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Switching up taco night with these baked Crispy Chicken Tinga Taquitos with Salty Lime Avocado Crema….plus all the toppings. Because extra sauce and extra salsa make everything better. Ground chicken seasoned with smoky chipotle peppers and pantry friendly enchilada sauce is mixed with cheese, rolled up in tortillas, and oven-baked. These taquitos are crunchy on the outside, but spicy and cheesy inside. Serve with a creamy, salty lime avocado crema sauce, and a mix of your favorite taco toppings. These come together in minutes and are so delicious…the perfect weeknight dinner.
Taquito Wednesday anyone? I know it’s not a thing, but maybe we should make it one. Because I’m overly excited to share this easy recipe with you guys. These taquitos are so good, they’re the kind of food you could eat once a week…at least.
I’ve told the story many times before, so I will not repeat it. Most of you know I grew up eating tacos once or twice a week. My brothers and I loved them as kids and still do to this day, but then, who doesn’t love tacos? They’re fun, typically cheesy, served with plenty of sauces and salsas, and all-around delicious. Love me a good taco!
But you know? Sometimes it’s nice to switch things up, do something just a little different. Different like instead of usual tacos, make crispy baked taquitos, which might just be better. It just depends on the filling. But hey, one thing’s for sure…taquito is a pretty fun word to say. Yep, cheesy, but kind of brightens my mood a bit.
Sooo, let’s make some taquitos!
The idea…
The idea for these Crispy Chicken Tinga Taquitos came from two sources. Source one, very old, very retired HBH blog content from all the way back in October of 2012. Our very first year of HBH! I shared a taquito recipe and it’s crazy to believe that I have not made taquitos since. When I randomly came across the post, I immediately thought how fun it would be to make newly updated taquitos.
PS. if you have an extra minute and want to take a look and see just how horrible our photos (and writing for that matter) were that first year, scroll through this post. Fun to see our growth!
Source two, my eldest brother…of course. Creighton has been inspiring a lot of recipes these days. His love for anything Mexican with double…scratch that…triple the sauce has been helping me come up with some fun recipes lately. Love having so many family members to inspire new recipes. Don’t know what I’d do without them.
Now, onto the details.
Pick up some ground chicken, turkey, or even ground beef. Just be sure to use what your family loves most, personally I like chicken, but my brothers are all about ground beef.
Brown the meat, add chipotle peppers plus a little red enchilada sauce. The peppers and sauce are KEY. Chicken tinga is made using canned chipotle peppers. They have a smoky, slightly spicy flavor. I love to use them whenever I have the opportunity. The enchilada sauce keeps the meat saucy, flavorful, and prevents the meat from drying out in the oven.
Added bonus? I always have these two ingredients in my pantry!
The next step is crucial…
Ok, that’s way too dramatic, but just go with me on this.
Once the meat is browned and seasoned it’s time to make the actual taquitos themselves. Instead of frying, which is traditional, I much prefer to oven bake. It’s healthier, easier, and to be honest, I like the flavor so much better. You taste the food, not the fried oil.
Here’s the key, you must rub each tortilla with olive oil before rolling up the meat. This is the trick to getting the taquitos crispy all around. Once the tortillas are oiled, roll up the meat and cheese inside. Then oven bake, and ten or so minutes later you’ll have crispy taquitos.
That salty lime avocado crema? Yep, you need that too.
Sure, sour cream is traditional, but whipped avocado crema is just so much better. I used fresh cilantro and plenty of lime and stirred in some pickled jalapeños for a spicy, tangy kick. This is the perfect sauce to dollop onto each cheesy, crunchy taquito.
I like to serve these up alongside sweet pineapple salsa or mango salsa, shredded lettuce, and plenty of fresh limes for squeezing. You can never have too many toppings.
And lastly? I see these taquitos as the perfect reason to make a random Wednesday night spicy margarita. Yep, it’s a good idea.
Watch the How To Video:
Looking for other Mexican night recipes? Try these!
One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake
Sheet Pan Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Creamy Jalapeño Special Sauce
Lastly, if you make these crispy chicken tinga taquitos with salt lime avocado crema, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Crispy Chicken Tinga Taquitos with Lime Avocado Crema
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 591 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for rubbing
- 1 pound ground chicken, beef, or turkey
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo finely chopped, use to your taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup red enchilada sauce homemade or store-bought
- 16-20 corn tortillas warmed
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
- pineapple salsa, shredded lettuce, and pickled onion, for serving
Lime Avocado Crema
- 1 avocado, halved
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños
- juice from 2 limes
- kosher or flaky salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the ground chicken and onion. Cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, until the chicken is browned, about 5 minutes. Add the chipotle peppers, oregano, and salt. Add the enchilada sauce and 1/4 cup water. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the sauce has thickened slightly around the chicken, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat.3. Warm the tortillas for 30 seconds to 1 minute in the microwave, until pliable. On a baking sheet, rub the tortillas with olive oil. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the chicken down the middle of the tortilla. Add a sprinkle of cheese, then roll up and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Transfer to the oven and bake for 5-8 minutes, then flip and cook another 5 minutes more, or until the cheese has melted and the tortillas are crisp. 4. Meanwhile, make the Lime Avocado Crema. Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt. 5. Serve the taquitos topped with avocado, pineapple salsa, and any other desired toppings.
These are SOOOOO good!! My 5 and 7 year old love them!! We make a double batch or triple batch! We freeze what we don’t cook that night and then for the rest of the week (or longer if they last) we take out how many we want for dinner and bake them up fresh!! So so yummy!
Oh! And I have found that white corn tortillas roll up super easy!! And don’t fall apart!
Thanks for the tip!!
Hey Ali,
Fantastic! I am delighted to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Hi! Do you would you explain how you freeze them? At what point in the process do you take them before freezing?
And then how do you handle cooking them from frozen?
Anyone got a good suggestion for a brand of tortillas that doesn’t fall apart? I’ve tried two so far and am not having luck getting my presentation like the photos
Hey Curtis,
I like to use Whole Foods 365 brand. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
the flavors were great, but I struggled with the tortillas…..they broke and wouldn’t stay rolled up. I just went with it and baked them anyway. They got crispy on the top but I wasn’t able to flip them because they were falling apart. Maybe I didn’t use enough oil on them? Oh well. It was messy, but yummy!!
Hey Christine,
I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for giving it a try! So sorry to hear about your tortillas, yes the oil is key, it also could be the brand, I like to use Whole Foods 365 brand. Happy Sunday! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I tried making my own filling and then using your method for baking the taquitos and they just aren’t coming out as crunchy as yours seem. I’ve tried raising the temp, leaving them in extra long, and still not coming out quite right. Any tips/advice?
Hey Amanda,
Are you using corn tortillas and coating them in olive oil? I find this is key for crispiness. If so, I would try another brand of tortillas, I like Whole Foods 365 brand. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
I made this tonight and it turned out amazing. A hit for my husband and picky eater kids! I even minced up some of the filling for my toddler and he was licking his fingers.
Hey Stephanie,
Thanks so much! I am so glad the recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! xTieghan
My taquitos opened after i turned them for the last 5mn cooking. Any tips for next time?
Hey Maggie,
So sorry to hear this, you could try using toothpicks to hold them together next time! xTieghan
Hi! I love all your recipes! I tried to make this but the corn tortillas kept breaking apart. I followed the instructions but none of them stayed.. even while rolling them, they just fell apart. Then they broke even more in the oven. What am I doing wrong?
Hey Kayla,
So sorry you are having issues with the tortillas. I would try a different brand of tortillas, I really like Whole Foods 365. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
What corn tortillas did you use? When I made it the corn tortillas broke open – even after microwaving.
Hey Stina,
I use Whole Foods 365 brand. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
I just accidentally put the whole can of chipotle peppers in… ooops. Hopefully it turns out!
Oops! Let me know how it turns out Stacey! xTieghan
These were so yummy! And the dipping sauce was a really great addition. My husband eats dairy free and commented on how its texture was so creamy without having sour cream in it. Thanks for another great recipe!
Hey Amanda,
Awesome! I am thrilled that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
I am trying to make freezer meals for a friend who is a single mother having hip replacement surgery and was curious if these could be made ahead of time and frozen (the crema as well) ?? Or would it not freeze well ?
Hey Anna,
I would assemble and freeze before baking. I would make a seperate container of the crema on the side. I hope this helps! xTieghan
Made these tonight, love that the recipe was easy to follow and make. A new family favorite. We have enjoyed all the recipes we have tried so far ?
Hey Binita,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
Just made these today! DELICIOUS!! ?
Hey Ritz,
I am thrilled you enjoyed this recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
Currently making these, they smell delicious! Despite warming and piling the tortillas, they just broke and crumbled when rolling any suggestions to avoid that? Thanks!
Hey Becky,
So sorry to hear this! What kind of tortillas did you use? I like the Whole Foods 365 brand. xTieghan
Made these and the flavor is awesome! But my tortillas split and they didn’t get super crispy like your photos. What did I do wrong? Oiled both sides and oven temp was all correct. Not enough oil? Too much?
Hey Jessica,
So sorry you had issues with the tortillas! Next time, I would try a different brand, I really love Whole Foods 365. Let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan