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El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken Taquitos 18ct
Frozen Foods
📊 NOVA 4

El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken Taquitos 18ct

El Monterey
20.70 oz
Available at Foodtown
240
Calories
8g
Protein
380mg
Sodium
1g
Fiber
218
Ingredients

What You Should Know

El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken Taquitos are a frozen appetizer/snack you’ll find in the supermarket’s frozen foods aisle, shelved with other frozen Mexican entrees, taquitos, burritos and party appetizers. Packaged in a brightly colored cardboard box with a sealed plastic bag inside, the product appeals to shoppers looking for quick, heat-and-serve options — often placed near value-oriented frozen brands and family-size snacks. These taquitos position themselves as bold-flavored, convenient freezer staples for busy households: marketed toward parents, kids and snackers who want an easy “Mexican-style” treat without cooking from scratch. The branding leans on indulgence (“extra crunchy,” “southwest”) rather than health; label copy highlights flavor and convenience and may mention being “protein-packed,” but there are no organic or natural-certification claims. The ingredient list includes multiple industrial ingredients and processed cheese blends, so in plain language this is a highly processed frozen convenience food made from pre-cooked, battered and seasoned components. Sensory notes: the shell is meant to be crisp and flaky when reheated (microwave for speed, air fryer for crunch), giving way to a warm, cheesy, savory filling of seasoned chicken, beans and peppers with a hint of jalapeño heat and smoky notes. Typical rituals include heating a few for a family snack, serving on a party platter with salsa, guacamole or ranch, or packing a leftover for a quick lunch. The product fits into American freezer-cupboard culture as a quick, crowd-pleasing convenience item rather than a fresh-cooked meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 3
Servings per Container: 6
Calories240
% Daily Value*
Total Fat11g14%
Saturated Fat3g15%
Cholesterol15mg5%
Sodium380mg17%
Total Carbohydrate26g9%
Dietary Fiber1g4%
Protein8g
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Ingredients

Water,, Enriched, Wheat, Flour:, Enriched, Wheat, Flour, (Enriched, with, Niacin,, Reduced, Iron,, Thiamin, Mononitrate,, Riboflavin,, Folic, Acid),, Vegetable, Oil, (Soybean,, Canola, and/or, Corn, Oil),, Batter, Seasoning, (Yellow, Corn, Flour,, Enriched, Wheat, Flour, [Enriched, with, Niacin,, Reduced, Iron,, Thiamine, Mononitrate,, Riboflavin,, Folic, Acid],, Spices,, Salt,, Jalapeno, Pepper,, Leavening, [Sodium, Acid, Pyrophosphate,, Sodium, Bicarbonate],, Guar, Gum,, Oleoresin, Paprika, and, Turmeric,, Flavors),, Pasteurized, Process, Monterey, Jack, and, American, Cheese, Blend, with, Peppers:, Pasteurized, Process, Monterey, Jack, and, American, Cheese, Blend, with, Peppers, (Jack, and, American, Cheese, [Milk,, Cheese, Culture,, Salt,, Enzymes],, Water,, Skim, Milk,, Palm, Oil,, Sodium, Phosphates,, Modified, Food, Starch,, Peppers, [Red,, Green, and, Jalapeno, Peppers],, Salt,, Lactic, Acid),, Low, Moisture, Mozzarella, Cheese:, Low, Moisture, Mozzarella, Cheese, (Pasteurized, Milk,, Cheese, Cultures,, Salt,, Enzymes),, Cooked, Chicken:, Cooked, Chicken, (Chicken,, Water,, Modified, Food, Starch,, Salt,, Sodium, Phosphate),, Cooked, Black, Beans, (Water,, Black, Beans),, Pasteurized, Process, Cheddar, Cheese:, Pasteurized, Process, Cheddar, Cheese, (Cheddar, Cheese, [Milk,, Cheese, Culture,, Salt,, Enzymes],, Water,, Contains, 2%, or, Less, Sodium, Phosphate,, Milkfat,, Sodium, Hexametaphosphate,, Salt,, Vegetable, Color, [Annatto, and, Paprika, Oleoresin]),, Spinach,, Red, Bell, Pepper,, Corn,, Contains, 2%, or, Less, Modified, Corn, Starch,, Jalapeno, Pepper, (with, Salt,, Acetic, Acid,, Calcium, Chloride),, Cilantro,, Salt,, Spices,, Garlic, (with, Citric, Acid),, Chili, Pepper,, Smoke, Powder, (Maltodextrin,, Natural, Hickory, Smoke, Flavor),, Dough, Conditioners, (Yeast,, Wheat, Gluten,, Sugar,, Guar, Gum,, Modified, Food, Starch)..

Flagged Ingredients:

  • Soybean Oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
  • Canola Oil - Seed oil high in omega-6 fatty acids
  • Sodium Phosphates - Processed emulsifier
  • Sodium Phosphate - Synthetic preservative
  • Annatto - Artificial coloring
  • Paprika Oleoresin - Artificial coloring
No Seed OilNo EmulsifierNo PreservativeNo Additive

Dietary Labels

This product is not vegan, is not gluten-free, and is not organic.

Ultra-Processing Assessment

NOVA Score:4 / 4

Ultra-Processed

Why this score?

Contains multiple industrial ingredients and formulations (processed cheese blends, modified starches, emulsifiers, leavening agents, dough conditioners, flavorings) and is a ready-to-heat frozen product, matching the criteria for ultra-processed foods.

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Others also viewed

Common Questions about El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken Taquitos 18ct

Healthy is a bit of a gray area, right? These taquitos pack a decent protein punch with 8 grams per serving, but they're also a bit heavy on sodium at 380 mg. If you’re looking for a quick meal option, they can definitely fit into a balanced diet, especially if you pair them with a side of veggies or a salad.

Perfect For

game-day-prep
movie-night
back-to-school

Vibe:

convenientindulgentnostalgiccomforting
$NaN
per package