Car dinner
Crunchy little rolls that travel without falling apart on a busy drive.
Your kid grabs a taquito from the cupholder container and crunches into it without dripping a thing on the seat.
They bake up crisp, they stand up in the box, and the salsa stays in its own sealed cup until you park.
Ingredients
Makes about 12 taquitos for car dinner chicken taquitos, with about 35 minutes built into the plan.
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 12 small corn or flour tortillas
- 2 tablespoons oil, for brushing
How to Make It
Make car dinner chicken taquitos in order, then stop the minute dinner is ready to serve or pack.
- Heat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix the chicken, cream cheese, shredded cheese, cumin, chili powder, and salt until well combined.
- Warm the tortillas briefly so they roll without cracking, about 20 seconds in the microwave under a damp towel.
- Spoon a line of filling onto each tortilla and roll it up tight, then set it seam side down on the sheet.
- Brush the tops with oil and bake 15 to 18 minutes until golden and crisp. Cool before packing.
Pack It Cold and Tidy
Chicken and cheese fillings need to stay cold once the taquitos cool, so pack them on ice for the drive.
- Cool the taquitos fully, then pack them against two ice packs
- Keep cold food at 40F or below, and do not leave it out longer than 2 hours
- They taste great at room temp, so just eat within that 2-hour window
What Stays Crisp (and What Gets Soggy)
These bake up crunchy; a little care keeps them that way in the car.
- Cool them on a rack, not stacked, so trapped steam does not soften them
- Pack the salsa or guacamole in a sealed cup, never poured over
- Stand them upright in a container so they do not get crushed
- Serve with: salsa for dipping, a side of corn
Parent Tip
Bake these the morning of; they crisp best fresh and travel well once fully cooled.
Make It Fit Tonight
Small Tweaks That Help This Dinner Land
Add black beans
Mash a few into the filling for extra fiber and a heartier taquito.
Make them beef
Swap in seasoned ground beef for a different filling kids know.
Go mild
Leave out the chili powder for the kid who likes things plain.
Use corn tortillas
They bake up extra crisp and keep these naturally gluten-free.
Add green chiles
A spoonful of diced green chiles adds mild flavor without much heat.
Plan The Next Step
Plan the on-the-road nights
Use the planner to mark the evenings where dinner has to happen between two stops.