Pasta Chip Nachos Twist (Printable version)

Crispy air-fried pasta chips layered with zesty chicken, jalapeños, and melted cheese for a tasty snack.

# Ingredient list:

→ Pasta Chips

01 - 225 g (8 oz) short pasta shapes (rigatoni, penne, or farfalle)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 0.5 tsp garlic powder
04 - 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 0.5 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 - 0.25 tsp salt

→ Toppings

10 - 100 g (1 cup) shredded cheddar cheese
11 - 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
12 - 50 g (0.25 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)

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
02 - Cook pasta in salted boiling water for 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and pat dry completely.
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 dish.
05 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken, taco seasoning, and salt. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until cooked through and lightly browned.
06 - Spread taco chicken evenly over pasta chips. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and jalapeño slices.
07 - Return the assembled nachos to the air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes, until cheese is melted.
08 - Garnish with sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced tomato, and finely chopped red onion as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • It uses up leftover pasta shapes you forgot about in the pantry and turns them into something completely unexpected.
  • The crispy-chewy contrast of air-fried pasta is strangely addictive, nothing like regular nachos but just as satisfying.
  • You can prep the chips ahead and assemble everything in minutes when friends show up unannounced.
  • It is endlessly customizable—swap the chicken for beans, add hot sauce, pile on whatever toppings you have lying around.
02 -
  • Undercook the pasta by at least two minutes because it will continue to firm up as it dries and crisps, and overcooked pasta turns tough instead of crunchy.
  • Do not skip drying the pasta thoroughly after draining or it will steam in the air fryer and you will end up with limp, sad chips instead of crispy ones.
  • Shake the basket halfway through air-frying or the pieces on the bottom will burn while the ones on top stay pale and chewy.
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of the bagged stuff because pre-shredded cheese has anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
03 -
  • Use a mix of pasta shapes in one batch for variety in texture and visual interest, just make sure they are all similar in size so they cook evenly.
  • Toss the cooked chicken with a squeeze of lime juice right before layering it on the chips for a bright, tangy finish that balances the richness.
  • If the cheese starts to brown too quickly in the air fryer, tent the nachos loosely with foil for the last minute of melting.
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