Crispy Pasta Chip Nachos (Printable)

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

# Components:

→ Pasta Chips

01 - 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 - 9 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
07 - 1 tbsp olive oil
08 - 2 tsp taco seasoning
09 - ¼ tsp salt

→ Toppings

10 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
12 - 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)

# Method:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
02 - Cook pasta in boiling salted water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and dry thoroughly.
03 - Toss cooked pasta with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and salt until evenly coated.
04 - Place pasta in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air-fry for 10–12 minutes, shaking halfway, until crisp and golden. Transfer to a serving platter.
05 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, taco seasoning, and salt. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
06 - Distribute cooked chicken evenly over pasta chips. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and jalapeño slices.
07 - Return assembled nachos to the air fryer for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Add sour cream, cilantro, diced tomato, and red onion as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The pasta chips stay crispy even under melted cheese, giving you texture that normal nachos lose.
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes and works for casual hangouts or impressing people without fuss.
  • You get that satisfying hand-eating, shareable vibe but with more substance than typical apps.
02 -
  • Undercooking the pasta by 2 minutes is non-negotiable—fully cooked pasta will turn mushy in the air fryer instead of crispy.
  • Pat the cooked pasta completely dry before seasoning, or the oil won't adhere properly and the chips won't crisp.
  • Assemble everything right before serving because even two minutes sitting will soften the pasta chips from the cheese heat and moisture.
03 -
  • Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking the pasta—this is what guarantees even crispness instead of golden one side and soft on the other.
  • Let the chicken cool for a minute before adding it to the nachos; if it's too hot, it can wilt the cheese and make everything steamier than it should be.
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