El Monterey Extra Crunchy Southwest Chicken Taquitos 18ct
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
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
Dietary Labels
Ultra-Processing Assessment
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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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.
