Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken Baked Taquitos: Your Ultimate Guide to Flavorful Mexican Home Cooking
Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken Baked Taquitos are more than just a recipe; they are a vibrant celebration of authentic Mexican flavors, perfectly timed for National Salsa Month! Imagine succulent, tender chicken slow-cooked or pressure-cooked in rich, roasted salsa verde, then thoughtfully combined with savory black beans, creamy avocado, and a medley of melted cheeses. This delectable mixture is then rolled into crispy, oven-baked tortillas, creating a handheld delight that’s irresistible. Whether you’re looking for an impressive appetizer, a satisfying snack, or a complete main course, these taquitos deliver on taste, texture, and convenience, making them a fantastic addition to any meal or gathering.
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by HERDEZ®. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Cake ‘n Knife!
Celebrating National Salsa Month with Zesty Flavors
Did you know that we’re currently in the midst of National Salsa Month? For true salsa enthusiasts, this comes as no surprise. If there ever was a month that perfectly aligns with my culinary passions, it’s this one. My devotion to salsa runs deep; it’s a staple in my daily diet, and I assure you, that is no exaggeration. Salsa, in all its vibrant forms, is truly ingrained in my cooking philosophy. It’s an ingredient I proudly incorporate into almost every dish, enhancing flavors and adding that perfect kick. In fact, as I write this, I’m savoring bites of perfectly grilled strip steak, each morsel generously topped with the incredible HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde.
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Flavorful Feast: Why These Taquitos Are a Must-Try
In observance of National Salsa Month, I’m thrilled to share a wonderfully creative and absolutely delicious way to utilize the renowned HERDEZ® brand salsa. For those unfamiliar, HERDEZ® stands as the number one salsa brand in Mexico, embodying the true essence and heart of authentic Mexican cuisine. Their commitment to using simple, high-quality ingredients ensures a depth of flavor that is truly unparalleled. With a rich history spanning over 100 years, HERDEZ® has been a cherished staple in countless Mexican kitchens, a testament to its enduring quality and authentic taste.
My admiration for HERDEZ® stems from its consistently great taste and its ability to infuse traditional, authentic Mexican flavors into all my recipes. When you cook with products like their exceptional Roasted Salsa Verde, which takes center stage in these baked taquitos, you can trust that the salsa’s rich and complex flavors will truly shine through. It is, without a doubt, the heart and soul of this particular recipe, and I am utterly obsessed with the results. It’s truly a dream come true to partner with a brand that I already adore and one that seamlessly integrates into my personal cooking style and passion for bold, authentic tastes.
If you know me, you know how much I cherish robust spice and incredible salsa!
These Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken Baked Taquitos are consistently a crowd-pleaser and a surefire win, whether you decide to serve them as an engaging appetizer, a satisfying snack, or a flavorful main dish. The interior filling is a harmonious blend of creamy, subtly spicy, and wonderfully gooey textures, offering a delightful contrast to the golden-brown and satisfyingly crispy exterior of the baked tortilla. When you take that perfect bite and then dip it into even more HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde, it transcends into a truly handheld culinary heaven. The combination of textures and flavors creates an unforgettable experience that will have everyone reaching for more.
This Recipe’s Essential Tools and Ingredients
To embark on this flavorful journey, your paramount ingredient is the exceptional HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde. This versatile salsa isn’t just an ideal, zesty dip for your finished taquitos; it also plays a crucial role in infusing the chicken with its vibrant, authentic flavor during cooking, and it’s a key component added directly into the creamy filling mixture, ensuring a cohesive and delicious taste throughout.
For cooking the chicken, I highly recommend using an Instant Pot for its speed and efficiency, delivering perfectly tender, shreddable chicken in mere minutes. However, if a slow cooker is your preferred method, it works beautifully too (be sure to consult the recipe notes for adjusted cooking times to achieve the same succulent results). Once cooked, shredding the meat is a breeze with just two ordinary forks.
To prepare the delectable taquito filling, you’ll want to have a set of sturdy mixing bowls readily available. These are essential for combining all the creamy, savory ingredients that make these taquitos so special.
Finally, a reliable half sheet baking pan is crucial for achieving that desirable golden-brown and crispy taquito exterior. For optimal crispiness and even baking, I suggest positioning your oven rack in the lower third of your oven. This helps ensure direct heat contact, resulting in perfectly crunchy taquitos every time.
Crafting Your Baked Taquitos: A Step-by-Step Guide
Preparing the Salsa Verde Chicken
The chicken destined for the taquito filling is where a significant portion of this recipe’s incredible flavor originates. By cooking the chicken directly in HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde, it thoroughly absorbs the authentic, vibrant flavors of fire-roasted poblano peppers, tangy tomatillos – an ingredient I believe is truly underrated for its bright and slightly acidic notes – and a subtle kick from jalapeño peppers. This immersion cooking method ensures that every shred of chicken is bursting with rich, complex Mexican taste.
For speed and convenience, you can have perfectly tender chicken ready in just about 20 minutes using your Instant Pot. If you prefer a more hands-off approach, or if a slow cooker is your only option, it works just as well; simply refer to the detailed instructions in the recipe notes for the appropriate slow cooker cooking times to achieve that same melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Assembling the Creamy Taquito Filling
Once your chicken is cooked to perfection, the next step is effortlessly shredding it with two forks until it reaches a fine, consistent texture. This recipe generously yields more chicken than you’ll need for the taquitos, leaving you with delicious leftovers to enjoy later – consider it a bonus for your future meals!
Now, for the magic of the filling: combine a cup of your flavorful roasted salsa verde chicken with hearty black beans, a wonderfully creamy mashed avocado, a generous helping of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and two ounces of softened cream cheese to bind everything together. To amplify that signature tangy and spicy kick, stir in a couple of extra tablespoons of HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde. Mix all these ingredients thoroughly until they are perfectly incorporated, creating a rich, creamy, and undeniably irresistible filling that forms the core of these amazing taquitos.
Roll and Bake Your Way to Crispy Perfection
With your delectable filling ready, it’s time for assembly! Start by placing a generous spoonful, approximately a heaping tablespoon, of the creamy chicken mixture into the center of each small flour tortilla. To ensure your tortillas are pliable and won’t crack during rolling, it’s essential to warm them slightly in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds before you begin.
Once filled, tightly roll up each tortilla, starting from the bottom, to create that classic taquito shape. Arrange them neatly, seam-side down, on your prepared baking sheet. This ensures they hold their shape perfectly during baking and prevents them from unrolling.
Bake the taquitos in your preheated oven at 425˚F until they achieve a beautiful golden-brown color and a wonderfully crispy exterior, which typically takes about 15 minutes. For an even crispier finish, consider lightly brushing them with a little olive oil or spraying with cooking spray before baking.
The true magic happens when these hot, crispy taquitos meet a side of additional HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde. This makes for an absolutely incredible dipping experience, where the vibrant burst of tangy and spicy notes from the salsa perfectly complements the creamy, savory filling of the taquito. This combination is rich, incredibly flavorful, and so utterly addictive that you’ll find yourself making them again and again.
Can you honestly imagine a more fitting or delicious way to honor National Salsa Month? With the month almost drawing to a close, there’s no better time to whip up these fantastic taquitos and celebrate the joy of authentic Mexican flavors!
Finding HERDEZ®: Authentic Mexican Flavors Near You
Locating your favorite HERDEZ® products is wonderfully simple. Just head straight to my personal favorite aisle in the grocery store: the Mexican food aisle, often labeled as the Latin food section depending on your store’s layout. This is precisely where you’ll discover the celebrated HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde, essential for this recipe. Keep an eye out for their delicious Taqueria Street Sauces too; these are another fantastic line and a particular favorite of mine, typically found in the dedicated taco sauce aisle. HERDEZ® offers an impressive and extensive range of authentic salsas, flavorful dips, and versatile cooking sauces. I encourage you to pick up a few different varieties to explore and find your own personal favorites! The best part? HERDEZ® products are widely available nationwide, making it easy for everyone to enjoy these authentic Mexican flavors.
Corn vs. Flour Tortillas: Which Is Best for Taquitos?
While you absolutely can substitute corn tortillas for flour in this taquito recipe, I personally lean towards flour tortillas. They offer a significant advantage in terms of ease of rolling, as their inherent flexibility makes them less prone to tearing. If you opt for corn tortillas, there’s a crucial step to ensure they are pliable enough: warm them up thoroughly between damp paper towels in the microwave. This simple trick will soften them considerably, making them much easier to roll without cracking. Without this step, corn tortillas can be quite stiff and difficult to work with, leading to breakage and frustration. Both options will yield delicious results, but for a smoother, quicker assembly process, flour tortillas are often the way to go.
Pin this Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken Baked Taquitos recipe for later!
Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken Baked Taquitos
equipment
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Instant Pot Ultra 6 Qt
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Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
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Half Sheet Pan
ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (about 1 large chicken breast, or 2 small)
- 1 1/2 cups HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde
- 12 to 14 small flour tortillas
- 1 cup shredded Salsa Verde Chicken
- 1 large avocado peeled, pitted, and mashed until smooth
- 1 cup black beans
- 2/3 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 Tbsp HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde
instructions
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To prepare the deeply flavorful salsa verde chicken, place the boneless, skinless chicken breast and 1.5 cups of HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde into the insert of your Instant Pot. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual (or Pressure Cook) on High pressure for 20 minutes. This will ensure the chicken is perfectly cooked through and incredibly tender, ready to absorb all the delicious salsa flavors.
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Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a quick release of pressure according to your Instant Pot’s instructions. Then, using two sturdy forks, shred the chicken directly within the Instant Pot insert, allowing it to soak up any remaining salsa liquid for maximum flavor.
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While the chicken is cooking or cooling slightly, preheat your oven to a robust 425˚F. Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lining it with either a silicone mat or parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
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Transfer 1 cup of the freshly cooked and shredded salsa verde chicken to a large mixing bowl. The remaining shredded chicken can be reserved for other delicious uses, such as quesadillas, tacos, or salads.
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To the bowl with the shredded chicken, add the mashed avocado, rinsed and drained black beans, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, softened cream cheese, and an additional 2 tablespoons of HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly until they are uniformly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
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To ensure your tortillas are perfectly pliable and prevent cracking during rolling, microwave them for approximately 10 to 15 seconds. You can wrap a stack of tortillas in a damp paper towel for even warming.
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On a clean, flat work surface, begin assembling your taquitos. Place one warm tortilla and add a generous spoonful (about a heaping tablespoon) of the creamy chicken filling to its center, slightly offset from the middle.
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Working from the bottom edge closest to you, roll up the tortilla as tightly as possible, tucking in the ends if desired. Place the rolled taquito seam-side down onto your prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining tortillas and filling, arranging them in a single layer without overcrowding the pan.
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Bake the taquitos in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until they turn beautifully golden brown and become wonderfully crispy on the outside. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
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Serve these delightful taquitos immediately with additional HERDEZ® Roasted Salsa Verde for dipping. You can also offer other toppings like sour cream, guacamole, or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro to enhance the experience. Enjoy your homemade, crispy, and creamy taquitos!