Pasta Chip Nachos (Print Version)

Air-fried pasta chips with spicy chicken, jalapeños, and melted cheddar cheese.

# Ingredient List:

→ Pasta Chips

01 - 225 g (8 oz) short pasta shapes (rigatoni, penne, or farfalle)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - ½ tsp garlic powder
04 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
05 - ½ tsp salt

→ Taco Chicken

06 - 250 g (9 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
07 - 1 tbsp olive oil
08 - 2 tsp taco seasoning
09 - ¼ tsp salt

→ Toppings

10 - 100 g (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
12 - 50 g (¼ cup) sour cream (optional)
13 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
14 - 1 small tomato, diced (optional)
15 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped (optional)

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
02 - Boil pasta in salted water, cooking 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and dry thoroughly.
03 - Toss the cooked pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt until evenly coated.
04 - Arrange pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket; air-fry for 10 to 12 minutes, shaking halfway, until crisp and golden. Transfer to a serving platter.
05 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, taco seasoning, and salt. Sauté 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
06 - Spread the cooked chicken evenly over the pasta chips. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and jalapeño slices.
07 - Return the assembled dish to the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese has melted.
08 - Garnish with sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced tomato, and finely chopped red onion as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Crispy pasta replaces traditional tortilla chips, giving you that satisfying crunch without the greasy aftermath.
  • You get a complete meal-in-one-bite: protein, veggies, and that melted cheese moment that makes everyone smile.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of patting the pasta dry—wet pasta will steam and stay chewy instead of becoming crispy and delicious.
  • The air fryer timing varies by model, so watch for golden color rather than just hitting the timer; some air fryers run hotter and can brown things faster.
03 -
  • Keep your pasta slightly undercooked before air-frying because it will continue to crisp and firm up as it cools, and you don't want it to become hard and brittle.
  • Spread the taco chicken while it's still warm so it releases a little steam that helps the cheese melt faster and more evenly across the entire platter.
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