Our air fryer chicken tacos recipe is a quick and easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love! With perfectly seasoned, juicy chicken cooked in the air fryer, these tacos come together in just 20 minutes and are guaranteed to be a hit at your dinner table!
We use a simple blend of taco seasonings to create that authentic Mexican-inspired flavor that pairs perfectly with your favorite taco toppings. Just season the chicken, pop it in the air fryer, and dinner is practically done!
Whether it’s Taco Tuesday or any night of the week, these air fryer chicken tacos are sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients Notes
🔹Chicken: We’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips for these air fryer chicken tacos! You could also use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer darker, juicier meat, or even pre-cut chicken tenders to save time. Just remember to adjust your cooking time slightly; thighs might need an extra minute or two!
🔹Taco Seasoning: Store-bought taco seasoning packets work perfectly and save time, but you can also make your own blend with chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder if you prefer to control the spice level.
🔹Tortillas: We love both flour and corn tortillas for these tacos! Flour tortillas are softer and milder, making them perfect for kiddos, while corn tortillas offer that authentic flavor that taco enthusiasts crave. You can warm them right in the air fryer for about 30 seconds after your chicken is done cooking!
🔹Toppings: This is where you can really make these tacos your own! Our recipe includes the classics like lettuce, tomato, and cheese, but don’t be afraid to get creative. Pickled red onions, sliced jalapeños, or a sprinkle of cotija cheese are all delicious options for those who want to spice things up!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tacos
🔹To start making these delicious chicken tacos, you’ll first want to cut your chicken breasts into thin strips.
🔹Next, toss your chicken strips in a bowl with the olive oil and all those yummy seasonings. Make sure each piece gets a good coating; this is where all that taco flavor comes from!
🔹Preheat your air fryer for about 3 minutes so it’s nice and hot.
🔹Arrange your seasoned chicken strips in the air fryer basket, trying not to overcrowd them. They should be in a single layer so the hot air can circulate around each piece. If you need to cook in batches, that’s perfectly fine!
🔹Air fry your chicken for 10-12 minutes at 380°F, giving the basket a little shake halfway through. The chicken is done when it’s golden brown on the outside and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, just cut into a piece to make sure there’s no pink inside!
🔹While your chicken is cooking, this is the perfect time to prep all your taco toppings and warm up your tortillas.
🔹Once the chicken is done, let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing it into smaller pieces if desired.
🔹Now comes the fun part, assembling your tacos! Fill each tortilla with chicken and pile on your favorite toppings. Don’t forget a squeeze of lime for that perfect finishing touch!
🔹Serve immediately while everything is still warm and enjoy your homemade air fryer chicken tacos!
Serving Suggestions
🔹Fresh Toppings: Set up a fun taco bar with all the fixings! Include extra toppings like pickled jalapeños, guacamole, and pico de gallo so everyone can customize their tacos just the way they like them! Kids especially love building their own tacos!
🔹Side Dishes: These air fryer chicken tacos pair perfectly with some classic Mexican-inspired sides! Try serving them with Mexican rice, refried beans, or our super easy air fryer tortilla chips with salsa. For a lighter option, a simple corn and black bean salad brings fresh flavors to the table!
🔹Drinks: Complete your taco night with some refreshing beverages! A pitcher of homemade limeade or fruit-infused water is perfect for the whole family.
🔹Dessert: Finish off your meal with something sweet! Churros from the air fryer or a simple tres leches cake are delicious options that stick with the theme. Even just some vanilla ice cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon makes a perfect ending to your taco night!
🔹Leftovers: Any leftover chicken can be transformed into a taco salad for lunch the next day! Just toss it on some lettuce with your favorite toppings and a drizzle of cilantro lime dressing for a quick and tasty meal!
Recipe Variations
🔹Buffalo Chicken Tacos: Toss your cooked chicken in some buffalo sauce before adding it to your tacos for a spicy twist! Add some blue cheese crumbles and a drizzle of ranch dressing on top for that classic buffalo chicken flavor in taco form!
🔹Barbecue Chicken Tacos: Switch up the seasoning by coating your chicken in your favorite BBQ rub instead of taco seasoning, then brush with barbecue sauce during the last few minutes of cooking. Top with coleslaw for a delicious sweet and tangy taco that kids and adults will both love!
🔹Crispy Chicken Tacos: For extra crunch, coat your chicken in crushed tortilla chips or panko breadcrumbs before air frying.
🔹California-Style Tacos: Add sliced avocado, bacon bits, and a drizzle of chipotle mayo for a California-inspired version that’s creamy, smoky, and absolutely delicious!
🔹Greek-Inspired Tacos: Use Greek seasoning instead of taco seasoning, then top your tacos with cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce. It’s a fun Mediterranean twist on the traditional taco that brings a whole new flavor profile to the table!
🔹Breakfast Tacos: Use leftover chicken and reheat it in the air fryer with some breakfast seasoning, then serve in warm tortillas with scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa for a protein-packed breakfast that will keep you full until lunch!
FAQs
Q1: Are these tacos spicy?
With the standard taco seasoning, these tacos have a mild to medium spice level that’s family-friendly. If you want them spicier, add some cayenne pepper to your seasoning mix or top with sliced jalapeños. For a milder version, look for low-sodium or mild taco seasoning packets.
Q2: Can I make these chicken tacos ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook the chicken up to 2 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. Prep all your toppings fresh for the best flavor and texture.
Q3: Can I use frozen chicken for these tacos?
We recommend using thawed chicken for the best results and even cooking. If you only have frozen chicken, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before adding the seasonings. Using frozen chicken directly may result in uneven cooking, and the seasonings won’t stick as well.
Q4: Can I use different meat for these tacos?
Absolutely! This recipe works great with boneless chicken thighs, turkey breast, or even thin strips of beef. Just adjust your cooking time accordingly as different meats require different cooking times in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into thin strips
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet taco seasoning (or 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt (omit if taco seasoning contains salt)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For Assembly:
- 8 small flour or corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 1 avocado, sliced
- ½ cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Sour cream and salsa for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken strips with olive oil, taco seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until chicken is evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F for 3 minutes.
- Place the seasoned chicken strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cooking time, until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- While the chicken is cooking, warm the tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds or in a dry skillet over medium heat.
- Once the chicken is done, let it rest for 2 minutes, then slice or shred if desired.
- Assemble the tacos by dividing the chicken among the tortillas and topping with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, cheese, and cilantro.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges, sour cream, and salsa on the side.
Notes
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