Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a crowd-pleasing snack or a fun, flavorful dinner idea, this Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe is going to blow you away. I absolutely love how the sweet and tangy homemade honey BBQ sauce pairs perfectly with tender slow-cooked chicken, all wrapped up in crispy, golden taquitos. Trust me, once you make these, everyone at your table will be asking for seconds!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together in harmony to create that irresistible honey BBQ flavor and creamy, cheesy filling that makes this Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe so special. When shopping, fresh cilantro and good-quality tortillas will really make a difference.

• Ketchup: Forms the base of the BBQ sauce with a slight tang.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a lovely glaze.
• Molasses: Brings depth and richness to your homemade sauce.
• Apple cider vinegar: Gives that signature tang to balance the sweet.
• Chili powder, paprika, garlic powder: These spices layer in smoky, warm flavors.
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to shred and soak up that BBQ sauce.
• Cornstarch: Thickens the leftover sauce to cozy it up inside the taquitos.
• Cream cheese: Softens and adds creamy richness that hugs the chicken.
• Monterey jack cheese: Melts beautifully for cheesy goodness in every bite.
• Fresh cilantro: Brings brightness and fresh contrast.
• Small whole grain tortillas: These wrap everything up – warming them first helps prevent tearing.
• Cooking spray & kosher salt: For crisping and seasoning the taquitos before baking.

Variations

One of the best parts about this Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you want to swap cheeses or add heat with a kick of spice, make it your own!

• Spicy Kick: I love adding a little chipotle powder or diced jalapeños to the filling when I want a smoky heat that wakes up your taste buds.
• Dairy-Free: Swap cream cheese for mashed avocado and omit Monterey jack cheese for a creamy, dairy-free option that’s still delicious.
• Different Meats: Tried shredding rotisserie chicken or even pulled pork instead of slow cooker breasts — both totally work and taste amazing.
• Cheese Variations: Pepper jack or sharp cheddar can add a different dimension if you want to mix things up.

How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Honey BBQ Sauce

Start by combining ketchup, honey, molasses, apple cider vinegar, and the spices in a medium bowl. I always use a whisk here to get everything nicely blended without lumps. This sauce is the heart of the recipe, so take a minute to mix it well — you’ll taste the love in every bite.

Step 2: Slow Cook the Chicken in the BBQ Sauce

Place your chicken breasts in the slow cooker and pour the BBQ sauce right over them. Cover and cook low for about 3 to 3 ½ hours, until the chicken is fall-apart tender. If you’re in a hurry, high for 2 hours works too, but low and slow yields the juiciest chicken. The aroma while it cooks? Absolutely mouthwatering.

Step 3: Thicken the Sauce and Shred the Chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a large bowl. Don’t toss out that remaining liquid in the slow cooker — you’ll whisk in cornstarch to it, then cook uncovered on high for 10 minutes to thicken it into a luscious glaze. Shred the chicken with two forks, then mix in most of that thickened sauce along with cream cheese, Monterey jack, and chopped cilantro. This combo makes the filling creamy, cheesy, with the freshest herbal pop from the cilantro.

Step 4: Roll Up Your Taquitos

Heat your oven to 400°F and get a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warm the tortillas wrapped in damp paper towels in the microwave — this helps avoid cracking or tearing when you roll them. Next, spoon about ¼ cup of the chicken mixture onto the lower third of each tortilla, roll them up tight, and place seam-side down on the sheet. Pro tip: the tighter you roll, the better they’ll stay together while baking.

Step 5: Bake Until Crisp and Golden

Lightly spray the taquitos with cooking spray and sprinkle with kosher salt, then pop them in the oven for 12-16 minutes or until they’re lightly golden and crunchy. Serve warm with the extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping. This finishing step is where that gorgeous crisp crust forms, sealing in all that comforting, cheesy filling. Yum!

How to Serve Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe

Garnishes

I love sprinkling fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime right on top when serving – it brightens each bite. A dollop of sour cream or a creamy avocado crema on the side also adds a cooling contrast to the sweet BBQ flavor. If you like a spicy touch, a few pickled jalapeños can be a game changer!

Side Dishes

My go-to sides for these Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos are a crisp green salad or Mexican street corn salad. Black beans and rice on the side make for a more filling meal that’s perfect for dinner. Honestly, these taquitos are so flavorful they can even stand alone as a satisfying snack or party appetizer.

Creative Ways to Present

For game day or a festive gathering, arrange taquitos standing up in a mason jar or a tall glass and serve with multiple dipping sauces like chipotle ranch, guacamole, or extra BBQ sauce. You can also serve them on a large platter garnished with colorful sliced radishes and lime wedges — it looks so inviting and makes for a fun communal eating experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you gently reheat them in the oven or air fryer (rather than the microwave), the taquitos maintain their crispiness and the filling stays creamy and delicious — definitely my preferred method!

Freezing

This Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe freezes beautifully. I flash freeze unbaked taquitos on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. It’s like having homemade freezer meals on hand — a real lifesaver on busy days or last-minute entertaining.

Reheating

To reheat frozen taquitos, I preheat the oven to 375°F and bake them straight from the freezer for 18-20 minutes. This method crisps up the outside perfectly without drying out the filling, so you get that fresh-out-of-the-oven experience every time.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Honey BBQ Chicken Taquitos Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to because it’s simple, comforting, and oh-so-delicious. It’s helped me entertain without stress and fed my family on busy weeknights with big smiles all around. I hope you give this a try soon — I promise, the crispy, cheesy, sweet BBQ goodness will become a new favorite in your recipe box too!

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