BBQ Chicken Baked Taquitos Paired with Merlot
These BBQ Chicken Baked Taquitos are so easy to make for guests, and when paired with a juicy Merlot, they taste even better.
If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer to serve for Super Bowl Sunday, or any game day party, look no further than these chicken taquitos. Plus, who said game day parties are for beer-drinkers only? Merlot is an easy-drinking, affordable wine that’s sure to impress your guests.
Keep reading this post to find the full recipe, learn some fun facts about Merlot, and discover why this food and wine pairing works so well.
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These BBQ Chicken Baked Taquitos paired with Merlot are the best Super Bowl Sunday snacks. They come together in under 30 minutes, and with the called-for ingredients already pre-cooked, all you have to do is assemble the taquitos, bake, and enjoy.
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about merlot
Originally from France’s Bordeaux, Merlot is most famous for being the main player in wines of the region’s Right Bank. Here, it’s often blended with its counterpart, Cabernet Sauvignon, along with Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, to create award-winning wines.
While Merlot can add roundness and fresh aromas of red fruits to blends, it also packs a punch on its own, and frankly, doesn’t get enough credit for it.
Have you ever heard of the Sideways Effect? The 2004 film Sideways, based in California’s Santa Ynez Valley, exhaustingly bashed Merlot, emphasizing Pinot Noir’s superiority as a grape. However, the irony here is after trashing Merlot for the entirety of the film, Paul Giamatti’s character opens a treasured 1961 Chateau Cheval Blanc St. Emilion Grand Cru from Bordeaux’s Right Bank…which is, you guessed it, a blend of predominately Merlot.
The problem is, most viewers didn’t seem to catch onto this irony, and the movie has unfortunately had a lasting effect on Merlot’s popularity in the U.S. especially, forcing some landowners to pull up their Merlot vines and replace them with Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon.
Needless to say, I think it’s time for Merlot to make a comeback. It’s a food-friendly, crowd-pleasing wine that’s medium-to-full-bodied, with smooth tannins, and notes of plush red cherries, plums, and chocolate.
Merlot to try:
Why this pairing works
Merlot is an ideal red wine for pairing with white meat like chicken because its medium body and medium tannins won’t be too overpowering for lighter fare.
This wine is fruit-forward, with notes of red cherries, plums, vanilla, and licorice. This fruity profile matches well with the sweet tanginess of the barbecue sauce, and when paired together, the wine becomes even smoother and more sip-able.
If you’re a visual learner, you might enjoy this step-by-step video on how to make this BBQ Chicken Baked Taquitos recipe:
ingredients
Makes 12 small taquitos.
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (hack: grab a rotisserie chicken and shred it up!)
1/2 cup bbq sauce (plus more for garnish)
1/2 cup corn
1/2 cup black beans
1 cup shredded cheese
1/2 cup green onions, sliced (plus more for garnish)
12 small flour tortillas
Avocado oil spray
Ranch for dipping (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425 F.
Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Spray with non-stick cooking spray.
To a mixing bowl, add chicken, bbq sauce, corn, beans, cheese, and green onions. Stir to combine.
Fill each tortilla with about 2 tbsp of filling and roll into a taquito shape. Place on baking sheet and spray with avocado oil.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until tortillas turn golden brown.
Top with more BBQ sauce & green onions. Serve with ranch for dipping.
If you enjoyed this post, check out my linguine with clams recipe and wine pairing here.
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