juliecanderson3 Some nights, you just need something that feels like comfort food — but without the guilt. That’s where these Healthy Chicken Taquitos come in. Crispy, cheesy, full of flavor, and baked (or air-fried!) instead of fried, they’re the perfect weeknight dinner for busy families. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly, so you can prep ahead and have a wholesome meal ready to go in minutes.
If you’ve ever reached for frozen taquitos at the store, you’ll be shocked at how easy (and healthier!) it is to make them from scratch at home. Get your kids to help you roll them up for some family fun.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthier than takeout – baked or air-fried, not deep fried.
- Kid-approved comfort food – crispy, cheesy, and full of flavor.
- Quick and easy – ready in about 30 minutes.
- Perfect for meal prep – freeze before or after baking.
- High-protein dinner – lean chicken + cheesy filling = satisfying.
If you have already seasoned leftover chicken or another type of protein. Sometimes I use that, and add some cheese and roll them up, spray and sprinkle kosher salt, and call it a day. When I am getting fancy, I will make this recipe by the book. 🙂
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
- 10–12 tortillas (warmed for rolling)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (pepperjack or your other favorite)
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Avocado spray, for crispness
👉 Optional Add-Ins: black beans, baby spinach, sautéed peppers, or even Greek yogurt mixed into the filling for extra creaminess.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Taquitos
- Preheat oven or air fryer – 425°F for both methods.
- Mix filling – In a bowl, combine shredded chicken, cheese, salsa, and spices.
- Warm tortillas – Wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave for 30–40 seconds to prevent tearing.
- Roll taquitos – Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of filling into each tortilla, roll tightly, and place seam-side down on a baking sheet or air fryer basket.
- Crisp them up – Spray lightly with olive oil.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve – With your favorite toppings and dips.
Tips & Variations
- Extra crispy tip: Place taquitos seam-side down and don’t overcrowd the pan.
- Make it spicier: Add diced jalapeños or extra chili powder.
- Cheese lovers: Sprinkle extra cheese on top before baking.
- Freezer hack: Roll taquitos, freeze on a tray, then store in a zip-top bag. Bake straight from frozen (just add a few extra minutes).
What to Serve With Chicken Taquitos
Pair these taquitos with:
- Fresh guacamole 🥑
- Salsa or pico de gallo
- Greek yogurt or light sour cream
- Mexican rice or black beans
- A simple side salad for extra greens
Storage & Meal Prep
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze rolled taquitos (unbaked) up to 3 months, then bake straight from frozen.
- Reheat: For best crispness, reheat in oven or air fryer.
A Healthy Twist on Family Comfort Food
These Healthy Chicken Taquitos prove that weeknight dinners don’t have to be boring — or complicated. They’re quick, crispy, and filled with protein to keep the whole family satisfied.
💡 Save this recipe for your next busy night, and don’t forget: if you make these taquitos, tag me on Instagram @sweetswithjules so I can see your creation. And be sure to pin this recipe on Pinterest for later!
Creamy Chicken Taquitos
Equipment
- 1 Cookie Sheet
- Silicone Mat
Ingredients
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup green salsa
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp sliced green onion
- 2 cup shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup grated pepperjack cheese
- 1 pkg carb balance tortillas
- kosher salt
- avocado cooking spray
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees F. Line baking sheet with silicone mat.
- Mix cream cheese, green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onion, Add chicken and cheese and combine well.
- Heat up a few tortillas at a time in the microwave (put between damp paper towels) for 20-30 seconds.
- Place 2-3 tbsp of chicken mixture on lower third of each tortilla. Roll up as tight as you can and place seam side down on the baking sheet. Make sure tortillas don't touch for extra crispy taquitos.
- Lightly spray with the avocado cooking spray and then sprinkle with kosher salt. (Do not skip this, this makes them taste SOOO GOOD)
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and ends are brown.
So easy!
yummy!