Crispy fried taquitos drowned in a rich tomato and chile sauce, Jalisco-style. This family-friendly dish combines satisfying crunch with a tangy, flavorful sauce for a unique texture experience.
Prep the sauce: Toast the guajillo chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute per side until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
Simmer the tomatoes, toasted chiles, onion, and garlic in a saucepan with 2 cups water over medium-high heat until the tomatoes soften (about 10 minutes).
Blend the softened vegetables and chiles with their cooking liquid, half the salt, cumin, oregano, and black pepper until smooth.
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a saucepan over medium and simmer the blended sauce for 8–10 minutes, adjusting seasoning if needed. Keep warm.
To assemble taquitos: Warm the tortillas briefly on a skillet to make pliable. Fill each with a few tablespoons of shredded chicken (and optional refried beans), then roll tightly and secure with a toothpick.
Heat the remaining oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the taquitos in batches, turning to crisp on all sides, 2–3 minutes per batch. Drain on a rack or paper towels.
To serve: Place fried taquitos on plates and ladle the hot chile-tomato sauce generously over them. Serve immediately for the signature texture contrast.