Easy Chicken Taquitos (5-Ingredients)

Really, whatever works for you. You can toss some chicken into the crockpot, Instapot, or broil your own chicken and shred or chop it.
You can also save time by buying pre-cooked chicken.
I love picking up a freshly cooked rotisserie chicken and using that. They're so moist and flavorful and I also like putting the leftover bones to use.
Canned chicken great works too. If you've ever been like, "what could I possibly I do with canned chicken?" This recipe is honestly perfect.
You want the chicken to be shredded and spreadable so the texture of canned chicken works really well for these taquitos. Just drain the chicken, and follow the recipe. Couldn't get easier. ½ cup is equal to 4oz of chicken.
Choose what type of chicken works best for your lifestyle and your taste buds.

You can bake or air fry. Your choice.
If you have an air fryer, go ahead and use it! Directions are the same for oven or air fryer. However, you may need to add a few minutes to your bake time to get these extra crispy. Keep an eye on them if you're oven-baking and pull them when they look golden brown.
What I love about my air fryer (that also a toaster oven) is that you get wire baskets to cook things in. So all sides of your food get cooked evenly without having to flip anything over.
Don't have an air fryer yet but thinking about getting one? There are lots of options. You can get an air fryer that does just air frying. Or you can get a toaster oven that's also an air fryer, or you can even buy a full sized oven with an air fryer now.
Check out the options if you're curious. Shop Amazon for air fryers
Not interested in an air fryer? No worries. You can bake these chicken taquitos in the oven and still get a nice crisp. You don't have to flip them, but if you want to try and crisp them on both sides, go ahead and turn them over half way through baking.

What I love about these taquitos is that they are really good just on their own. They are a great little on-the-go meal because you can eat them in the car without a big mess if you have a busy evening.

However, if you have more time and want to make these into a family-style dinner, then try adding some toppings. Anything you'd put on a taco works.
My favorite toppings are: lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and hot sauce.
Try different toppings and see what you and your family like best.

Ideally you'll want to use flour tortillas. They just roll up better. Corn tortilla are more difficult to work with and they will crack when you attempt to roll them up because they are thick and pretty dry.
If you really prefer the taste of corn tortillas and are willing to do a little prep work, then here's what I would recommend: wrap each corn tortilla individually in a wet paper towel and warm each one up in the in the microwave for about 5-10 seconds before you fill and roll it up. Heat and moisture will help you roll the corn tortillas.
Be sure to place the rolled and filled taquitos seam-side down so that they don't unfurl before they cook.

There are so many sizes to choose from when it comes to tortillas! Why? I don't know!
Luckily, you can choose any size for this recipe. I typically make these taquitos with the medium sized flour tortillas.
However, you can use the small, medium or large sized tortillas, you'll just have to divide up the filling a bit differently. Cook time should be pretty similar but keep an eye on them as they cook. You'll know they are done when they are golden brown on the edges.

Yes! They are great for making in a big batch and freezing. I recommend freezing them before you bake or air fry them or add toppings.
So fill and roll them up, wrap in plastic (or try a reusable wax wrap) then freeze them.
Let them thaw to room temperature then bake or air fry as directed. Or you can bake them frozen and add a few extra minutes for them to thaw as they cook.

Yes, you can make chicken taquitos ahead of time for the week and keep them in the fridge to bake and eat later. Be sure to wrap them in plastic wrap tightly before storing.
Chicken taquitos keep well in the fridge for about 2-3 days but can get a touch soggy after awhile so you may need to add a minute or two of extra bake time if you see they aren't getting crispy with the normal bake time.
You can also freeze taquitos for up to 2 months. Freezing individual taquitos makes for a great grab-and-go lunch. They can be heated in the microwave if you don't have access to a toaster oven.

Aside from chicken, which works great, opt for lean ground beef or ground turkey instead. Using a lean meat prevents these from becoming greasy and soggy and it's healthier too.

Beans, corn, bell peppers, cream cheese, and/or rice can be used for a vegetarian option. Add taco seasoning just like you would to meat. If you want some of that unami flavor without using meat, try a combination or refried beans and black olives.