These air fryer chicken enchiladas are a tasty addition to any dinner menu. They’re easily made with leftover rotisserie chicken and corn tortillas. And the minimal time involved makes them ideal for a busy weeknight meal!
One of the best things about this recipe is that it uses leftover cooked meat, making it an inexpensive and great way to reduce food waste. Make these with leftover chicken, pork, or beef or open a can of beans and make them a vegetarian meal!
The crisp texture of the tortillas contrasts with the melted cheese for a delicious dinner that is sure to be a family favorite. So change up Taco Tuesday and make these green chicken enchiladas in the air fryer.
Key Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
Corn Tortillas – For wrapping up the filling. Flour tortillas will also work in this recipe.
Shredded cooked chicken – You can also use beef or pork. Or replace the meat with black beans and make cheese enchiladas.
Seasoning – If the meat is not already seasoned, adding taco seasoning gives it a Mexican flavor. Use part of a package of taco seasoning or a jar of taco seasoning mix.
Shredded cheese – We like sharp cheddar cheese, but a blend of Mexican blend cheese or Monteray Jack are also tasty.
Cream cheese – This helps bind everything together.
Green chili peppers – Either fresh or canned work fine.
Enchilada sauce – Either green or red enchilada sauce or homemade enchilada sauce works well, so use your favorite.
How to Make Air Fryer Enchiladas
1. Make the Enchiladas
Add the chicken, cream cheese, chilis, and half of the shredded cheese to a medium bowl. Add the taco seasoning and stir to mix thoroughly. Heat the corn tortillas by microwaving them for 20-30 seconds, so they soften and don’t crack as you roll them.
The rolled up enchiladas need to be in a pan as they cook inside the air fryer. Otherwise, the enchilada sauce will all run out! So find a pan that fits inside your air fryer, or line the basket with foil if you prefer.
Put a thin layer of enchilada sauce in the bottom of the pan or foil. Then lay a softened tortilla on a cutting board. Add about 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture and roll it up. Place it in the prepared pan.
Continue to roll up tortillas and put them in the pan until full. I can fit 6-8 enchiladas in my air fryer basket. You might need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
2. Cook Enchiladas in Air Fryer
Pour the remaining sauce over the top and add the rest of the shredded cheese. If you are making multiple batches, don’t use up all the sauce and cheese on the first batch!
Air fry at 400 degrees F for 6-8 minutes. They are done when the ends are crispy, and the cheese has melted on top.
Serving Ideas
These will be very hot after cooking! Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve these with extra sauce and topped with your favorite Mexican toppings like cilantro, green onions, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, cherry tomatoes, avocado slices, guacamole, or lime wedges.
Mexican rice or Green rice makes an excellent side dish for these air fryer enchiladas. Refried beans are another traditional choice. Or serve them with this Mexican tomato soup or a simple green salad.
Variations and Tips
These photos in this post are of air fryer green chicken enchiladas, but the recipe will work for many other types. All kinds of cooked meat work well in this recipe, making it great for using leftovers. Leftover air fryer chicken, pulled pork, ground beef, or smoked brisket are all fantastic in this recipe. If you are using meat that has spices added, leave out the taco seasoning.
Other Quick Variations:
- If you don’t have enchilada sauce, you can substitute salsa instead.
- Replace the corn tortillas with flour tortillas.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the meat with a can of black beans or kidney beans.
And if you love enchiladas try this Chicken Enchilada Casserole! Or make these tasty air fryer Buffalo chicken taquitos.
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Air Fryer Enchiladas Recipe
Ingredients
- 6-8 yellow corn tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 teaspoons taco seasoning *see note
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper or to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese, separated Cheddar or Mexican cheese blend
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 oz green chili canned or fresh
- 10 oz green enchilada sauce
Instructions
- Add chicken, cream cheese, chilis, and HALF of the shredded cheese to a mixing bowl. Add the taco seasoning and mix thoroughly.1 1/2 cups shredded chicken, 2 teaspoons taco seasoning *see note, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup shredded cheese, separated, 4 oz cream cheese, 2 oz green chili, 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Heat the corn tortillas by microwaving them for 20-30 seconds to soften them.6-8 yellow corn tortillas
- Use a shallow pan that fits in your air fryer, or line the air fryer basket with a sheet of aluminum foil to hold these as they cook.
- Add a thin layer of sauce to the pan or foil. Put the tortillas on a cutting board and add 2 tablespoons of the enchilada mixture. Roll the tortilla up and place it in the prepared pan.10 oz green enchilada sauce
- Fill the pan with enchiladas in a single layer. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Once the pan is full, it cover with the sauce and remaining cheese. If you are making multiple batches, divide sauce and cheese evenly.10 oz green enchilada sauce, 1 cup shredded cheese, separated
- Cook at 400 degrees F for 6-8 minutes until the tortilla ends are crispy and the cheese is melted.
- Let cool for a few minutes since the filling will be very hot. Serve topped with cilantro, tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, and or your favorite toppings.
Notes
- If you don’t have green enchilada sauce, you can substitute red sauce or salsa instead.
- You can replace the corn tortillas with flour tortillas.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the meat with a can of black beans or kidney beans.
- Replace the chicken with cooked pork, ground beef, or another cooked meat.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
