Cheesy Baked Chicken and Veggie Taquitos

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup finely grated carrot
• 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen, thawed)
• 1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mild chili powder (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 small flour tortillas (6-8 inch size)
• Cooking spray or 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup mild salsa (for dipping)
• 1/4 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional, for serving)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, grated carrot, chopped spinach, corn, and red bell pepper. Add garlic powder, chili powder (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Warm the tortillas slightly in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds to make them pliable.
4. Place about 1/4 cup of the chicken and veggie mixture onto one edge of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla tightly to encase the filling and place seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
5. Lightly spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray or brush with olive oil to help them crisp up while baking.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the tortillas are golden brown and crispy.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
8. Serve warm with mild salsa and optional sour cream or Greek yogurt on the side for dipping.

Chef tips

• For extra crispiness, use corn tortillas instead of flour, but warm them carefully to avoid cracking.
• If you don’t have cooked chicken on hand, use diced cooked rotisserie chicken or canned chicken.
• Feel free to swap the veggies to what your kids like best, such as zucchini, peas, or finely diced mushrooms.
• To make it dairy-free, substitute the cheese with a plant-based cheese and serve with guacamole instead of sour cream.