Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos feature a creamy, spiced chicken filling rolled up into corn tortillas and cooked to crispy, crunchy perfection. Dipped into sour cream, salsa, queso, or guacamole, these rolled tacos are a guaranteed hit!

featured air fryer chicken taquitos

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Chicken and Cheese Taquitos

Homemade chicken taquitos are a texture lover’s dream! Crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside, there’s so much to love about each bite. Made in less than 30 minutes with simple ingredients, these taquitos are sure to be a dinner winner.

Mix up taco Tuesday and with a batch of these cheesy taquitos!

Why You’ll Love this Chicken Taquitos Recipe:

  • EASY: This is a delicious way to use up leftover chicken! Quick to assemble and cook, these air fryer taquitos are ready in minutes – perfect for busy weeknights.
  • FLAVORFUL: Featuring chipotle, cumin, and paprika, these taquitos are bursting with flavor.
  • CUSTOMIZABLE: Easily customize the flavors and ingredients of this chicken taquito filling.

These lightened up taquitos are even better than the traditionally fried version!

Be sure to try these beef taquitos, bean and cheese taquitos, or fried taquitos.

step by step photos for how to make air fryer chicken taquitos
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air fryer chicken taquitos on blue plate

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos

You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!

  1. Make the taquito filling.
  2. Warm the tortillas.
  3. Fill and roll the tortillas.
  4. Cook and serve.
air fryer chicken taquitos on blue plate
air fryer chicken taquitos on blue plate
What are taquitos?

Taquitos are essentially fried rolled tacos filled with meat, cheese, and other ingredients. Instead of using a deep fryer, these taquitos cook in an air fryer.

What kind of chicken should I use?

You’ll need pre-cooked and shredded chicken for these taquitos. This is a wonderful way to use up leftover chicken, or save time and pick up a rotisserie chicken.

How can I make these ahead of time?

Prepare the filling up to a day in advance, but assemble and cook them immediately prior to serving. Leftovers tend to become very soggy!

Are these taquitos gluten free?

To make gluten free taquitos, use certified gluten free tortillas.

Serving Suggestions

Taquitos and dip are a match made in heaven! I love pairing chicken taquitos with:

Serve these air fryer taquitos as an appetizer, lunch, or dinner – they’re incredibly versatile.

air fryer chicken taquitos on blue plate

Tips!

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken from the filling and replace with 2 cups of black beans.
  • Flip the taquitos halfway through cooking to crisp up both sides.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauces!

You’ll love how quickly and easily these air fryer chicken taquitos come together.

Can I use another kind of meat?

Absolutely! Use cooked ground beef, chicken, or turkey instead of shredded chicken in the taquito filling.

What size tortillas should I use?

Use classic 6-inch corn tortillas for these taquitos.

How can I prevent the taquitos from falling apart?

To prevent the taquitos from falling apart, use a bit of water to seal them closed before placing them seam-side down in the air fryer.

More Easy Taco Recipes We Love

Quick and flavorful, air fryer chicken taquitos will quickly become a family favorite recipe!

air fryer chicken taquitos on blue plate

More Mexican Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos Recipe

4.54 from 13 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 15 taquitos
Author: Becky Hardin
featured air fryer chicken taquitos
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos feature a creamy, spiced chicken filling rolled up into corn tortillas and cooked to crispy, crunchy perfection. Dipped into sour cream, salsa, queso, or guacamole, these are a guaranteed hit!
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Ingredients 

  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle sauce or 2 chipotles in adobo sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 15 corn tortillas
  • Queso fresco, salsa, and crema for serving

Instructions 

  • Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
    ingredients for air fryer chicken taquitos
  • While the air fryer preheats, make the filling. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, cream cheese, chipotle, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and salt together using a hand mixer or mixing spoon.
    3 cups shredded cooked chicken, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 tablespoon chipotle sauce, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    chicken taquito filling in a glass bowl with a hand mixer
  • Add the shredded cheese and mix well.
    2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
    chicken taquito filling with shredded cheese in a glass bowl with a hand mixer
  • Warm the tortillas. Cover the tortillas with a paper towel (or place them on a plate and flip a bowl upside down to cover them) and microwave for 30 seconds. If the tortillas aren’t warm and pliable, heat again in 10-second intervals.
    15 corn tortillas
  • Working with one tortilla at a time, scoop 2 tablespoons of filling along one edge of the tortilla and roll it up right. Place the taquitos seam-side down in the air fryer basket. Try not to let the taquitos touch so they will get crispy on all sides. Once the air fryer is full, spray the tops of the taquitos with nonstick spray.
    spoon spreading chicken taquito filling onto a corn tortilla
  • Cook for 5 minutes and flip the taquitos. Spray with nonstick spray and cook for another 2 minutes. Check after 2 minutes and if they aren’t crispy enough, cook for 1-2 additional minutes.
    chicken taquitos in air fryer basket after cooking
  • Remove and repeat with the remaining taquitos. Serve and enjoy with queso, salsa, and crema.
    Queso fresco, salsa, and crema

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • Make Ahead: Prepare the filling up to a day in advance, but assemble and cook them immediately prior to serving. 
  • Storage: These taquitos are best enjoyed immediately. If leftovers get soggy, place them back in the air fryer to crisp for 1-2 minutes.
Calories: 213kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 13gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 469mgPotassium: 155mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 383IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 141mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.54 from 13 votes (13 ratings without comment)
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