Looking for a simple meal that the whole family will love? Here's your recipe.... Taquitos!!
Taquitos basically tanslates in to 'small taco' but what it lacks in size it makes up for in flavour. Traditionally the taquitos are fried once assembled, creating THE most yummy crunchy shell... but... im trying to be a little healthier with this recipe and baking them instead. Have added a pointer in the recipe if you do want try them fried.
So you end up with a crunchy tortilla stuffed with smoky Mexican flavoured chicken, melted cheese and then topped with all the delicious condiments such as guacamole, sour cream and salsa. One bite of a taquito will have you in food heaven!!
Prep time 15mins
Cooking time 30mins
2 large chicken breasts, sliced
1.5tsp smoked paprika
1tsp chilli powder, I like to use hot but you can use mild
1tsp ground cumin
1tsp ground coriander
1tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper, about 1/4tsp each
Olive oil, you'll need to use this at different points in the recipe so make sure you have plenty.
1 red pepper, diced
1 lime
Handful of fresh chopped coriander
150g grated mozzarella
8 x 7" tortillas
Guacamole
Sour Cream
Salsa
Pre heat the oven to 180c.
In a bowl add the sliced chicken breast and all of the spices. This includes, chilli powder, paprika, cumin, ground coriander, oregano and salt and pepper. Add 1tbsp of olive oil and give it all a good mix until the chicken is evenly coated.
Find a frying pan or sauté pan with a lid available, set the lid aside for now. Heat 2tbsp of olive oil on a medium to high heat.
Once the oil is heated add the diced pepper and cook for a couple of minutes. Then add the seasoned chicken. Cook for 5 minutes and then pop the lid on. Cook with the lid on for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through, this will depend on how big you sliced it. Finishing the chicken with the lid on will help to steam cook the chicken and make it nice and juicy.
Once you're happy that the chicken is cooked through try and shred any larger pieces with a pair of forks, then add the juice of half of the lime and 2/3s of your chopped coriander, mix well. Have a taste you can always add a little more salt or spice depending on your taste. Remove any excess liquid from the pan, we want the
Now to assemble.
Brush one side of a tortilla with olive oil, then turn it over. We want to add the filling to the NON oiled side.
Keeping to one side of the wrap add approx 3tbsp of the chicken mixture, top that with some grated cheese.
Keeping it tight as you go, roll up the tortilla. The two ends don't need to be sealed, it should look a bit like a cannoli. (see pic for reference)
Place on a lined baking tray 'seam' side down so that they stay rolled up.
Repeat with all of the others and then place in the oven for about 10mins until golden and crisp.
Serve them straight out of the oven topped with all the Mexican favourites like guacamole, sour cream and salsa on top. Scatter any remaining coriander and dig in!!
If you want to make it more of a meal the taquitos would go lovely with a zingy rice salad, see my recipe.
