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    Home » Recipes » Main Dish

    Air Fryer Chicken Tacos

    Published: Jan 25, 2022 by Nicole · This post may contain affiliate links · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    air fryer chicken tacos on a plate.

    These air fryer chicken tacos are juicy, flavorful, and quick and easy to make! I used the Ninja Foodi but you can use any air fryer. Delicious tender chicken with cheese, avocado, shredded lettuce tomatoes and sour cream wrapped in your favorite tortilla, these are an instant hit! After marinating, they can be made in under 30 minutes.

    air fryer chicken tacos with bowls of chicken, tomatoes and limes.
    Air fryer chicken tacos

    This was inspired by our roasted cauliflower and black bean tacos and pairs well with this delicious cilantro lime guacamole. For another fun taco variation try our jerk chicken tacos. Or try another easy air fryer meal of Air Fryer Quesadillas.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • 2 Options for Serving:
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Recipe

    Ingredients

    chicken, sour cream, avocadoes, lime juice, cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes, taco seasoning, tortillas
    Ingredients for air fryer chicken tacos
    • raw chicken breasts, thighs or rotisserie chicken*(see substitution section on how to make with shredded rotisserie chicken)
    • tortillas of choice
    • toppings of choice
      • suggested:
      • cheese
      • shredded lettuce
      • sour cream/ greek yogurt
      • guacamole
      • chopped tomatoes
      • cilantro
      • salsa of choice
    • ⅓ cup lime juice
    • olive oil

    For the taco seasoning:

    • chili powder
    • cumin
    • paprika
    • garlic powder
    • onion powder
    • crushed red pepper flakes
    • dried oregano
    • corn starch
    • salt
    • pepper

    -OR- 2 packages taco seasoning

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    First, marinate the chicken. Cut chicken into 1 inch or smaller pieces and place in a bowl. Add all taco seasonings in a bowl and stir with a whisk until well blended. Place lime juice in bowl of chicken and stir to coat. Sprinkle the taco seasoning into the bowl and stir until evenly coated. Refrigerate 2-24 hours. The tacos can be made immediately, but the flavor will not be as full.

    raw meat in a bowl seasoned with taco seasoning and lime juice.
    taco seasoning and lime marinade for chicken

    Preheat air fryer to 375*F. I use the Ninja Foodi XL for our chicken tacos, which I love because it has plenty of space for anything I'm air frying and has great versatility. Use a brush and coat the bottom of the basket with vegetable or avocado oil. The smoke point of olive oil is too low, don't use it! Spread the marinated chicken across the bottom of the basket. If your air fryer is small you may need to cook in 2 batches.

    raw taco chicken in an air fryer basket.
    taco and lime seasoned chicken in the air fryer

    Cook for 6 minutes, then flip the pieces of chicken. Stirring them well and spreading them back out also works.

    Cook and additional 6 minutes then check for doneness. The internal temperature of chicken should reach 165* F. Check your thickest pieces to ensure they are done! Cook and additional 2-3 minutes if needed.

    2 Options for Serving:

    1- Assemble Like a Normal Taco:

    Spread the meat on the tortilla, top with veggies, sour cream and cheese, then fold into a taco.

    tortillas with chicken and cheese, chicken and tomatoes and cilantro in bowls.
    Assembling air fryer chicken tacos

    2- Air Fry the Entire Taco (our favorite!)

    Place the meat and cheese on half the taco. Air fry at 400* for 30 seconds.

    tortillas with chicken and cheese on them in an air fryer basket.
    air frying chicken and cheese for air fryer tacos

    Fold the taco so that the meat and cheese are inside the shell, but on the upper half. This will weigh down the tortilla and keep it folded. Air fry for 2 minutes, flip and air fry for 90 seconds.

    Remove from air fryer and peel apart the taco and put toppings on. Serve immediately. This was our favorite way to eat them. They are crunchy and melty and flavorful and just absolutely delicious! Not as pretty as the normal assembly, but so tasty!

    air fryer chicken tacos on a plate with a lime and cilantro.
    air fryer chicken tacos cooked in the NINJA FOODI air fryer

    Substitutions

    • Rotisserie Chicken- Instead of raw chicken feel free to use a shredded rotisserie chicken. Marinade as directed above. Air fry at 375 for 3 minutes or until hot, turning the meat at minute 2. Do everything else as directed above.
    • Taco or other seasoning- while we highly recommend the homemade taco seasoning for the optimal flavor, 1 ½ packets of taco seasoning or other flavored seasoning such as Fajita will work too.

    Variations

    • Spicy - add jalapenos or serranos, or our favorite hot sauce.
    • Deluxe - add guacamole, refried beans and/or pico de gallo.

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer, we recommend the NINJA FOODI but any will do

    Storage

    Store ingredients unassembled and separately in air tight containers in the refirgerator for up to 5 days. Reheat meat and assemble as desired.

    Meat can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.

    Top tip

    Marinading takes time. The longer the chicken can marinate the better. Start it marinating in the morning before work, or the evening before or even 2 hours earlier if possible.

     

    Recipe

    air fryer chicken tacos on a plate with bowls of tomatoes and chicken

    Air Fryer Chicken Tacos

    Nicole
    Air fryer chicken tacos are juicy, flavorful and quick & easy to make! Tortillas stuffed with tender chicken, cheese and your favorite toppings make these the perfect weeknight meal.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories/serving 329 kcal

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 pounds raw chicken breasts or thighs **See Notes for Rotisserie option
    • ⅓ cup lime juice
    • tortillas of choice. I used white corn tortillas

    For the taco seasoning:

    • 2 teaspoons chili powder
    • 2 teaspoons cumin
    • 1 teaspoon corn starch
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • ¾ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • *1 ½ packets of taco seasoning may be used instead but in our opinion doesn't taste quite as good*

    Topping of choice:

    • shredded cheese
    • shredded lettuce
    • tomatoes
    • sour cream
    • guacamole
    • cilantro
    • lime wedges
    • avocado or vegetable oil for brushing air fryer basket

    Instructions
     

    • Cut chicken into 1 inch chunks and place in a bowl. Pour lime juice on chicken and stir to combine. Combine taco seasoning ingredients in a small bowl then pour on chicken and stir to combine. Allow to marinate 2-24 hours.
    • Preheat air fryer to 375* F. 
    • Lightly brush avocado or vegetable oil on the air fryer basket. Spread marinaded chicken across the bottom of the basket in a single layer.
    • Cook for 6 minutes then flip and stir the chicken. Cook an additional 6 minutes then check for doneness. The internal temperature should reach 165*F. Check the thickest pieces for doneness. Cook until done, checking every 1 minute so it doesn't overcook and get tough.

    2 options for serving:

    • 1- Assemble like a normal taco! Place chicken, cheese and desired toppings then fold the tortilla around the filling and eat!
    • 2- Air fry the entire taco-
    • Turn air fryer up to 400*F. Place chicken and cheese on one side of the tortilla and air fry for 30 seconds.
    • Fold the tortilla with the chicken and cheese inside on the top side. Their weight will hold down the taco and keep it where it should be. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 90 seconds.
    • Remove from air fryer and peel apart the taco and put toppings on. Serve immediately. This was our favorite way to eat them. They are crunchy and melty and and flavorful and just absolutely delicious! 

    Notes

    **Rotisserie- these can be made with a rotisserie chicken. Shred the chicken then mix with lime juice and taco seasoning and allow to sit for 2 or more hours. Warm in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes then assemble as directed above.
    Ingredients and chicken can be stored  separately for up to 5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Assemble as directed above.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2street tacosCalories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 38gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 103mgSodium: 673mgPotassium: 739mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 474IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 178mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was in the comments below
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    More Main Dish Recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Andrea

      January 26, 2022 at 6:12 pm

      5 stars
      My family really loved this easy air fryer recipe. It came together perfectly and we are adding it to our monthly rotation!

      Reply
    2. Pam

      January 27, 2022 at 9:45 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely genius! I had never thought of making tacos in the air fryer but it worked perfectly! The chicken was delicious and they were a hit.

      Reply
    3. Kathryn

      January 30, 2022 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      We loved every bite of these chicken tacos! I loved them in the air fryer. So much flavor and so easy to make for dinner! This is such a great recipe, thank you!!

      Reply
    4. JC

      January 31, 2022 at 8:30 pm

      5 stars
      We love these air fryer chicken tacos. The meat was perfect and it was such a great use of our Ninja! Quick and easy for a weeknight meal. Will make again.

      Reply
    5. JC

      May 27, 2022 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      We loved these tacos made in the air fryer. We melted the cheese on them in the air fryer and it was sooo good. Thanks for a great recipe.

      Reply

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    nicole and andrea

    Hi, we are Nicole and Andrea! As busy moms our favorite meals are easy, healthy and delicious. While we love eating nutritious meals, we also strongly believe in moderating them with yummy desserts! We love hiking, going to the beach and doing Spartans.

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