Buffalo chicken taquitos are a spicy, crispy, and cheesy appetizer or snack that’s perfect for game days, parties, or even a quick dinner. Shredded chicken is mixed with buffalo sauce, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese, then rolled in tortillas and baked or fried to golden perfection. These taquitos pack a punch of flavor and are best served with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Spicy and Flavorful – The perfect mix of tangy buffalo sauce and creamy cheese.
- Crispy & Cheesy – A crunchy tortilla shell filled with melted, gooey cheese.
- Easy to Make – Uses simple ingredients and can be baked, fried, or air-fried.
- Great for Meal Prep – Make a batch and freeze them for later.
- Perfect for Parties – A crowd-pleaser that pairs well with dips like ranch or blue cheese.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Shredded cooked chicken
- Buffalo sauce
- Cream cheese
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Flour or corn tortillas
- Oil (for frying or brushing if baking)
- Ranch or blue cheese dressing (for serving)
Directions
- Prepare the Filling – In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
- Assemble the Taquitos – Place a small amount of the buffalo chicken mixture on one side of a tortilla, then roll it up tightly.
- Choose Your Cooking Method:
- Baked – Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place taquitos on a baking sheet, brush with oil, and bake for 15-18 minutes until crispy.
- Fried – Heat oil in a pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry taquitos for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Air-Fried – Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve – Let the taquitos cool for a minute before serving with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Makes about 12 taquitos
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Extra Spicy – Add diced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper to the filling.
- Cheesy Upgrade – Mix in mozzarella or pepper jack cheese for extra cheesiness.
- BBQ Chicken Taquitos – Swap buffalo sauce for BBQ sauce for a smoky twist.
- Low-Carb Option – Use low-carb tortillas or lettuce wraps.
- Veggie Taquitos – Replace chicken with black beans and corn for a vegetarian version.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage – Keep leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating – Reheat in an oven at 375°F for 5-7 minutes or in an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes to keep them crispy.
- Freezing – Freeze uncooked taquitos on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen at 400°F for 18-20 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes! Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver for this recipe.
How do I prevent taquitos from unrolling while cooking?
Place them seam-side down on the baking sheet or use toothpicks to hold them together while frying.
What’s the best buffalo sauce to use?
Frank’s RedHot is a popular choice, but any buffalo sauce will work.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas?
Yes! Just warm them up before rolling to prevent cracking.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble and refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking.
What dipping sauces go well with buffalo chicken taquitos?
Ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or even a sour cream-based dip work well.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes! Air fry at 375°F for about 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
How do I make them gluten-free?
Use gluten-free tortillas and check that your buffalo sauce is gluten-free.
What’s the best cheese to use?
Cheddar is great, but Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or pepper jack work well too.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Yes! Bake at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Conclusion
Buffalo chicken taquitos are a spicy, cheesy, and crispy treat that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Whether baked, fried, or air-fried, they’re always a hit. Try them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy a flavorful snack that’s sure to impress!
PrintBuffalo Chicken Taquitos
These Buffalo Chicken Taquitos are crispy, cheesy, and packed with bold buffalo flavor. Shredded chicken is mixed with cream cheese, buffalo sauce, and seasonings, then rolled in tortillas and baked or fried to perfection. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 taquitos 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)
- 4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 10 small flour tortillas (or corn tortillas for a crunchier texture)
- Cooking spray or vegetable oil (for baking/frying)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – If baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Filling – In a bowl, mix together shredded chicken, cream cheese, buffalo sauce, cheddar cheese, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the Taquitos – Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture onto a tortilla, roll it tightly, and place seam-side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake or Fry:
- To Bake: Lightly spray the taquitos with cooking spray and bake for 15–18 minutes, until golden and crispy.
- To Fry: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry the taquitos in batches for 2–3 minutes per side, until crispy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve – Enjoy warm with ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or extra buffalo sauce!
Notes
- Use corn tortillas for extra crunch—just warm them slightly before rolling to prevent cracking.
- Add chopped green onions or crumbled blue cheese for extra flavor.
- Air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Make them spicier by adding a dash of cayenne or extra buffalo sauce!