Ultimate Baked Buffalo Chicken Taquitos: Your New Go-To Recipe
Prepare to elevate your snack game with these incredibly delicious Buffalo Chicken Taquitos. Each taquito is generously filled with a simple yet irresistible buffalo chicken dip, baked until golden brown and perfectly crispy, then ready to be served with your favorite dipping sauces. Get ready for a delightful contrast: a satisfying crunch on the outside yielding to a warm, creamy, and flavorful filling on the inside. This recipe is guaranteed to satisfy your deepest taquito cravings and become a fast favorite in your kitchen.
To add a touch of freshness and vibrant color, we love to sprinkle a little fresh chopped cilantro and blue cheese crumbles over the finished taquitos. But don’t stop there – feel free to get creative! You can also garnish with diced tomatoes for a burst of sweetness, shredded lettuce for added texture, thinly sliced scallions for a mild oniony kick, or extra shredded cheese for even more cheesy goodness.
Why These Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Are a Must-Try
These oven-fried buffalo chicken taquitos are more than just a snack; they are a culinary triumph that ticks all the right boxes. They’re incredibly easy to prepare, bursting with cheesy goodness, and so wonderfully addicting you might find yourself reaching for another before you’ve finished the first! Their versatility makes them perfect for any occasion – equally suited as a crowd-pleasing game day appetizer or a satisfying main dish for a busy weeknight.
The heart of these taquitos lies in their filling, which is essentially a simplified, creamy buffalo chicken dip. The beauty of this recipe is how easily you can customize it to your personal preferences. Our base recipe utilizes a rich cream cheese and zesty ranch dressing, infused with the distinct flavor of blue cheese and the fiery kick of hot sauce. We then fold in tender shredded chicken and sharp cheddar cheese for a truly indulgent experience. If blue cheese isn’t your favorite, feel free to omit it entirely, or if you’re a true fan, don’t hesitate to add even more for an extra punch of flavor!
If you’re as passionate about chicken as we are, you’ll love exploring some of our other fantastic chicken recipes. Don’t miss our BBQ Chicken Taquitos for a smoky twist, our flavorful Green Chile Taquitos, and of course, the classic crowd-pleaser, our original Buffalo Chicken Dip. They’re all incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to make you everyone’s favorite chef!
And for those who can’t get enough of that amazing buffalo chicken flavor, be sure to check out these additional recipes. From crispy Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings to the comforting Buffalo Chicken Dip, and from our effortless Crockpot Buffalo Chicken to the hearty Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks, there’s a buffalo chicken creation for every craving.
Complementary Sides: What to Serve with Your Chicken Taquitos
While Buffalo Chicken Taquitos are fantastic on their own, pairing them with the right sides can transform them into a complete and unforgettable meal. Here are some delicious ideas that perfectly complement the flavors and textures of your taquitos:
- Easy Spanish Rice: A classic and comforting pairing that adds a hearty element.
- Green Chile Rice Bake: For an extra layer of cheesy, mildly spicy goodness that echoes the taquito flavors.
- Brazilian Cheese Balls: Light, airy, and cheesy, these offer a delightful textural contrast.
- Veggie Cups: A refreshing and healthy option to balance the richness of the taquitos.
- Fresh Guacamole: Creamy, cool, and zesty – the perfect counterpoint to spicy buffalo chicken.
- Homemade Ranch: A cooling and creamy staple that pairs wonderfully with buffalo flavors.
- Pico De Gallo: Bright, fresh, and chunky, offering a vibrant burst of flavor and texture.
Creating a spread with a few of these sides will make your taquitos party-ready or elevate your family dinner to a festive occasion.
Elevate Your Taquito Experience with These Dipping Sauce Ideas
The right dipping sauce can truly transform your Buffalo Chicken Taquitos from great to absolutely extraordinary. Since these taquitos are inspired by classic buffalo wings, it makes sense to pair them with similar delicious dips. Here are some fantastic taquito dipping sauce ideas to get you started:
- Blue Cheese Dressing or Crumbles: The classic pairing for buffalo spice, offering a tangy and savory creaminess.
- Creamy Ranch Dressing: A universally loved dip that provides a cool and herby contrast to the heat.
- Extra Hot Sauce: For the spice lovers who want to crank up the heat even more!
- Classic Buffalo Sauce: Reinforce that signature buffalo flavor with an extra coating of the good stuff.
- Fresh Guacamole: The creamy avocado provides a refreshing and rich dip that beautifully mellows the spice.
- Zesty Salsa Ranch: A delightful fusion of creamy ranch and vibrant salsa, offering a unique flavor profile.
- Warm Pepper Jack Queso: For an ultimate cheesy experience, this spicy cheese dip is simply divine.
- The Best Combo: Half Buffalo Sauce, Half Ranch! It’s a simple mix that creates an incredibly balanced and addictive dip – a true game-changer!
Experiment with these options to find your perfect dipping partner, ensuring every bite of your taquito is bursting with flavor.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
Crafting the perfect Buffalo Chicken Taquitos starts with high-quality ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Cream Cheese: This is the foundation of our creamy filling. It’s absolutely vital that your cream cheese is softened or at room temperature. This ensures it mixes seamlessly with the other ingredients, creating a smooth and luscious texture without any lumps.
- Ranch Dressing: Any brand or type of ranch dressing will work beautifully here, adding a tangy, herbaceous depth to the filling. Feel free to use your favorite bottled variety or even whip up some homemade ranch for an extra fresh flavor.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles: These add a distinctive pungent, salty flavor that is classic with buffalo dishes. If you’re not a fan of the texture, you could substitute with a tablespoon or two of blue cheese dressing. If blue cheese isn’t your thing at all, it can be skipped without completely compromising the flavor, though it is highly recommended for authenticity.
- Frank’s Red Hot Sauce: This is our preferred hot sauce for its iconic flavor balance of heat and tang. However, if you have another favorite brand that you love, feel free to use it. Adjust the amount to control the heat level to your liking.
- Shredded Chicken: The simplest and quickest solution is to use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, which shreds easily and is full of flavor. Alternatively, you can cook your own chicken breasts or thighs in the oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot, then shred them. Aim for about 3 cups of shredded chicken.
- Cheddar Cheese: Whether you opt for pre-shredded cheddar or shred your own from a block, any type of cheddar will taste fantastic in this recipe, adding a sharp, cheesy element that melts wonderfully.
- Flour Tortillas: Small flour tortillas (usually 6-inch or “fajita” size) are ideal for rolling into taquitos. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option or prefer a different flavor, corn tortillas can also be used, though they may require brief warming to prevent tearing during rolling.
Gathering these ingredients ensures you’re well-equipped to create truly outstanding Buffalo Chicken Taquitos.
Effortless Steps: How to Make Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
Making these Buffalo Chicken Taquitos is surprisingly simple, even for novice cooks. Follow these straightforward steps to create a batch of crispy, flavor-packed taquitos:
- Prepare the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200°C). This ensures it’s perfectly hot and ready when your taquitos are assembled, leading to that ideal crispy exterior.
- Craft the Creamy Chicken Filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, ranch dressing, blue cheese crumbles (if using), Frank’s hot sauce, shredded chicken, and shredded cheddar cheese. Use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix all the ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and the mixture is uniform. Ensure there are no large lumps of cream cheese.
- Assemble the Taquitos with Care: Lay a single flour tortilla flat on your clean counter. Spoon approximately 1/3 cup of the prepared chicken filling across the center of the tortilla, spreading it into a neat line from one side to the other. Carefully but firmly roll up the tortilla tightly around the chicken mixture, ensuring the seam is securely closed.
- Arrange and Brush: Place the rolled taquito seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This orientation helps prevent them from unrolling during baking. Continue this process until all your taquitos are assembled and neatly arranged on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Once all taquitos are on the tray, lightly brush the tops with melted butter using a pastry brush. This butter will help them crisp up and achieve that beautiful golden-brown color.
- Bake to Crispy Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake for 10 minutes on one side. Then, carefully flip each taquito to the other side and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the tops are gloriously golden brown and crunchy. The goal is a perfectly crispy exterior with a hot, gooey interior.
- Serve and Garnish Immediately: Once baked, remove the taquitos from the oven. Serve them hot and fresh! For an extra burst of flavor and visual appeal, drizzle with extra blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing, or a little more Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. Garnish with fresh cilantro and diced tomatoes if desired. Dive in and enjoy every savory bite!
Tips for Storing and Reheating Your Buffalo Chicken Taquitos
These Buffalo Chicken Taquitos are fantastic freshly made, but they also store and reheat wonderfully, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying leftovers. Here are some useful tips:
- Make Ahead: For busy schedules, you can prepare the chicken filling up to 24 hours in advance. Simply mix all the ingredients for the filling, transfer it to an airtight container, and store it in the refrigerator. About 30 minutes before you plan to roll the taquitos the next day, remove the filling from the fridge to allow it to come slightly closer to room temperature, making it easier to work with.
- Storing Leftovers: If you find yourself with leftover Buffalo Chicken Taquitos (a rare occurrence, we know!), allow them to cool completely. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or a freezer-safe bag. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat for Best Results:
- Microwave (Quickest): The fastest way to reheat taquitos is in the microwave. Place a few taquitos on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time until they are warmed through. Keep in mind that microwaving may result in a softer exterior.
- Oven (Crispiest): If you prefer to retain that lovely crispy exterior, reheating in the oven is your best bet. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the taquitos on a baking sheet and bake for about 5-10 minutes, or until they are warmed through and the edges are crisp again. This method is highly recommended for maximum enjoyment!
- Air Fryer (Super Crispy): For an even quicker and crispier reheat, place taquitos in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until hot and crispy.
Whether you’re planning a fun gathering or just looking for creative football tailgating food or crowd-pleasing chicken recipes, these taquitos are sure to be a hit. Don’t forget to check out our entire list of family favorite appetizers for more inspiration.
Buffalo Chicken Taquitos Recipe
The Carefree Kitchen
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15
20
35
12
taquitos
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/3 cup Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- 3 cups shredded chicken, rotisserie works great
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 24 small flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200°C).
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, ranch dressing, blue cheese, Frank’s hot sauce, shredded chicken, and cheddar cheese. Mix with a spoon or spatula until well combined.
- For each taquito, lay a tortilla flat on the counter and spoon about 1/3 cup of chicken filling, spreading it into a line across the tortilla from one side to the other. Roll up the taquito tightly around the chicken mixture and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet seam side down.
- Continue assembling all the taquitos, then brush with melted butter using a pastry brush.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes on one side, then flip the taquitos and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Serve immediately with blue cheese crumbles, ranch dressing, or Frank’s red hot sauce drizzled over the top and garnish with fresh cilantro and diced tomatoes. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Storing leftovers: Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container or freezer bag and store for up to 3 days in the fridge.
Reheating: The quickest way to reheat taquitos is in the microwave. Just microwave on high for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through. If you want the outside to crisp up a bit, you can also reheat in a 350 degree F (175°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 32g |
Protein: 18g |
Fat: 21g |
Saturated Fat: 9g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 7g |
Trans Fat: 1g |
Cholesterol: 66mg |
Sodium: 872mg |
Potassium: 218mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 3g |
Vitamin A: 444IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 171mg |
Iron: 3mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Appetizer, Main Course
Mexican, Tex-Mex
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More Delicious Rotisserie Chicken Recipes We Love
Rotisserie chicken is a weeknight hero, and its versatility shines in countless dishes. If you loved using it for these taquitos, you’ll definitely want to try these other fantastic recipes that leverage pre-cooked chicken:
- Comforting White Chicken Chili: A hearty and flavorful chili, perfect for a cozy meal.
- Classic Red Chicken Enchiladas: Layers of savory chicken, cheese, and a rich red sauce create an irresistible dish.
- Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup: A warming and indulgent soup, just like your restaurant favorite.
- Savory Chicken Stuffed Pasta Shells: Large pasta shells filled with a delicious chicken and cheese mixture.
- Easy Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup: The ultimate comfort food, quick to make with pre-shredded chicken.
More Effortless Dinner Ideas for Busy Evenings
Looking for more simple yet satisfying dinner solutions? We’ve got you covered with a variety of easy-to-prepare meals that are perfect for any night of the week:
- Hearty American Goulash: A classic one-pot meal that’s both filling and flavorful.
- Sizzling Steak Fajitas: Bring the restaurant experience home with these vibrant and delicious fajitas.
- Simple Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas: Minimal cleanup and maximum flavor with this easy sheet pan method.
- Quick Beef and Broccoli Teriyaki: A takeout favorite made effortlessly in your own kitchen.
- Creamy Beef Stroganoff: A rich and comforting pasta dish that’s surprisingly easy to make.
- Discover even more Easy 30-Minute Dinner Ideas to streamline your meal prep.
- Explore our full collection of Main Dish Recipes for endless meal inspiration.
- And don’t forget to browse our extensive Chicken Recipes for more poultry-based perfection.
In conclusion, these Buffalo Chicken Taquitos are the perfect blend of crunchy and creamy, spicy and savory. Stuffed with a simple yet incredibly flavorful buffalo chicken and cream cheese filling, wrapped in a soft flour tortilla, and baked to golden-brown perfection, they are destined to be a hit. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, and get ready for rave reviews!