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Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos
5 from 24 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos feature shredded chicken combined with softened cream cheese, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and spices rolled inside soft corn tortillas. The tortillas are warmed to increase pliability before filling and rolling. Air frying crisps the exterior while keeping the filling creamy and spicy. Optional garnishes like Mexican crema, pico de gallo, avocado, and cilantro add fresh and cool elements to the crunchy taquitos.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
8 mins
Servings: 15 servings
Calories: 241 kcal
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

Chicken Taquitos
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened very well to room temp*
  • 2 chipotle in adobo sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika regular paprika may be substituted
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups chicken cooked shredded
  • 2 cups Mexican shredded cheese blend
  • 15 corn tortillas
Garnishes (all optional)
  • Mexican crema thinned with drops of milk if desired, or sour cream
  • salsa
  • Pico de Gallo
  • avocado or guacamole
  • cilantro

Instructions

Chicken Taquitos
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat an XL air fryer or similar sized air fryer to 400F (or preheat an oven to 375F and spray a baking sheet with nonstick spray); set aside.
  2. To a large bowl, add the cream cheese, chipotles in adobo sauce, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Alternatively, if preferred you can use a handheld electric mixture but if your cream cheese is well softened, this shouldn't be necessary.
  3. Add the shredded chicken and mix to combine.
  4. Add the shredded cheese and mix to combine; set aside.
  5. Place the tortillas on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a thin dishtowel, and heat on high power for 30 seconds. The tortillas should now be soft and pliable and less prone to ripping or tearing. If not, heat in additional 10-second bursts until they are soft.
  6. Keep the softened tortillas under the dishtowel, and grab one tortilla, one-at-at-time, adding about 2 tablespoons of filling mixture vertically down one side, and roll it tightly to form a taquito.
  7. Repeat with about 7 to 8 tortillas and then place the 7 or 8 taquitos in the basket of an XL air fryer, not touching, and not crowded. Reduce the load in order to not touch or not crowd them.
  8. Spray them lightly with olive oil cooking spray or another neutral oil such as grape seed and/or with an oil mister.
  9. Air fry for 5 minutes.***
  10. Remove the basket, flip over the taquitos with a tongs, spray them again lightly with olive oil cooking spray, return the basket to the air fryer, and air fry for an additional 2 to 5 minutes. Check after 2 minutes to see how they look. Since all air fryers are a bit different, make sure your taquitos have crisped up but aren't burning.
Garnishes
  1. Garnish with or add Mexican crema or sour cream (thin it if desired with a few drops of milk), salsa, pico de gallo, avocado or guacamole, or cilantro as desired.
  2. Storage and reheating: Air fryer chicken taquitos are best hot and fresh out of the air fryer. They become soggier as time passes. Reheating is possible by placing them in the air fryer again for 1-2 minutes to help encourage them to crisp up again although it's not quite the same. Technically they'll keep airtight for up to 5 days in the fridge or for up to 4 months in the freezer, although fresh is best.

Notes

  • Ensure cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature for easy mixing; plan ahead by setting it out at least one hour before preparation.
  • Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for creamier flavor and texture, though reduced-fat versions may be used with possible texture differences.
  • Store-bought rotisserie chicken works well for this recipe, but leftover grilled, poached, or baked chicken can be used as an alternative.
  • To bake instead of air-fry, cook taquitos at 375°F for approximately 15 minutes, flipping once if desired; monitor for doneness as cooking times may vary by oven.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 241kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 14g (5%) Protein 13g (26%) Fat 15g (23%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 7g (41%) Cholesterol 52mg (17%) Sodium 262mg (11%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 15 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 241

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 241kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 14g 5%
Protein 13g 26%
Fat 15g 23%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 7g 41%
Cholesterol 52mg 17%
Sodium 262mg 11%
Fiber 3g 12%
Sugar 1g 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.