Chicken taquitos made in the air fryer is the perfect easy dinner idea! These taquitos are cheesy, delicious, and ready in under 20 minutes!

When I am planning meals for the week, something that is going to taste delicious is equally as important as a recipe that is convenient. When time is tight (which is nearly every night lately), something like these Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos is what I turn to instead of turning to fast food or settling for something like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich (although sometimes you just need a PB&J, ya know?)

This recipe is ready in under 20 minutes, and it’s the perfect way to use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. These taquitos are satisfying for dinner or even an appetizer and I’m confident you’ll love them as much as we do! ❤️-Ashley

Homemade Taquitos Ingredients

Here is what makes up these easy crispy taquitos. For the full list of ingredients and their measurements, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Cooked chicken: Leftover cooked chicken or a rotisserie chicken are great options for convenience. You can also boil chicken breasts and shred them using two forks or the paddle attachment in your stand mixer.
• Sour cream: Plain greek yogurt would also work to keep the filling creamy.
• Salsa Verde: Vibrant and flavorful, salsa verde infuses the taquitos with a zesty kick. Choose your preferred level of heat, whether mild, medium, or hot, to suit your taste preferences.
• Lime juice: Adds a burst of citrusy freshness, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the taquitos with its bright acidity.
• Taco seasoning. Whether store-bought or homemade, taco seasoning brings the perfect blend of spices to the filling.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a pop of freshness and adds a delightful herbal note to the taquitos.
• Shredded cheddar cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese provides a gooey, cheesy texture to the filling. I always recommend shredding your own cheese from a block for optimal melting and flavor over pre-shredded cheese.
• Tortillas: Fajita-sized corn or flour tortillas provide a soft and pliable wrapper that crisps up beautifully in the air fryer. Fajita-sized are the perfect size for holding the filling while also being able to fit in the air fryer.

How to Make Taquitos in The Air Fryer

Here is a brief overview of how these easy chicken taquitos come together in the air fryer. For the full recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Make the filling. In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken with sour cream, salsa verde, fresh lime juice, taco seasoning, chopped fresh cilantro, and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir to combine.
2. Put the taquitos together. Scoop about ¼ heaping cup of chicken mixture onto each tortilla, then roll it up. Repeat until all of the filling is gone.
3. Cook the taquitos. Arrange the taquitos in the preheated air fryer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the taquitos are golden brown.
4. Serve and enjoy! Serve with all of your favorite garnishes like guacamole, sour cream, and diced green onions.

Tips and Tricks

• Preheat your air fryer. Just like you would preheat your oven, it is important to preheat your air fryer so that it is at the right temperature right when your taquitos are added.
• Cook in batches if needed. Don’t overlap your taquitos in the air fryer. If they don’t all fit in a single layer, cook them in batches.
• Use a rotisserie chicken for convenience. You could also swap the chicken for ground beef, shredded pork, or black beans.
• Fajita-sized tortillas work best. They are large enough to hold the filling but still fit in the air fryer.
• Avoid Overstuffing: Don’t overfill the taquitos to prevent the filling from spilling out during cooking. A moderate amount of filling ensures even cooking and prevents soggy taquitos.
• Oil the outside of the taquitos. Spray the taquitos with non-stick cooking spray once they are in the air fryer basket for an extra crispy exterior.

How Long To Cook Taquitos in the Air Fryer

To get perfect air fryer taquitos, both the temperature of the air fryer and the time they cook in the air fryer are important. Be sure to preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees F which ensures even cooking and crispy results. One of the best parts of making taquitos in an air fryer, is how quickly they come together! Air fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the taquitos are golden brown. If you like your taquitos extra crispy, you may add a minute or two to the cooking time. I love how quickly these come together!

What to Eat With Taquitos

Taquitos make a great snack, appetizer, or meal. To round out the meal, serve some Mexican rice and refried beans. These crispy taquitos can be enjoyed as is or topped or dipped in some of these delicious toppings:

• Sour cream
• The Best Guacamole
• The Best Easy Spicy Salsa

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

If you have any leftover air fryer taquitos, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat the portion you plan to eat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until heated through. You can also store the filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Use the made ahead filling to make fresh taquitos.

Other Air Fryer Recipes

Check out some of my other favorite easy air fryer dinners.

• Air Fryer Chicken Bites {without breading}
• Air Fryer Stuffed Mini Peppers
• 8 Minute Air Fryer Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Air Fryer Steak Bites with Garlic Butter

If you make these air fryer taquitos, let me know what you think by leaving a comment below. I love hearing from you!