Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli Recipe

Gotta love it when a meal is so good but also nutritious and easy to make! My air fryer chicken and broccoli recipe is full of flavors, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce made with my unique blend of spices and flavorings. It takes less than 20 minutes to cook and is full of delicious flavors without all the extra calories and carbs.

I like to serve this healthy, low-carb meal with my cauliflower rice. Another great thing about this recipe is how perfect it is for meal prep. The chicken and broccoli mixture can easily be made into many different recipes for various meals. I like to make extras and freeze them in Ziplock bags. They can last for up to three months in the freezer.

We all have our go-to meal for busy weeknights, and mine is this easy-to-make and healthy recipe. I can get it all done in less than 30 minutes from start to finish. It is one of my favorite family dinners to make when I am pressed for time.

Why you will love this recipe

• Quick and easy: After preparing the chicken, I can have it cooked and ready to serve in under 20 minutes. That means it can be done in less than 30 minutes from start to finish.
• It is healthy and delicious: With lean skinless chicken breast cooked in the air fryer and soaked in a rich sauce, this is a healthy meal with amazing flavor. The broccoli is full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals as well as antioxidants too.
• Perfect for meal prep: Since chicken and broccoli go with everything, I can make different meals to enjoy all week or month and freeze them. They will last for three months in the freezer.
• An inexpensive meal: Another awesome thing about my chicken and broccoli meal is the price. This can be made for under a dollar per serving. So affordable and tasty, I can serve it once a week if I want to.

What you’ll need to make air fryer chicken and broccoli

Ingredients

• Chicken breast – Skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into one-inch pieces is what I use. I find that this cut of meat is easiest to prepare and has a good flavor.
• Broccoli – I recommend organic broccoli. I cut mine into florets for nice small tender pieces.
• Onion – A medium yellow onion is what I use. It has a bold taste that becomes sweeter as it cooks, which adds depth without overpowering the meat.

For the marinade:

• Olive oil – To balance the acids and distribute the other ingredients while keeping it on the meat.
• Garlic – For a strong savory taste and aroma that adds complexity and enzymes that break down muscle fibers for tenderizing.
• Rice vinegar – Adds delicate flavor and tanginess while helping tenderize the meat.
• Sesame oil – Gives the marinade a toasted nutty flavor with a rich taste profile.
• Honey – To give the sauce a sweet taste and help the other ingredients stick to the meat.
• Hoisin sauce – The rich, complex flavor of chili peppers, spices, and garlic penetrates the meat and adds a distinctive Asian taste.
• Soy sauce – Besides giving the chicken extra umami flavor, soy sauce also helps tenderize the meat by breaking down muscle fibers. Be sure to get low-sodium soy sauce so it will not make the chicken too salty.
• Freshly minced ginger – The natural enzyme, zingibain, is a good tenderizer and the vibrant fresh flavor is so much better than ground ginger.
• Smoked paprika – To add a smoky taste along with a sweet heat and depth of flavor.

How to make

1. Marinate: First, I mix the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Then, I put the chicken in one bowl and the onion and broccoli in another. I pour half the marinade into the chicken and half into the onion and broccoli, mixing until they are evenly coated before soaking them while I prepare the air fryer.
2. Air fry: Now, I preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees F. When it is ready, I place the chicken in the basket in a single layer and let it cook for 10 minutes.
3. Adding the veggies: Then, I add the vegetables and let it all cook for another 10 to 11 minutes until the chicken is cooked, stirring halfway through the cooking time.
4. Serve: After, I take it out and let it rest for five minutes before serving it.

Expert tip

Getting moist air fryer chicken

First of all, the first and very important tip is to cut the chicken into one-inch-thick pieces, thin strips. They should be one inch all around. Making them too small or thin will cause the meat to get overcooked and dry. The next step is to marinate the meat for about five minutes. My recipe has several tenderizers in it, like vinegar, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and fresh ginger.

Now, the most important thing is to make sure the chicken is not overcooked. I check the internal temperature after the first 10 minutes. If it is close to the 160-degree F temperature I am aiming for, I only cook it for a few more minutes. If that means I have to take out the chicken and let the vegetables keep cooking to prevent overcooking the chicken, that is fine.

More tips to consider:

• Cut the chicken and broccoli florets about the same size for even cooking.
• I like to cut my chicken into one-inch cubes. Make sure they are not cut into strips because thin strips will cook too fast, making the chicken dry out.
• Marinate the chicken for at least five minutes. But it can be marinated for up to 30 minutes.
• Put the chicken in the basket in a single layer so it cooks evenly.
• Do not crowd the broccoli so it does not end up chewy.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

• Chicken thighs: Rather than using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken thigh meat is also a great choice. It has a richer flavor and is moister than breast meat. 
• Heat it up: To make this chicken dish spicier, I like adding hot sauce and red pepper flakes to the marinade. 
• Other marinades: Instead of this marinade, I sometimes use other flavors with additions like red wine, balsamic vinegar, or lemon juice. 
• Add veggies: To make this a heartier meal, I sometimes add carrot sticks, cauliflower florets, bell peppers, and mushrooms.  
• Other meat: Besides chicken, I often use this same recipe with other meat such as pork, turkey, and beef. 

Serving suggestions:

• My favorite way to serve this is with white rice. I have an easy way to make perfect rice in the instant pot. It is so simple and only takes 20 minutes with just a few ingredients.
• Looking for the best wine to serve with this chicken dish? I like it with Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay.
• Any kind of vegetables are perfect with this entrée such as carrots, cauliflower, asparagus, or peas. 
• For dessert, try my air fryer lemon squares. The tangy lemony taste is the perfect blend of sweet and sour and they only take 30 minutes to make. 

How to store leftovers:

• Refrigerate: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.   
• Freezing: I like to freeze my leftovers in meal prep containers for up to three months. They are great for making various meals.   
• Defrost: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for the best flavor.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave for 45 to 90 seconds.   

Frequently asked questions

More air fryer recipes:

Try one of my other easy chicken recipes like this Instant Pot Orange Chicken made with white wine and orange juice or my savory Chicken and Broccoli stir-fry with brown sugar and sesame oil.