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A plate of crispy Baked Chicken Taquitos served with fresh salsa, shredded lettuce, and a slice of avocado in the background.

Easy Gluten Free Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Crispy, flavorful chicken taquitos made effortlessly gluten-free using corn tortillas and an air fryer or oven, perfect for a quick snack, appetizer, or a fun family meal.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 16 taquitos
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Filling
  • 1.5 lbs cooked chicken breast shredded
  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 cup salsa mild or medium
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese or Mexican blend
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • pinch black pepper
For Assembly & Cooking
  • 16 corn tortillas standard size (5-6 inch), naturally gluten-free
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil, for brushing/spraying
  • Optional sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa for serving

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Air Fryer
  • Tongs
  • Microwave-safe plate or damp paper towels
  • Baking Sheet (for oven method)

Method
 

Prepare the Chicken Filling
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, salsa, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the chicken is evenly coated.
Warm the Tortillas
  1. To prevent tortillas from cracking when rolling, warm them. You can do this in batches of 4-6 by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 30-60 seconds, or by quickly heating them on a dry skillet for 10-15 seconds per side until pliable. Keep them covered to retain warmth and moisture.
Assemble the Taquitos
  1. Take one warmed tortilla. Place about 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling in a line across the center, closer to one edge. Tightly roll the tortilla, starting from the edge closest to the filling, creating a taquito shape. Place seam-side down on a plate. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
Cook in Air Fryer (Recommended)
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly brush or spray the assembled taquitos with olive oil. Place taquitos in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't touch each other (cook in batches if necessary). Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Cooking time may vary based on your air fryer model.
Cook in Oven (Alternative)
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly brush or spray the assembled taquitos with olive oil. Arrange them seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Serve
  1. Carefully remove the taquitos from the air fryer or oven. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces like sour cream, guacamole, or extra salsa.

Notes

For best results, do not overfill the taquitos, as this can make them harder to roll and more likely to break. If using the oven, you can bake all taquitos at once, but they might take slightly longer than air-fried batches. Leftover taquitos can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer or oven for crispness.