Air Fryer Al Pastor Chicken Tacos

Name: Air Fryer Al Pastor Chicken Tacos
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 41 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1.5 lb (680 g) boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch strips; 3 tbsp achiote paste; 1/4 cup pineapple juice; 2 tbsp white vinegar; 2 garlic cloves; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 chipotle in adobo, plus 1 tsp sauce; 1 cup fresh pineapple, small chunks; 8 corn tortillas; White onion, cilantro and lime, to serve

Weeknight trompo energy without the spit. Achiote, pineapple and chipotle cling to thigh strips; the basket caramelizes the edges while the fruit softens into sticky bits you chop into the meat. Warm corn tortillas, onion, cilantro, lime. Dinner in under 45 minutes once the marinade is on.

41 min total
400°F / 204°C
4 servings
25 min prep

Jump to recipe See steps

Why thighs, not breast

Thighs forgive the high heat and keep the pineapple from drying the meat out. Breast works in a pinch if you cut thinner strips and pull them a few minutes earlier.

Char is the point

You want a few dark edges, not uniform beige. Shake at eight minutes so the underside gets the same blast. If the basket is packed, you steam instead of caramelize.

Build hot

Chop the chicken roughly so juices soak the tortillas. Cold corn tortillas crack. Warm them in the basket for 45 seconds or in a dry skillet right before filling.

Air Fryer Al Pastor Chicken Tacos

Prep 25 min · Cook 16 min · Total 41 min · 4 servings

Air Fryer400°F / 204°C

Basket time16 min

Flip / shakeat 8 min

Tested onNinja Foodi 6 qt, 1700W

Crowding. Thighs steam if stacked. Two batches keep the pineapple from going soggy.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow each step in order. Photos show what to look for so the basket finish matches the plate.

Marinate

Blend the achiote paste, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, cumin and chipotle until smooth and thick. Toss with the chicken strips so every piece is coated. Rest at least 20 minutes on the counter, or cover and chill up to overnight for deeper flavor.

Air fry

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Shake excess marinade off the chicken so it is coated, not dripping. Load a single layer of chicken with the pineapple chunks nestled in the gaps.
Al pastor chicken and pineapple in the air fryer basket
Cook for 8 minutes. Toss so the underside gets heat. Cook 6-8 minutes more until the edges have dark, caramelized spots and the thickest piece reads 175°F (79°C).

Tacos

Warm the corn tortillas for about 45 seconds in the basket or in a dry skillet until they are soft and pliable. Cold tortillas crack when you fold them.
Chop the chicken roughly so the juices mix with the pineapple. Fill the tortillas and top with diced white onion, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Spoon any juices from the board over the meat.
Built al pastor chicken tacos with toppings