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Air Fryer Chicken Tacos Recipe

4.6 from 107 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Tacos made with shredded chicken, a creamy cheese filling, and a zesty avocado-lime dipping sauce. These quick and easy tacos are perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or casual gathering, offering a delicious twist with air frying for a perfectly golden and crunchy shell.

Ingredients

Scale

Tortillas and Filling

  • 8 small (6-inch) corn tortillas
  • 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 1 packet (approximately 1 ounce) taco seasoning
  • 2 cups cooked and finely shredded chicken breast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Avocado-Lime Dipping Sauce

  • 1 small ripe avocado
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup water (more if needed)

Optional Toppings

  • Diced tomatoes
  • Shredded lettuce
  • Sour cream

Instructions

  1. Warm the Tortillas: Heat 8 small corn tortillas slightly to make them flexible and prevent breaking. This can be done by warming each tortilla in a dry skillet for 10-15 seconds per side or microwaving a stack of tortillas wrapped in a damp paper towel for about 20 seconds.
  2. Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, mash 1/4 cup softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in 1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, 1 packet taco seasoning, and 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast. Mix well until the filling is creamy and combined.
  3. Assemble the Tacos: Lay each tortilla flat on a clean surface. Spoon approximately 1/4 cup of the chicken cheese mixture onto one half of the tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges. Fold the tortilla in half to create a pocket and secure the opening with a toothpick to hold the shape.
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the tacos.
  5. Brush with Olive Oil: Lightly brush both sides of each folded taco with 1 tablespoon of olive oil to help crisp the tortillas during air frying.
  6. Air Fry Tacos: Place as many tacos as will comfortably fit in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. If necessary, cook in batches. Air fry for 6-8 minutes, flipping the tacos halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and crispy.
  7. Prepare the Avocado-Lime Dipping Sauce: While the tacos are cooking, add the small ripe avocado, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 chopped garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 cup water into a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add more water as needed to reach your desired dipping sauce consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  8. Serve: Remove the toothpicks from the tacos and serve immediately. Offer the creamy avocado-lime dipping sauce alongside, and optionally garnish with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and sour cream for added freshness and flavor.

Notes

  • Warming the tortillas before assembly helps prevent cracking when folding.
  • You can use leftover rotisserie chicken or freshly cooked chicken breasts for the filling.
  • The dipping sauce can be adjusted for thickness by varying the amount of water added.
  • For spicier tacos, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or jalapeño to the filling or sauce.
  • Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow even cooking and crisping.
  • Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but may lose crispiness.

Keywords: air fryer chicken tacos, crispy chicken tacos, easy chicken tacos, avocado lime dipping sauce, Mexican tacos, quick dinner, healthy tacos