Heart-Healthy Crispy Chicken Taquitos

Satisfy your craving for crispy, savory comfort food with this easy, guilt-free recipe for Heart-Healthy Crispy Chicken Taquitos. Packed with lean shredded chicken, black beans, and a flavorful mix of cumin, chili powder, and fresh lime juice, these baked taquitos deliver all the crunch you love without the excess oil. Wrapped in wholesome whole wheat tortillas and baked to golden perfection, they’re a healthier twist on the classic fried favorite. Topped with reduced-fat cheddar and fresh cilantro, these taquitos are a perfect weeknight dinner or appetizer. Plus, they’re ready in under 45 minutes! Serve them with creamy avocado, zesty salsa, or tangy Greek yogurt for a delicious, heart-smart meal that the whole family will adore.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 5

Ingredients

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
• 10 small whole wheat flour tortillas
• 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 0 as needed non-stick cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the saucepan, let them cool slightly, and then shred the chicken using two forks.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped red bell pepper and onion, cooking until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic, cumin, and chili powder, sautéing for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Stir in the black beans and shredded chicken, mixing until all ingredients are well combined and heated through. Remove from heat, and mix in the cilantro, lime juice, sea salt, and black pepper.

Step 6

Place a small amount of the chicken mixture onto each tortilla, sprinkle with some shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, and roll them tightly to form taquitos. Place each taquito seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7

Lightly spray the tops of the taquitos with non-stick cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crispy.

Step 9

Serve the taquitos warm, with your choice of healthy toppings like avocado slices, plain Greek yogurt, or salsa.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1673.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2812.8

Total Fat 100.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 400mg	0%
Sodium 4386.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 279.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 55.6g	0%
Total Sugars 24.3g
Protein 213.2g	0%

Vitamin D 28IU	0%
Calcium 1453.2mg	0%
Iron 28.2mg	0%
Potassium 3596.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 31.3%

Protein: 29.7%

Carbs: 39.0%