If you are craving a spicy, creamy, and irresistibly crispy snack to impress your friends or satisfy your own taste buds, this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe is an absolute game changer. It blends the bold flavors of buffalo sauce and jalapeños with the rich smoothness of cream cheese, all wrapped up in crunchy flour tortillas. These taquitos are perfect for game day, casual dinners, or any time you want a burst of comfort food with a fiery twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe plays a vital role in delivering the perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and texture. From the tender shredded chicken to the tangy buffalo sauce and spicy jalapeños, these essentials come together to create an unforgettable flavor explosion.
- Shredded cooked chicken: The hearty protein base that carries all the delicious flavors.
- Buffalo sauce: Adds that signature spicy, tangy kick that makes buffalo dishes so addicting.
- Cream cheese: Provides creamy richness that tempers the heat and binds the filling.
- Sour cream: Boosts the creaminess and cools down the spice slightly for balance.
- Pickled jalapeños: Offers sharp, zesty heat with a touch of acidity for brightness.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle depth and warmth to the seasoning.
- Onion powder: Enhances the savory flavors without overpowering.
- Smoked paprika: Brings a smoky nuance that elevates the overall taste.
- Ground cumin: Adds an earthy undertone that complements the spices beautifully.
- Salt: Essential for balancing and enhancing every ingredient’s flavor.
- Small flour tortillas: The perfect soft wrapper that crisps up nicely when baked.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into gooey pockets of sharpness inside each taquito.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Adds stretchiness and mellow flavor for richness.
- Olive oil spray or brush: Helps the taquitos turn delightfully golden and crispy.
How to Make Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by setting your oven to 425°F (220°C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures your taquitos cook evenly and don’t stick.
Step 2: Mix the Chicken Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken with buffalo sauce, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and chopped pickled jalapeños. Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and salt until everything is blended into a creamy, spicy filling bursting with flavor.
Step 3: Assemble the Taquitos
Lay out one of the small flour tortillas on a flat surface. Spoon 2 to 3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture down its center. Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese on top for an amazing melty surprise. Roll the tortilla up tightly around the filling and place it seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet. Repeat with all remaining tortillas and filling.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Lightly spray or brush the rolled taquitos with olive oil to help them crisp up beautifully. Bake in your preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they become golden brown and irresistibly crunchy on the outside. That crackly texture combined with the creamy spicy inside is what makes this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe so special.
Step 5: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Once baked to perfection, serve your taquitos while they’re still warm for the best texture and flavor. These little rolls of joy are guaranteed to disappear fast!
How to Serve Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your taquitos, top them with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing, a sprinkling of fresh chopped cilantro, or even a dollop of cooling guacamole. These garnishes add a fresh, cool contrast to the spicy heat and creamy filling.
Side Dishes
Pair your taquitos with a crunchy side salad, celery sticks, or classic tortilla chips and salsa. These sides balance the bold flavors while adding texture variety. A simple bowl of creamy coleslaw or black bean corn salad also complements the spicy richness perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd-pleasing appetizer, cut the taquitos in half and serve upright in a festive platter with small bowls of dips surrounding them. You can also stuff these taquitos into mini taco shells for a fun twist or create a layered dip inspired by your filling for a deconstructed experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any taquitos left over, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days, making for a quick snack or meal anytime you want.
Freezing
This Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe freezes beautifully. Arrange the rolled taquitos on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing their flavor or texture.
Reheating
To reheat, bake frozen taquitos straight from the freezer in a 375°F oven for about 15 minutes until heated through and crispy again. If refrigerated, warming them for 10 minutes will bring back their just-baked goodness.
FAQs
Can I make these taquitos gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap the flour tortillas for your favorite gluten-free tortillas, and you’re good to go without compromising the deliciousness.
How spicy are these Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe?
They have a moderate heat level thanks to the buffalo sauce and pickled jalapeños. You can adjust the amount of jalapeños or buffalo sauce to make it milder or hotter based on your preference.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Yes! Using rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut that adds great flavor and saves prep time. Just shred it well before mixing with the filling ingredients.
Is it possible to cook these taquitos in an air fryer?
Definitely. Place the rolled taquitos seam-side down in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp.
What dips go best with these taquitos?
Ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, extra buffalo sauce, or even a creamy avocado dip all pair wonderfully with the spicy, cheesy filling of these taquitos.
Final Thoughts
If you adore dishes that combine creamy, spicy, and crispy elements, this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe is destined to become one of your favorites. It’s straightforward to prepare, highly customizable, and incredibly satisfying. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a flavor-packed snack that’s perfect any day of the week!
Print
Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 taquitos (serves 8)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Jalapeño Cream Cheese Buffalo Chicken Taquitos are a flavorful and crispy appetizer or snack perfect for game day or any casual gathering. Shredded chicken is mixed with spicy buffalo sauce, creamy cheeses, and pickled jalapeños, then wrapped in small flour tortillas and baked until golden and crispy. Serve warm with ranch or extra buffalo sauce for a deliciously addictive treat.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp salt
Assembly
- 8–10 small flour tortillas
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Olive oil spray or brush
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Mix Chicken Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, softened cream cheese, sour cream, chopped pickled jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated into a creamy, spicy mixture.
- Assemble Taquitos: Lay a flour tortilla flat on your workspace. Spoon about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken mixture down the center of the tortilla. Sprinkle some shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese over the filling. Roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, securing the seam side down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling.
- Bake: Lightly spray or brush the assembled taquitos with olive oil to help them crisp up in the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the taquitos turn golden brown and crispy on the outside.
- Serve: Remove the taquitos from the oven and let them cool slightly. Serve warm with your choice of dipping sauces such as ranch dressing or additional buffalo sauce for extra heat.
Notes
- You can use cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños based on your heat preference.
- For extra crispiness, turn the taquitos halfway through baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crisp texture.
