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Switching up taco night with these baked Crispy Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos. Shredded chicken, tossed with spicy and tangy pickled jalapeños, creamy cream cheese, and buffalo sauce. Roll the delicious mix up in tortillas, then oven-bake until warm and crispy. These taquitos are crunchy on the outside and spicy and cheesy inside. Serve with a creamy cilantro-ranch and additional buffalo sauce. These come together in minutes and are so delicious…the perfect weeknight dinner.
Some recipes are made with certain people in mind. Others I make just because something inspired me and I’m excited to try it out. Then some recipes I make knowing they’re going to be a universal favorite with everyone.
Taquitos are a universal favorite with everyone. First off, they’re just fun. Finger food is low-key and relaxed. Something about it makes enjoying them fun for all. But most importantly, taquitos are just pretty delicious. Crispy on the outside with a cheesy filling inside. They’re usually paired with multiple sauces, which you know we all love in this family.
My first taquito was years and years ago. In fact, I think it was the second or third recipe I ever shared. So about ten years ago.
Then I made these Tinga Taquitosv and ever since I’ve really enjoyed swapping out taco night for taquito night.
Onto the details
Pick up some chicken at the store. It can even be rotisserie-style chicken, as this recipe calls for pre-cooked, shredded chicken.
Of course, you can also cook up some chicken breasts and then shred them. I usually just make my own chicken. I simply sear it in a skillet with smoked paprika and onion powder and then shred the meat. Either option is great, so do what you have time for.
The filling is simple but different. Because its base is cream cheese and jalapeños I didn’t want to do just buffalo sauce, as I sometimes do. I wanted to add a creamy tangy factor too.
So I mixed the chicken with cream cheese, jalapeños, and pickled jalapeños for the very best flavor.
To make the taquitos
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 actually taste the food, not the fried oil.
Here’s the key, you need to 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. Ten or so minutes later you’ll have crispy taquitos.
The sauces
For dipping and drizzling, I did homemade ranch and buffalo sauce. For my buffalo sauce, I like to use Franks Red Hot mixed with either butter or olive oil and a little bit of seasoned salt. I then add plenty of black pepper too.
For the ranch, I love to use a mix of yogurt, sour cream, and buttermilk for my base. If you want your ranch even creamier, you can add a couple of tablespoons of mayo. Next, add in fresh cilantro, parsley, and dill, then season with salt and pepper. I like to make mine on the thinner side so I can easily drizzle it over the taquitos.
Everything paired together…the crispy taquitos with the creamy chicken and cheese inside, then both a tangy sauce and a spicy buttery sauce…are key.
So many flavors and great textures. As I said above these are pretty hard not to love. And they make any random night of the week feel fun and exciting too!
Looking for other Mexican night recipes? Try these!
One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake
Crockpot Crispy Chicken Tinga Tacos with Avocado Jalapeño Crema
Jalapeño Pineapple Shrimp Tacos with Cilantro Garlic Sauce
Lastly, if you make these Crispy Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos, 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!
Jalapeño Cream Cheese Chicken Taquitos with Buffalo Sauce
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 457 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 jalapeño, seeded if desired, and chopped
- 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/3 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack or cheddar cheese
- 16-20 corn tortillas, warmed
- olive oil, for rubbing
Cilantro Ranch
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. 2. In a bowl, combine the chicken, cream cheese, jalapeño, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, dill, and green onions. Stir in the cheese and buffalo sauce.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. Roll up and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for 5-8 minutes, then flip and cook another 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the tortillas are crisp.4. Meanwhile, make the ranch. Combine all ingredients in a bowl (or use a blender) and mix until creamy. Season with salt.5. Serve the taquitos topped with buffalo sauce, ranch, and any other desired toppings.
Notes
Buffalo Sauce: Mix 3/4 hot sauce, 1/2 cup olive oil or melted butter, 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt, and pepper.
We thought these were good, and they turned out relatively crispy, although they didn’t look like yours in the pictures. I couldn’t figure out if I was supposed to put oil just on the inside of the tortillas (which it sounded like but didn’t really make sense for the crispiness), just on the outside or both the inside and outside of the tortillas (so I ended up oiling the outsides with a bit on the inside). Anyway, I’ll be making these again and next time I might not seed the jalapenos for some extra heat.
Also wondering this same thing. Do we oil the outside of the tortilla, inside, or both? I want to make these but want to find out first.
I like to do both sides:)
Hey Helen,
Wonderful!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! I like to oil both sides:) ?xTieghan
I made these based on the video and they never got very crunchy. I even left them in the oven longer than the recipe. Afterwards, I see that the recipe says oil the tortillas. Not sure if that means inside or all over? I just drizzled like the video showed (I’m a visual learner).
Hey there,
Thanks for giving the recipe a try, sorry to hear about your tortillas. I do like to oil them on both sides! I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan
Hi 🙂
Three questions:
How do you prepare the chicken to be shredded ? Seasoned?
What hot sauce do you use to make the buffalo sauce?
What can I use instead of buttermilk since I can’t buy it in Portugal?
Thank for the amazing recipes you share with us ?
Hey Alexandra,
You can prepare the chicken to your liking, roasting in the oven with salt and pepper is great. You could also make it super easy and just use a rotisserie chicken. I like to use Frank’s hot sauce. You can use whole milk in place of the buttermilk. Please let me know how the recipe turns out! xTieghan
Great recipe, and easy to make. I used only half of a chopped jalapeño and left out the pickled jalapeño. I used flour tortillas and misted just the outside of each flouts before putting them in the oven. I also cut each tortilla in half to make them more finger food for a gathering. They were a hit, and they did not split.
Hi Linda,
Happy Wednesday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! xx
Thank you, thank you Tieghan!! These were so delicious with the perfect amount of heat. The Cilantro Ranch cooled the tongue and added even more flavor. My husband ate 11 of them! Definitely a new staple on our rotation. So excited for the book, you’re the bestest! 🙂
Hey there,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Omg these are delicious ! My kids devoured them !! The flavor is delish! Thanks !
Hey Noreen,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
I made these tonight and they were amazing! Whole family loved them:) Thanks for a great family dinner idea!
Hey Katie,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Sooo good! Thank you!
Hey Dagmar,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Has anyone made these in the air fryer vs the oven?
Hey Michelle,
I bet the air fryer would work well for you. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Thanks for yet another great recipe Tieghan! I made these last night, but left out the pickled jalapeños since I’m not a fan of those and the cilantro since I didn’t have any. All the herbs I used were dry and were still delicious! In the past, I haven’t been a fan of buffalo sauce but wanted to give these a try since the cream cheese and other ingredients mellow it out. I might try a variation of these next time. Awesome recipe 🙂
Hey there,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
Delicious! I made these tonight. I used to eat frozen taquitos in university and loved them…so it was much nicer to experience these!! 5 stars!!
Hi Erika,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have the best week:) xT
Delicious! A keeper for sure!
Hey Laurie,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have the best week:) xT
I was so excited I forgot the 5 stars… should be 10!
Hey Stephanie,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have the best week:) xT
Tieghan! These are SO good! I made the buffalo sauce with butter and Crystal hot sauce and my husband said it was liquid gold! He’s been way more impressed with my cooking since I started making your recipes AND he’s started helping… win win! Thank you 🙂
Hey Stephanie,
Awesome!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a go! Have the best week:) xT
My 15 year old son made these for us tonight. They were delicious! He says they are “bussin bussin!”
We love all your recipes and try new ones every week
Hey Juleen,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for making it!! ? xx