20-Minute Air-Fryer Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
Crispy corn tortillas filled with a creamy mixture of reduced-fat cream cheese, taco sauce, and shredded chicken breast, then air-fried until golden. Quick weeknight dinner with optional fresh cilantro and red onion garnish. Ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup light/reduced-fat cream cheesefull-fat cream cheese1:1dairy
richer flavor
- ⅓ cup taco saucesalsa1:1condiment
fresher taste, slightly more liquid
- 8 oz cooked and shredded skinless chicken breastrotisserie chicken1:1protein
convenience, may need draining
- 8 6-inch corn tortillas
- chopped fresh cilantro(optional)
- sliced red onion(optional)
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- nonstick spraybrushed oil1:1cooking fat
3
- toothpicks
Instructions
- 1
Stir cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth.
- 2
Add taco sauce and garlic powder, mix until smooth and uniform.
- 3
Stir in shredded chicken.
- 4
Place tortillas between 2 damp paper towels and microwave for 30 seconds until warm and pliable.
- 5
Spread a tortilla with chicken mixture, tightly roll into a tube, and secure with a toothpick.
- 6
Place seam side down in air fryer basket.
- 7
Repeat filling and rolling with remaining tortillas.
- 8
Spray taquitos with nonstick spray.
- 9
Set air fryer to 370°F and cook until golden brown, about 8 minutes, working in batches as needed.
Tips
Secure taquitos tightly with toothpicks to prevent unrolling during cooking.
Damp paper towels soften tortillas without tearing them.
Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Adjust cooking time slightly if your air fryer runs hot or cold.
Good to Know
Refrigerate uncooked taquitos in an airtight container up to 2 days. Freeze cooked taquitos up to 1 month; reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 5 minutes.
Prepare and fill taquitos up to 4 hours ahead; refrigerate covered. Cook just before serving.
Serve hot with sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo, or additional taco sauce. Garnish with cilantro and red onion if desired.
Common Mistakes
Do not overfill tortillas to avoid filling leaking out during cooking.
Do not skip securing taquitos with toothpicks to prevent unrolling.
Do not skip the nonstick spray to ensure even browning and crispness.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
richer flavor
General Alternatives
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