Crispy Fried Chicken Taquitos with Salsa and Cotija Cheese

These crispy fried chicken taquitos are the ultimate comfort food. Stuffed with seasoned shredded chicken and melted Mexican cheese, then fried until golden and crunchy, they offer a perfect contrast of textures. Served alongside a fresh romaine salad with diced tomatoes and topped with tangy salsa, cool sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese, every bite is a fiesta of flavors.

This recipe is simple to follow and uses everyday ingredients to create a restaurant-quality meal at home. Whether you’re cooking for family or friends, these taquitos are sure to impress. Serve them as a main dish or appetizer-they’re always a hit!

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Ingredients

3 tablespoon Sour CreamView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit Baby LettuceView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1.5 ounce Southwest DressingView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Cotija CheeseView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

4 ounce Fresh Red SalsaView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 tablespoon Fajita Spice BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

1 unit TomatoView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

6 unit Flour TortillasView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

12 ounce Organic Chicken CutletsView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

0.5 cup Mexican Cheese BlendView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

2 tablespoon (tbsp) Cooking OilView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) SaltView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

teaspoon (tsp) Black PepperView ingredient guideLike ingredientDislike ingredient

Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season all over with half the Fajita Spice Blend, salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. If the chicken is browning too quickly, reduce the heat and cover with a lid. Once done, transfer the chicken to a medium bowl and set aside. Wash and dry the pan for later use.
2. Wash and dry the produce. Trim and discard the root end from the lettuce, then chop the leaves into bite-size pieces. Dice the tomato into ½-inch pieces. Using your fingers, crumble the cotija cheese into small pieces.
3. Using two forks, shred the chicken into bite-size pieces. Stir in the Mexican cheese blend and the remaining Fajita Spice Blend until thoroughly combined.
4. Place the tortillas on a clean work surface. Using a fork, poke a few holes in each tortilla. Divide the shredded chicken filling among the tortillas, placing it on one half of each. Tightly roll the tortillas and place them seam-side down. If desired, secure the taquitos with toothpicks.
5. Heat a ⅓-inch layer of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, working one at a time with tongs, add the taquitos seam-side down, gently pressing for a few seconds to help them stay rolled (no need to press if using toothpicks). Fry the taquitos, working in batches if necessary, turning occasionally, until browned and crispy all over, about 1-3 minutes. Remove the taquitos from the pan, allowing excess oil to drip off and place them on a paper-towel-lined plate. If using toothpicks, remove them after frying.
6. Wash and dry the bowl used for shredding the chicken. Add the lettuce, tomato, southwest dressing, salt and pepper; toss until evenly dressed. Divide the taquitos and salad between plates. Top the taquitos with salsa, sour cream and crumbled cotija cheese. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

FAQ

Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour?

Yes, you can substitute corn tortillas, but they may be more prone to cracking. Warm them slightly before rolling to make them more pliable.

How do I store leftover taquitos?

Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to restore crispiness.

Can I bake these taquitos instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crispy. Brush with oil for best results.