Oven "Fried" Chicken Taquitos are a healthy twist on your favorite Mexican Food appetizer, save tons of calories by baking instead of frying! Gluten Free
How to Make Oven-Fried Taquitos (1 Minute Video)
First up, thank you so much for all your kind comments yesterday, it is good to know that so many of you understand what I'm going through. Your support means the world to me.
Speaking of that, I'm terrible, yesterday I promised you wings and today I give you chicken taquitos. (see slow cooker wings or oven baked wings in the meantime!)
I understand if you are mad, it's okay, I know you still love me. Wings are coming next week, I promise, but today I've got something just as spectacular.... oven baked chicken taquitos! I mean who could say no to these right?
This is actually a very old Hungry Hobby recipe, circa de 2014 when I had two readers and took photos with my crappy cell phone. Pretty sure it wasn't even an iPhone!
Trust me, the photos desperately needed updating! Besides, Mexican food is hands down my favorite food, any time any place I LOVE Mexican food. Luckily for me, it is also one of the easiest foods to health-a-fy.
If you love Mexican food as much as I do, definitely check out this roundup of healthy Mexican food I put together for Cinco De Mayo. It has over 30 healthier Mexican food meals to satisfy any craving, anytime!
Now back to this super bomb taquito recipe which takes your typical taquito calorie bomb and lightens it up by using chicken and baking instead of deep frying the taquitos. I also snuck in a few veggies, but I promise you won't' taste them! Way healthier than a restaurant version or frozen food, but still just as crunchy and delicious.
Plus with all the calories you saved you get to dip it in a little extra guac right (I recommend my extra spicy guacamole or sneaky lightened up guacamole)
The bonus is, I was surprised at how easy this all came together. I thought it would be labor intensive with the rolling of the taquitos but the whole thing was ready in about 35 minutes!
What are your plans this weekend? My - shoulder, rib, back whatever it is, is feeling better. I went to the chiropractor yesterday and then didn't do ANYTHING, I didn't even walk the dog. Hoping that helps kick it. I think rib things just take a while to work themselves out, lucky me.
Also, Mr. Hungry has plans to deep clean the house, double lucky me. I'll let him deep clean while I organize stuff, we make a good team that way!
Oven Fried Chicken Taquitos
Serve these Taquitos with:
Oven Fried Chicken Taquitos
Ingredients
- ½ medium onion
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 T avocado oil
- 1 lb ground chicken
- 3 T Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 12 6 inch corn tortillas
- ¾ cup shredded pepper jack
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with foil, grease with oil or cooking spray
- Shred Zucchini using the large holes of a box grater, squeeze dry in a clean kitchen towel (should have 2 cups.)
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, ground chicken, chili powder, onions, cumin and salt. to pan and cook, stirring until the chicken is cooked through 8-10 minutes.
- Spread tortillas out on a baking sheet in two overlapping rows. Bake until hot, about 2 minutes, transfer to a plate and cover.
- Line the baking sheet with foil or parchment paper (for easier clean up) and coat with cooking spray. Place 6 tortillas on a clean cutting board or extra pan. Working quickly, spread a generous ¼ cup chicken mixture along the bottom third of a tortilla, sprinkle with about 1T cheese and tightly roll into a cigar shape.
- Generously coat the top and sides of taquitos with cooking spray. Sprinkle the top with salt, liberally. Bake the taquitos until browned and crispy, 14 to 18 minutes.
- Serve with spicy guacamole!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PSST Want to make healthy eating easier and more convenient than ever? WTE? Meal Plans includes new healthy recipes every week, like taquitos! Yes, a healthy gluten-free meal plan with taquitos, believe it!
Looking for more healthy Mexican food recipes? Check out this AMAZING roundup!
Looking for game day snacks? Check out this roundup of over 50 healthy gluten-free game day snacks!
Or maybe the kids love this recipe and you are looking for healthy kid-friendly recipes?
Don't forget to pin this recipe for later & follow @hungryhobby on Pinterest for more delicious recipes!
Gluten Free Fabulous says
Yum! They look delicious and not bad nutrition wise per serving. This would make a great lunch.
hungryhobby says
Thanks! Ya they don't stack up too bad for Mexican food plus they are pretty filling! Let me know if you try them 🙂
cocinadecella says
Wow these sound fabulous. I've never tried to make my own taquitos but I will definitely try soon. Thanks for the inspiration!
hungryhobby says
Thanks, they were super easy! Hope you like them 🙂
Elizabeth Shaw says
This looks so great Kelli! I love how you used sneaky vegs in here too, a total winner for the big game!
Kait says
What temp do you bake after filling with chicken?
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Hi Kait! 425F 🙂
Leslie says
I used yellow squash & shredded chicken breast, as that's what I had in hand. Sprinkled a little goat cheese on the top since I can't do cheddar! Made a mexican zoodle salad to go with- I can't wait to EEEEAT!!!! Nom, nom, nom😋
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
sounds delicious
Kaitlan says
Is there anything we can use to substitute the avocado oil? We're broke but trying to stay healthy for the whole family.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Hi Kaitlan, first a little tip is that Avocado oil is extremely cheap at Costco! Second, you could easily use canola oil!
Kaitlan says
Thank you! Unfortunately the nearest Costco is over three hours away but I do have canola oil. Appreciate it!
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Your welcome!
Keonie says
These are so tasty! We've made them twice now and I forgot again that I can probably get 15 taquitos out of this recipe. I'm also going to take the suggestion of someone else and use a large zucchini next time.
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
That's great! Thanks for sharing!
click here says
I just made these and they are good but my glaze did not look like that on my donuts. The donuts absorbed a lot of the glaze and they are almost soggy now ): what did I do wrong?
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Hi Emily, I'm confused because this is not a donut recipe. Thanks.
Lindsey says
Do you ever have issues with the corn tortillas ripping when stuffing with chicken mixture? I haven't tried your recipe but a similar one and they ripped unfortunately. Suggestions?
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
I haven't had that issue, the only issue I've had is them cracking if I leave them in the oven too long. I would guess you probably need better corn tortillas. Don't get the super cheap ones that come a million to a pack, try to find La tortilla company or if you have a Trader Joe's near you get the TJs brand. I've never had ripping with either of those because they are so sturdy and a little bigger!
Trudy ponce says
I make taquitos all the time. To keep your tortillas from breaking get a tortilla warmer put about 12 or more tortillas in the warmer and microwave for one minute 10 seconds then roll your chicken taquitos. Comes out perfect all the time
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
Thanks for the tip!
Jackie says
I'm excited to try this recipe; my family misses taquitos - I haven't bought them because the store bought ones have soy. With thyroid issues in my family, my goal is to limit soy as much as I can. Thanks!
Cheryl OConnor says
Hi
Have you made these in an air fryer? Anyone that has...what temp and time?
Thanks for the recipe...nice and easy
Cheryl
Kelli Shallal MPH RD says
I don't have an air fryer but let's know if you try it!
Jade says
Sooo good! I didn't need as many so I halved the recipe. I have IBS and have to eat low fodmap, so I nixed the onion and chili powder and added 2 tsp chives, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano & paprika, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt. I splurged and dipped them in a small dollop of sour cream. Don't taste the zucchini at all, just very flavorful yet healthy chicken taquitos!