Preheat the oven to 400° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
In a skillet, add the olive oil and heat over medium heat.
1 tablespoon olive oil
Add the diced onion and cook for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
3 garlic cloves, 1 medium yellow onion
In a large bowl, add the sautéd onion mixture with all of the other filling ingredients and stir to combine well.
1 pound cooked chicken, 8 ounces cream cheese, ⅔ cup cheddar cheese, 3 tablespoon picante sauce or salsa, 3 tablespoon fresh cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Warm the tortillas in the microwave between 2 damp paper towels so they don't crack. Then divide the filling between each tortilla, approximately ⅓ cup in each. Filling should be well compacted so the taquitos stay put after bake.
12 small flour tortillas
Then, roll each tortilla as tight as possible and place them on the lined baking sheet in a single layer with at least an inch between them so they will get crispy. (rolling them tight keeps them together best.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
Serve with any Mexican toppings like salsa, guacamole, sour cream, fresh tomatoes, scallions, etc.
Notes
Use 2 teaspoons of taco seasoning instead of individual spices. (add the cayenne if you'd like the spiciness)Use smaller tortillas for an appetizer size.Swap the cheddar cheese for another like Monterey Jack, Colby, Pepper Jack, a blend of any or even Mexican cheese like cojito or queso fresco.Mix in diced jalapeño peppers instead of cayenne pepper.Use fresh lime juice if possible. Bottled is fine if that's all you have.TipsShred cheese off of a block for the best melty cheese. Cooking time will vary depending thickness of the taquitos and ovens. Start checking them at 7-8 minutes to be sure they are not overcooking.Prepare the filling ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Then assemble the taquitos when ready to bake.Freeze before or after baking. If freezing before cooking, place them on the baking sheet and freeze completely before placing them in a freezer bag. They can be baked straight from the freezer at 400° F and just add a 2-3 extra minutes to the cooking time.