Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
Introduction
These Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavorful shredded chicken. Perfect for a quick snack or a casual meal, they come together easily and cook up golden in your air fryer.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tablespoon canned green chiles
- 1 tablespoon chipotle sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 15 corn tortillas
- 1 cup Mexican blend cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese (shredded)
- Cooking spray
- Optional toppings: guacamole, queso fresco, salsa, Mexican crema, pico de gallo, chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream cheese, chipotle sauce, green chiles, salt, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Step 2: Place the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a towel. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds until warm and pliable. If needed, heat for an additional 10–15 seconds.
- Step 3: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
- Step 4: Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the chicken filling along the edge of one tortilla. Sprinkle about a heaping tablespoon of each shredded cheese on top of the filling, then roll the tortilla up tightly.
- Step 5: Place each filled tortilla seam-side-down in the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer without touching. If needed, cook in batches.
- Step 6: Lightly spray the tops of the taquitos with cooking spray. Air fry for 5 minutes.
- Step 7: Carefully flip the taquitos, spray again with cooking spray, and air fry for an additional 2 minutes or until they are golden and crispy.
- Step 8: Remove the cooked taquitos and repeat with any remaining rolls.
- Step 9: Arrange the taquitos on a serving plate and garnish with your choice of guacamole, queso fresco, salsa, Mexican crema, pico de gallo, or chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crispiness, lightly brush tortillas with a small amount of oil before filling.
- Try adding diced jalapeños or swapping the chicken for shredded beef or pork for variety.
- If tortillas crack easily, warming them slightly longer in the microwave helps them roll without breaking.
- Use a toothpick to secure rolled taquitos if they tend to unravel in the air fryer.
Storage
Store leftover taquitos in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving to keep them crispy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use flour tortillas instead of corn?
Yes, flour tortillas work well and tend to be more pliable, making rolling easier. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! The chicken mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance and refrigerated until ready to assemble the taquitos.
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Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 15 taquitos 1x
Description
These crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos are a perfect party appetizer or a delicious snack. Filled with a mix of shredded chicken, cream cheese, chipotle sauce, green chiles, and a blend of spices, wrapped in warm, pliable corn tortillas, and topped with melted Mexican and pepper jack cheeses, they deliver a spicy, smoky taste with a satisfying crunch. Air frying them ensures a healthier alternative to deep frying, while still achieving perfect crispiness. Served with guacamole, salsa, queso fresco, Mexican crema, pico de gallo, and chopped cilantro, these taquitos make a vibrant and crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Filling
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon canned green chiles
- 1 tablespoon chipotle sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Tortillas and Cheese
- 15 corn tortillas
- 1 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
Other
- Cooking spray
- Guacamole (for serving)
- Queso fresco (for garnish)
- Salsa (for serving)
- Mexican crema (for serving)
- Pico de gallo (for serving)
- Chopped cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Mix the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, softened cream cheese, chipotle sauce, canned green chiles, salt, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is creamy and evenly seasoned.
- Warm the tortillas: Place the corn tortillas on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a clean kitchen towel. Microwave for 30 seconds to make them warm and pliable. If they are still stiff, heat for an additional 10-15 seconds to ensure they are easy to roll without cracking.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and allow it to preheat properly. This ensures the taquitos will cook evenly and become crispy.
- Assemble the taquitos: Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the chicken filling along one edge of a warmed tortilla. Sprinkle about one heaping tablespoon each of Mexican blend cheese and pepper jack cheese over the filling. Carefully roll the tortilla tightly around the filling, sealing the edge.
- Place in air fryer basket: Arrange each filled tortilla seam-side-down in the air fryer basket. Make sure to place them in a single layer without touching to ensure even cooking. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.
- Spray and cook: Lightly spray the top of the taquitos with cooking spray. Air fry for 5 minutes, then carefully flip each taquito, spray again with cooking spray on the exposed side, and air fry for an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until the taquitos are golden brown and crispy.
- Cook remaining taquitos: Remove the cooked taquitos from the basket and place them on a plate. Repeat the air frying steps with any remaining rolled taquitos until all are cooked.
- Serve and garnish: Arrange the crispy chicken taquitos on a serving platter. Garnish with desired toppings such as guacamole, queso fresco, salsa, Mexican crema, pico de gallo, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- To make rolling easier, warm the tortillas before filling to prevent cracking.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle sauce according to your spice preference.
- You can substitute shredded rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
- If your air fryer basket is small, cook the taquitos in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Serve with extra dipping sauces for more flavor and variety.
- For a crispier texture, you can add a light dusting of cooking spray after flipping the taquitos.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos, crispy chicken taquitos, easy taquitos recipe, Mexican appetizers, chipotle chicken taquitos, healthy fried chicken alternative
