Ingredients
2 cups shredded cooked chicken for tender, protein-packed filling
1/2 cup buffalo sauce for signature spicy, tangy heat
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese for creamy goodness, balancing spice with sharpness
4 oz softened cream cheese for smooth richness to bind the filling and mellow the heat
12 small flour or corn tortillas for crispy exterior
2 tbsp oil or melted butter for brushing; promotes golden browning
1/2 inch oil for shallow frying to achieve deep-fried crunch
Instructions
1-First Step: Shred 2 cups cooked chicken into a large bowl. Rotisserie chicken works best for its flavor and tenderness, saving you cooking time. This mise en place keeps things smooth.
2-Second Step: Add 1/2 cup buffalo sauce, 1 cup shredded cheddar, and 4 oz softened cream cheese to the chicken. Mix thoroughly until creamy and evenly coated, about 2 minutes by hand or with a spoon. Taste and adjust sauce for spice level. Let sit 5 minutes for flavors to meld.
3-Third Step: Warm 12 small tortillas in the microwave, covered with a damp towel, for 20-30 seconds. This prevents cracking. Place 2-3 tablespoons filling at one end of each tortilla, roll tightly like a cigar, and secure with toothpicks if needed.
4-Fourth Step: Brush rolls lightly with 2 tbsp oil or melted butter. Arrange seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup.
5-Fifth Step – Oven Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos: Preheat oven to 425ยฐF. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy. This oven baked buffalo chicken taquitos method yields crunchy results with minimal oil.
6-Sixth Step – Air Fryer Option: Preheat air fryer to 400ยฐF. Place taquitos in a single layer, spritz with oil. Air fry 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. Great for air fryer buffalo chicken taquitos recipe, using 70% less oil.
7-Seventh Step – Frying Variation: Heat 1/2 inch oil to 350ยฐF in a skillet. Fry 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Drain on paper towels. Yields 12 homemade buffalo chicken taquitos.
8-Final Step: Remove toothpicks, serve hot with ranch, blue cheese dip, or celery sticks. Garnish with green onions. Total time: 35 minutes. Pairs well with iced tea from our blog recipes to cool the heat.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ฅ For extra crispy taquitos, spray with cooking oil instead of brushing and bake at 425ยฐF for the last 5 minutes
๐ Make these ahead by assembling and refrigerating for up to 24 hours before baking
๐ฅ Use leftover rotisserie chicken for a quick weeknight meal prep option
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 taquitos
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
