Easy (baked) Taquitos

Taquitos

1 ( 10 - 12 oz) Can Chicken
1/3 cup of Salsa
shredded cheese
Taco seasoning, optional
1 package 6-8 inch tortillas, corn or flour
1 microwave safe pie plate
Cookie Sheet
SaranWrap

So you made Mexican Pie, it was great (you'd know that if you tried it), but you're now stuck with an open packet of tortillas. Taquitos/Flautas are an easy and quick way to use up the rest of your salsa, tortillas, and cheese.

First, mix can of chicken with salsa. Make sure to shred the chicken as you mix it. Put this in the fridge to sit for 10-15 minutes.

The last five minutes of your wait, preheat your oven to 375 degree. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Put tortillas between two damp paper towels and microwave for one minute, or until tortillas are warm and pliable.

When chicken/salsa combo is ready, take out of fridge and drain well. Then add a good handful of cheese and 1/4 tsp (or more) of Taco Seasoning. To be honest, I used more like a tablespoon of taco seasoning, but I like stuff spicy. Mix well.

Put a good spoonful or two of filling mixture on the edge of tortilla. Roll tortilla into a tube and place seam side down on sprayed cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

When all tortillas are rolled, spray tops lightly with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with enchilada sauce, sour cream, or salsa.

Will make 6-8 taquitos, depending on size of tortilla and how generous you are with filling.

Variations
--The fun part.

• Hate canned chicken? Use shredded pork or fry up some hamburger meat instead. Cooking is all about you. Make it vegetarian with bell pepper, onion, and beans, if you want!
  
• Serve with black beans, pinto beans, ranch-style beans, or fat-free beans and Fiesta Rice (see recipes)
  
• For a spicy pie, use a can of Rotel tomatoes in addition to salsa. The easiest way to spread Rotel tomotes is to mix them in with the meat.
  
• Use prepared cresent rolls or bisquick mix instead of tortillas.
  
• Try nacho cheese inside the pie instead of shredded cheese. (Think Cheesy Beef and Bean burrito!)
• Make low fat by using low-fat cheese and smaller tortillas (or carb-smart tortillas).
  

This is probably going to become the NEW favorite for quick Mexican food in my house! It's not as fast as Tortilla pie, but it's so yummy.

Got your own Mexican? Talk to me!