Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos

Description

These Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos combine tender shredded chicken, smoky bacon, creamy ranch dressing, and gooey cheese all rolled into a tortilla and baked or fried until perfectly crispy. They’re a great appetizer, snack, or main dish and can be made ahead for quick meals. Think of them as the Tex-Mex version of comfort food — with an irresistible ranch twist.

Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos

• 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)

• 6 slices crispy cooked bacon, chopped

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheddar-mozzarella blend)

• ½ cup cream cheese, softened

• ½ cup ranch dressing

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 10 small flour tortillas (or corn for gluten-free option)

• Cooking spray or light oil for baking (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat oil in a skillet if frying.

2. Mix Filling
In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, chopped bacon, shredded cheese, cream cheese, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper until well mixed.

3. Fill & Roll
Place 2–3 tablespoons of filling on one side of each tortilla. Roll tightly and place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

4. Bake or Fry

• Baking: Lightly spray with cooking spray, bake for 12–15 minutes or until golden and crispy.

• Frying: Heat 1 inch of oil over medium heat, fry 2–3 minutes per side until crispy and golden, then drain on paper towels.

5. Serve
Serve hot with extra ranch dressing, salsa, or guacamole for dipping.

Notes

• You can use leftover chicken from another meal.

• Corn tortillas will give a more authentic taquito texture but require softening in the microwave to prevent cracking.

• For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce to the filling.

• Can be frozen before baking — bake straight from frozen for about 18–20 minutes.

Tips

• Don’t overfill the tortillas or they may burst open while cooking.

• Brush with a bit of melted butter before baking for extra crispiness.

• Keep taquitos warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven if making in batches.

• Add a small sprinkle of cheese on top before baking for extra flavor.

Servings

Makes 10 taquitos (about 3–4 servings as a main dish or 5–6 servings as an appetizer).

Nutritional Info (per taquito, baked version)

• Calories: ~210 kcal

• Protein: 11 g

• Carbs: 15 g

• Fat: 12 g

• Fiber: 1 g

• Sodium: ~430 mg

Benefits

• High in protein from chicken and cheese for a filling meal.

• Customizable — can easily adjust flavors or make vegetarian versions.

• Kid-friendly and great for parties or game-day snacks.

• Make-ahead friendly for meal prep or quick dinners.

Q&A

Q: Can I make them ahead of time?
A: Yes! Prepare and roll them, store in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then bake or fry when ready.

Q: Can I air-fry them?
A: Absolutely — cook at 375°F (190°C) for about 8–10 minutes, turning halfway through.

Q: How do I keep tortillas from cracking?
A: Warm them in the microwave for 20–30 seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel before filling.

Q: Can I use turkey bacon?
A: Yes, turkey bacon works well if you want to reduce fat.