer: For the crispiest taquitos, use an air fryer and don’t forget to spray them with a light coat of olive oil cooking spray before cooking. This gives them that perfect crunch without needing a deep fryer. Cook them at 200°C for about 6 minutes, flipping them halfway through. ⏲️

What to Serve with Taquitos

These are great on their own, but they truly shine when paired with some tasty sides and dips. Here’s what I suggest:

  • Salsa: Tangy and fresh, salsa is a must-have with these. 🍅🌶️
  • Guacamole: The creamy richness of guacamole balances out the crunch perfectly. 🥑
  • Sour Cream: A dollop of sour cream adds a cooling contrast to the slight heat from the pickled jalapeños.
  • Mexican Rice or Black Beans: If you’re making a meal out of these, a side of Mexican rice or black beans will fill the plate and satisfy your hunger.

Want something lighter? Pair them with a crisp green salad for a refreshing, balanced meal. 🥗

Take It to the Next Level 🌶️

One of the best things about these is how adaptable they are. Here are a few ideas to make your taquitos even more exciting:

  • Spice it Up: Add a little more heat by mixing in sriracha or chilli powder into your filling.
  • Make it Veggie: Skip the chicken and load up with beans, mushrooms, or grilled veggies for a vegetarian version. 🌱
  • Cheesy Goodness: Top them with extra cheese before baking or air frying for a gooey, melty finish.
  • Saucy Additions: Drizzle your finished taquitos with queso or dip them into chipotle mayo for a flavour boost.

Similar Recipes

Looking for more delicious recipes to try? Check out some of my other favourites:

 

No matter how you make them, they are endlessly customisable to suit your cravings and pantry staples. Don’t forget to snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @steph_cooks_stuff – I’d love to see how you make these crispy bites your own! 📸

They’re simple, satisfying, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re whipping them up for dinner, a snack, or even a game-day treat, I guarantee they’ll become a household favourite.

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Taquitos served on plate

Taquitos


Description

Hey there, foodies! 😋🍽️ Looking for a tasty and easy recipe to use up your leftover roast chicken? Try these Leftover Taquitos recipe! 🌮🌮🌮 It’s super simple and you can even use frozen or tinned corn to save time. Plus, you can customise it with your favorite veggies and add some pickled jalapeños for a spicy kick. Don’t forget to serve it with salsa! 🍅🌶️

 


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup shredded roast chicken
  • 1/2 cup raw coleslaw or grated vegetables (such as carrots and cabbage)
  • 1 cup frozen or tinned corn
  • 1/4 cup diced pickled jalapeños (optional)
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 15 small tortillas
  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • Salsa for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded roast chicken, raw coleslaw or grated vegetables, corn, diced pickled jalapeños (if using), sour cream, and shredded cheese.
  2. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
  3. Place a small amount of the filling mixture onto a tortilla and roll up tightly.
  4. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling mixture.
  5. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
  6. Spray the taquitos with olive oil cooking spray, making sure to coat them evenly.
  7. Place the taquitos in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
  8. Air fry the taquitos for 6 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time.
  9. Once the taquitos are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
  10. Serve the taquitos with salsa for dipping.

Enjoy your delicious Leftover Taquitos!

Equipment

  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 12
  • Category: Recipes
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Australian

Frequently Asked Questions