Chicos Tacos Recipe To Make At Home, Easy Copycat

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Chico’s Tacos, hailing from the border town of El Paso, Texas, captures the true taste of Tex-Mex cuisine! My version of this hearty recipe stays true to the original concept, featuring flautas soaked in a savory tomato-based broth, covered in loads of cheese, and topped with a touch of tangy green salsa.

A table with ingredients: ground beef, diced potatoes, tortillas, and cheese. A pot of simmering red sauce on the stove

Key Takeaways

  • Chico’s Tacos is a comforting Tex-Mex classic that combines simple ingredients with bold flavors.
  • The recipe has a rich tomato-based sauce, crisply fried flautas, and a cheese topping.
  • Salsa and rice can complement the main dish for a complete meal.

Ingredients List

A table displays ingredients: ground beef, corn tortillas, shredded cheese, tomato, lettuce, and hot sauce for Chico's Tacos recipe

To create an authentic Chicos Tacos dish, I gather fresh, organic ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:

For the Beef Taquitos:

  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Garlic powder, 1 tsp
  • 12-15 white corn tortillas
  • Canola oil for frying

Tomato Sauce (for the Beef Taquitos):

  • 2 cups of water
  • 6 ripe tomatoes, quartered
  • 1/2 onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped (optional for heat)
  • 1/2 tomatillo, chopped
  • 1 tbsp tomato sauce
  • Salt, to taste

For the Cheese Sauce:

  • 2 cups of shredded cheese (I prefer sharp cheddar cheese)
  • 1/4 cup of milk (add more if needed for consistency)

For Garnishing:

  • Green salsa or green sauce
  • Additional shredded cheese

To prepare my taquitos, I start with the beef filling by seasoning ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder before cooking thoroughly.

Next, I lightly fry the corn tortillas in canola oil to make them pliable for rolling.

Once filled with beef and rolled, I fry the taquitos until they’re crisp and golden.

For the sauce, I blend boiled tomatoes, onion, garlic, and jalapeños with tomatillo, adding tomato sauce and salt to taste.

The result is a smooth, flavorful sauce to pour over the taquitos.

Finally, for the cheese sauce, I gently melt shredded cheese with milk, stirring until it’s a creamy consistency perfect for drizzling or dipping.

With these ingredients prepared, I assemble the dish by ladling the sauce over the taquitos, topping them with generous amounts of cheese, and topping it with a scoop of green salsa.

Preparation Guide

Meat Seasoning and Cooking

Always choose lean, grass-fed ground beef for a delicious and healthier protein. I season it generously with a blend of spices, ensuring it’s well-coated for a deep, rich flavor.

Cooking the beef is straightforward:

  1. Heat a skillet and brown the beef until it’s no longer pink, usually taking about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Drain any excess fat and add chicken bouillon to infuse the meat with added savoriness.

Assembling Tacos

  • Lay out the corn tortillas and place about 1/4 cup of the seasoned beef in the center of each one.
  • Roll the tortillas tightly to form taquitos, sealing them with toothpicks if necessary to keep from unrolling.
  • Using hot oil, fry the taquitos until they are crisp and golden, which takes about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Sauce Making

  1. Boil: Combine whole tomatoes, tomatillos, jalapeno salsa, green chiles, and a garlic clove in a pot and bring to a boil.
  2. Blend: After letting the ingredients soften, transfer the concoction into a blender and puree them to a smooth consistency.
  3. Simmer: Pour the blend back into the pot and let it simmer for a few minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together for a flawless finish.

Cooking and Frying

Chicos tacos sizzle in hot oil, as they are carefully flipped and fried to a golden crisp. The aroma of seasoned meat and melting cheese fills the air

Taco Frying Techniques

When frying beef taquitos, I ensure that they’re enveloped in heat evenly. This means using enough oil to deep fry them.

I place the taquitos in the hot oil carefully to prevent the oil from splashing.

I prefer to use frozen beef taquitos for a more convenient process, but homemade beef taquitos can deliver a level of authenticity that’s unbeatable.

I fry them until they’re golden and crisp, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

Final Steps

Once the taquitos are fried to perfection, I put them in the simmering tomato broth.

I let it soak just long enough to infuse the flavors without losing the crispness.

Last, I serve them topped with shredded cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and green salsa. Yum!

A table set with chicos tacos, rice, beans, and salsa

Traditional Sides

Spanish Rice: A staple in Mexican cuisine, Spanish rice complements the savory taste.

Refried Beans: Offer a creamy texture and are packed with nutritional value.

Additional Toppings

Guacamole: The creaminess and mild taste of avocados, along with cilantro and a hint of lime, tie all the flavors together.

Vegetable Toppings:

  • Lettuce: Adds a crisp freshness to each bite.
  • Fresh Jalapeños: Slice them thinly for those who favor an extra kick.
  • Cilantro: Brightens the overall flavor.

Dairy Toppings:

  • Sour Cream: A dollop can soften the heat and bring a tangy note.
  • Shredded Cheese: Jack and Cheddar go nicely together and melt great!
Chicos Tacos Copycat - Taquito Style
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Chicos Tacos Copycat – Taquito Style

Recipe by thisrecipelifeCourse: LunchCuisine: Tex-MexDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

15

minutes

Creating a homemade Chicos Tacos dish can turn any lunch into a festive celebration!

Ingredients

  • Beef Taquitos Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • Season with salt, pepper, and 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 12-15 white corn tortillas

  • Canola oil for frying

  • Tomato Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water

  • 6 ripe tomatoes, quartered

  • 1/2 onion, roughly chopped

  • 2 garlic cloves

  • 1 jalapeño, chopped (optional for extra spice)

  • 1/2 tomatillo, chopped

  • 1 tbsp tomato sauce

  • Salt to taste

  • Cheese Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar recommended)

  • 1/4 cup milk (adjust for desired consistency)

  • For Garnishing:

  • Green salsa or sauce

  • Extra shredded cheese

Directions

  • In a skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Once cooked, set aside.
  • In a blender, combine the water, tomatoes, onion, garlic, jalapeño, tomatillo, tomato sauce, and salt. Blend until smooth.
  • Pour the tomato mixture into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
  • In a separate saucepan, melt the shredded cheese with milk over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Add more milk if needed for a creamy consistency.
  • Warm the corn tortillas in a separate skillet to make them pliable. Place a spoonful of the cooked ground beef onto each tortilla and roll them up tightly.
  • In a deep skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Carefully place the rolled taquitos into the hot oil and fry until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  • To serve, place the fried taquitos on a plate, spoon the tomato sauce over them, drizzle with the cheese sauce, and garnish with green salsa and additional shredded cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, I’ve gathered some of the most common questions about making Chicos tacos at home.

How can I make authentic Chicos tacos at home?

To make authentic Chicos tacos at home, start by preparing beef taquitos. Then, drench them in a flavorful tomato-based broth and top with a sprinkle of finely shredded cheese. Serve the taquitos in a small tray or bowl to replicate the iconic presentation.

What is the recipe for Chicos Tacos red sauce?

The red sauce for Chicos tacos is a tomato-based broth with a blend of onions, garlic, and spices. Some recipes suggest adding chilies for heat. Simmer these ingredients until the flavors meld, creating a savory sauce characteristic of the Chicos Tacos.

Can you provide an easy-to-follow recipe for Chicos tacos?

For an easy-to-follow Chicos tacos recipe, you’ll need to fry corn tortillas filled with ground beef. Then, soak the crispy taquitos in a homemade red sauce, top with shredded cheese, and serve them warm, mimicking the iconic dish from Chicos Tacos.

What ingredients do I need for the traditional Chicos tacos green salsa?

The traditional Chicos tacos green salsa requires tomatillos, jalapeños, onions, and garlic. Blending these ingredients creates a tangy and spicy salsa that complements the tacos, and it’s simple to prepare at home.

How do the Chicos tacos served in the restaurant differ from homemade versions?

Chicos tacos served in the restaurant often have a unique flavor profile that comes from proprietary ingredient ratios or cooking techniques. Homemade versions might vary based on individual ingredient choices or preparation methods but can come close to the original with careful attention to detail.

What is the history behind Chicos Tacos and who created them?

Chicos Tacos was founded in 1953 by Joe Mora in El Paso, Texas. The small chain of restaurants quickly gained a reputation for its distinctive rolled tacos soaked in tomato-based sauce. Over the years, it became a beloved regional staple.