• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • Frugal
  • Resources
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

BeeyondCereal logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Frugal
  • Resources
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Frugal
    • Resources
    • About
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer Recipes

    Published: May 26, 2022 by Nicole This post may contain affiliate links.

    Air Fryer Chicken Tacos

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    promotional images for air fryer chicken tacos

    Air Fryer Chicken Tacos are a delicious crispy experience packed with shredded chicken and your favorite taco toppings. Made in just minutes, you can have a taco dinner to rave about all week!

    three air fried chciken tacos on a brown platter next to air fryer

    Making chicken tacos in the air fryer is a delicious way to get a tasty meal in minutes.

    While I love making this recipe with any leftover taco meat I have on hand, I included a chicken taco meat recipe on the printable recipe card below.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • It's simple. Air fryer shredded chicken tacos are made with just a few ingredients and steps. You can easily assemble and cook these tacos to perfection with little effort.
    • It's fast! When I want to fry up taco shells with the stovetop method, it can take a long time to get all of the shells finished and tacos assembled for my family. With the Air fryer, the time and mess are greatly reduced.
    • It's a healthier choice. It's no surprise that the air fryer is a healthier method for deep frying in oil because there is much less oil involved, but it's always great to be reminded that it's okay to grab an extra taco.
    Jump to:
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🍽 Equipment Needed
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍴 Recipe Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Storage
    • 🍳Reheating
    • 💭 FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    three air fried chicken tacos on a brown platter

    🥘 Ingredients

    For the Chicken Taco Meat

    Taco seasoning- You can use homemade taco seasoning or storebought.

    Chicken breasts- Chicken breasts will be cooked and shredded into the filling.

    Enchilada sauce- This will give the taco filling more moisture and flavor.

    For the Air Fried Tacos

    Corn tortillas- You can use corn or flour tortillas.

    Shredded chicken taco meat- If you have taco meat already on hand, you can use it or follow along with the directions included on the recipe card for slow cooker taco meat.

    Shredded cheddar cheese- Any cheese will work, but we like to use shredded cheddar.

    Shredded lettuce- Buy already shredded lettuce or buy an iceberg head of lettuce and shred it yourself.

    Diced tomatoes- For added color, freshness, and taste.

    For the Optional Toppings

    All of these topping ideas are optional and not "necessary," but they do help to create a more colorful and flavorful taco experience.

    • Sliced avocado
    • Sliced black olives
    • Salsa
    • Guacamole
    • Sour cream

    For specific quantities, see the recipe card below.

    🍽 Equipment Needed

    BeeyondCereal is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.

    • Air Fryer 6qt or 8qt
    • Slow Cooker *optional
    • Mixing Bowl

    🔪 Instructions

    Check out how to make air fryer chicken tacos with these simple step-by-step instructions:

    Prepare your shredded chicken taco meat by using the slow cooker or air fryer methods listed on the recipe card below, or use shredded chicken taco meat that you may already have on hand.

    Microwave your corn tortillas for about 30 seconds before using them to make them a little easier to fold without breaking.

    Rub one side of the tortilla with about ¼ teaspoon of olive oil, then place that side down onto your work surface. If you feel as though too much oil was used, you can rub another tortilla over the top to transfer a good portion to that one too.

    Place your chicken taco meat on the non-oiled side of the tortillas and then top with some shredded cheddar cheese.

    three chicken tacos in an air fryer basket
    three cooked chicken tacos in an air fryer basket

    Fold the tacos in half, and place them into the air fryer basket.

    Air fry your tacos for 4 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking process. Make sure to leave a little space between the tacos so that they don't overlap. You should be able to cook between 2 and 5 depending on the size of your air fryer.

    Set your cooked tacos aside and repeat until all have been cooked.

    Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

    three chicken tacos on an oval brown plate with avocado slices and lime wedges

    📖 Variations

    Different meats: You can use any prepared taco meat filling that you have on hand. We love this recipe with shredded chicken and ground beef taco meat too!

    Street tacos: If desired, swap out the corn tortilla for small street taco sized flour tortillas. The recipe will still be delicious!

    Taco seasoning: If you want, you can whip up your own batch of homemade taco seasoning for your chicken taco meat.

    🍴 Recipe Tips

    If you are using leftover chicken taco meat (or any leftover cold taco meat for that matter), then you do not need to reheat it before using it in this recipe. You can use the meat while it is cold, assuming it was properly cooked.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Storage

    These tacos are best when served immediately after being made but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days in the fridge.

    🍳Reheating

    If you have leftover crispy chicken tacos on hand, I recommend reheating them in the air fryer for about 2 minutes at 370 degrees F. You may need to adjust the time depending on how many you cook, how full they are, and what type of air fryer you use.

    💭 FAQs

    Can I use ground chicken taco meat for this recipe?

    Yes! You can use ground taco meat for this recipe (it doesn't have to be exclusively chicken because you could easily use ground beef). Just cook up the meat in a skillet on the stove until its fully cooked through.

    What goes with fried chicken tacos?

    This recipe would be great served alongside some Spanish rice, refried beans, or any other number of delicious Mexican side dishes.

    How to shred chicken for tacos

    An easy way to shred your chicken is the two forks method. Place the breast on a cutting board and run the prongs of two forks over the top of the chicken, pulling them away from one another as you go.

    a brown platter with three air fried chicken tacos on it

    More great air fryer recipes to check out soon

    • Easy Air Fryer Mini Pizzas
    • Air Fryer Grilled Ham and Cheese
    • Air Fryer Chicken Breasts
    • Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
    • Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
    • Air Fryer Biscuit Donuts
    • Air Fryer Tostadas

    📖 Recipe

    three air fried chciken tacos on a brown oval plate
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Air Fryer Chicken Tacos

    Air Fryer Chicken Tacos are a delicious crispy experience packed with shredded chicken and your favorite taco toppings. Made in just minutes you can have a taco dinner to rave about all week!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 380kcal
    Cost Recipe $11.58 / Serving $2.90
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer 6qt or 8qt
    • Slow Cooker *optional
    • Mixing Bowl

    Ingredients

    For the Chicken Taco Meat

    • 3 Tablespoons Taco seasoning ($0.44)
    • 3 Large Chicken breasts ($5.97)
    • 1 can (14oz) Enchilada sauce ($1.98)

    For the Air Fried Tacos

    • 12 Corn tortillas ($0.96)
    • 2 cups Shredded chicken taco meat ($0.00)
    • 4 ounces Shredded cheddar cheese ($0.99)
    • 1 cup Shredded lettuce ($0.66)
    • ½ cup Diced tomatoes ($0.58)

    Optional toppings

    • Sliced avocado
    • Sliced black olives
    • Salsa
    • Guacamole
    • Sour cream
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Meat

    • Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Top with taco seasoning, evenly sprinkling it over the breasts. Pour the enchilada sauce over the top.
    • Cook on low or 7-8 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. Shred chicken and serve/use as desired.

    Air Fryer Chicken for Tacos

    • Rub your chciken breasts in 2 tablespoons of olive oil and then coat well in taco seasoning.
    • Place the chicken breasts into a greased air fryer basket.
    • Cook for 20-25 minutes at 360 degrees F.
    • Shred cooked chicken and place into a bowl before stirring together with the enchilada sauce until well coated.

    Making Air Fryer Tacos

    • Microwave your corn tortillas for about 30 seconds before using them to make them a little easier to fold without breaking.
    • Rub one side of the tortilla with about ¼ teaspoon of olive oil and then place that side down onto your work surface. If you feel as though too much oil was used, you can rub another tortilla over the top to transfer a good portion to that one too.
    • Place your chicken taco meat on the non-oiled side of the tortillas and then top with some shredded cheddar cheese.
    • Fold the tacos in half, and place them into the air fryer basket.
    • Air fry your tacos for 4 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking process. Make sure to leave a little space between the tacos so that they don't overlap. You should be able to cook between 2 and 5 depending on the size of your air fryer.
    • Set your cooked tacos aside and repeat until all have been cooked. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.

    Notes

    Variations

    • Different meats: You can use any prepared taco meat filling that you have on hand. We love this recipe with shredded chicken and ground beef taco meat too!
    • Street tacos: If desired, swap out the corn tortilla for small street taco sized flour tortillas. The recipe will still be delicious!
    • Taco seasoning: If you want, you can whip up your own batch of homemade taco seasoning for your chicken taco meat.

    Recipe Tips

    These tacos are best when served immediately after being made but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days in the fridge.
    If you have leftover crispy chicken tacos on hand, I recommend reheating them in the air fryer for about 2 minutes at 370 degrees F. You may need to adjust the time depending on how many you cook, how full they are, and what type of air fryer you use.
    If you are using leftover chicken taco meat (or any leftover cold taco meat for that matter, ) then you do not need to reheat it before using it in this recipe. You can use the meat while it is cold, assuming that it was properly cooked previously.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 3tacos | Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 532mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 558IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 284mg | Iron: 2mg
    Author NicoleDurham
    Course dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Mexican
    Tried this recipe?Mention @BeeyondCereal on Instagram and hashtag it #BeeyondCereal
    To view how this recipe was calculated you can visit my Pricing Disclosure Page for more information.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Turkey Breast
    • Air Fryer Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
    • Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and Potatoes

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Nicole from Beeyond Cereal

    I'm Nicole and I am the owner and recipe developer here at Beeyond Cereal. I love saving money and one of the best places to trim expenses is in the kitchen. With this site, we are serving up tasty and frugal homemade dishes that the whole family will enjoy.

    More About Me →

    Trending NOW

    • 20 Minute Lazy Enchiladas
    • Jiffy Cornbread With Cake Mix
    • Roasted Whole Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots
    • Microwave Grilled Cheese

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Valentines Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
    • Pink Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    • Simple Crepes (with Pancake Mix)
    • Valentine Cream Puffs with Raspberry Whipped Cream

    As Seen In

    parade yummyle foodgawker the pioneer woman

    Footer

    ↑ Back to Top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Affiliate Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Public Sharing Policy
    • Pricing Disclosure

    Follow

    • Sign Up! for emails
    • Follow on Facebook
    • Follow on Instagram
    • Follow on Pinterest

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Beeyond Cereal --Brunch Pro Theme by Feast Design Co.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Save & Accept