Pin It I stumbled onto this idea on a lazy Sunday when I had leftover rigatoni and a serious craving for something crunchy and cheesy. The air fryer was already out, and I thought, why not? Twenty minutes later, I was pulling golden, crispy pasta chips from the basket, and the kitchen smelled like a carnival. My roommate wandered in, took one bite, and declared it genius. We've been making these ever since.
The first time I served these at a game night, my friends thought I'd ordered takeout from some trendy fusion spot. When I told them it was just pasta and chicken from my fridge, they made me write down the recipe on a napkin. One friend even texted me a photo the next week of her own batch, topped with pickled onions and hot sauce. It became our unofficial group dish, and now every gathering feels incomplete without a platter of these on the table.
Ingredients
- Short pasta shapes (rigatoni, penne, or farfalle): The ridges and curves catch seasoning beautifully, and they crisp up into sturdy little chips that hold toppings without breaking.
- Olive oil: Just enough to help the spices stick and encourage that golden, crunchy exterior in the air fryer.
- Garlic powder and smoked paprika: These two create a smoky, savory base that makes every bite feel a little indulgent.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast: Diced small, it cooks quickly and soaks up taco seasoning like a dream.
- Taco seasoning: The soul of the dish, bringing warmth, spice, and that familiar Tex-Mex kick.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts into gooey pools between the chips and ties everything together.
- Jalapeños: Fresh slices add a bright, vegetal heat that cuts through the richness.
- Sour cream, cilantro, tomato, and red onion: Optional but highly recommended for freshness, color, and a restaurant-quality finish.
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep:
- Set your air fryer to 200°C (400°F) and let it warm up while you gather your ingredients. This ensures the pasta crisps evenly from the start.
- Parboil the Pasta:
- Cook your pasta in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than the package suggests, then drain and pat completely dry with a clean towel. Any moisture left behind will steam instead of crisp, so be thorough.
- Season the Pasta:
- Toss the drained pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt in a large bowl. Make sure every piece is coated, the oil helps the spices cling and promotes browning.
- Air-Fry the Chips:
- Spread the pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlap. Air-fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the pasta is crisp and golden with slightly charred edges.
- Cook the Taco Chicken:
- While the pasta crisps, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, taco seasoning, and salt, then sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and caramelized at the edges.
- Assemble the Nachos:
- Transfer the crispy pasta chips to a serving platter or oven-safe dish. Scatter the taco chicken evenly over the top, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar and sliced jalapeños.
- Melt the Cheese:
- Return the assembled nachos to the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch closely so the edges don't burn.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Pull the nachos from the air fryer and immediately top with dollops of sour cream, fresh cilantro, diced tomato, and chopped red onion. Serve hot and watch them vanish.
Pin It There was a night last winter when my sister came over feeling defeated after a rough week. I made a batch of these, and we sat on the couch with the platter between us, picking off chips one by one and laughing about nothing in particular. She said it was the best thing she'd eaten all month, not because it was fancy, but because it felt like care in edible form. That's when I realized this recipe wasn't just about the food, it was about the moments it creates.
Choosing the Right Pasta
I've tested this with every short pasta shape I could find, and rigatoni wins for its sturdy walls and ridges that hold seasoning and cheese. Penne works beautifully too, especially if you like a sharper edge. Farfalle (bow ties) crisp up into delicate, lacy chips that are stunning but a bit more fragile. Avoid anything too small like orzo, it burns quickly and doesn't give you enough surface area for toppings.
Customizing Your Toppings
Once you nail the base, this recipe becomes a playground. I've swapped chicken for seasoned black beans, crumbled chorizo, or even spicy shrimp. Pickled jalapeños add tang, fresh ones bring heat, and roasted poblanos offer a smoky sweetness. For a crowd, I set out bowls of salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges so everyone can build their own perfect bite. The pasta chips stay crispy long enough for people to experiment, which always leads to the best kitchen conversations.
Storage and Reheating
These are best enjoyed fresh, but I've saved leftovers by storing the plain pasta chips separately in an airtight container and keeping the toppings in the fridge. To reheat, I spread the chips back in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 3 to 4 minutes until they crisp up again, then add fresh toppings. The chicken reheats well in a skillet with a splash of water to keep it moist. Assembled nachos don't store as well since the chips soften under the toppings, so I always keep components separate if I know there will be extras.
- Store plain pasta chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Reheat chips in the air fryer for 3 to 4 minutes to restore crispness before topping.
- Keep cooked chicken and toppings refrigerated separately and assemble fresh when ready to serve.
Pin It Every time I make these, someone asks for the recipe, and I love that. It's proof that the best dishes don't need to be complicated, they just need to make people smile. Grab your air fryer and let this one surprise you.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I make the pasta chips crispy?
Air-fry the cooked pasta at 200°C (400°F) for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway, until the pasta pieces become golden and crisp.
- → Can I substitute the chicken for a vegetarian option?
Yes, try replacing chicken with black beans or grilled vegetables for a satisfying vegetarian alternative.
- → What types of pasta work best for the chips?
Short pasta shapes like rigatoni, penne, or farfalle are ideal as they crisp evenly during air-frying.
- → How spicy are the jalapeños in this dish?
Jalapeños add a medium level of heat and can be adjusted or omitted based on your heat preference.
- → Can I prepare this without an air fryer?
While an air fryer yields the best crispiness, you can bake the pasta chips in a hot oven on a baking sheet until golden and crisp.
- → What sides or drinks pair well with this dish?
This flavorful snack goes well with a crisp lager or a light margarita to complement the spicy and cheesy layers.