This is one of those quick chicken meals you make once and then wonder how you ever lived without it. Like, it’s part air fryer chicken dinner, part chicken stir fry, part “please stop crying I’m making food.” It’s kinda crispy, kinda saucy if you want, and totally customizable. You can call it air fryer chicken stir fry, or just “the green chicken thing mommy makes that actually tastes good.” I don’t even care. It works.
If you’re looking for chicken and broccoli air fryer recipes that are easy enough to cook with a baby on your hip and one shoe on, this is IT. Add it to your list of easy air fryer recipes, busy weeknight dinners, or just those nights when you’re running on caffeine and a miracle.
It’s part of my go-to air fryer chicken and veggies lineup now. I’ll be rotating this with other faves like chicken stir fry with vegetables, stir fry in air fryer, and literally any chicken recipes air fryer will let me get away with.
Why You’ll Love It (Even If You’re Over Everything)
- One basket = less mess
- No oven = no sweating
- 15 minutes = more chill time
- My kids legit asked for seconds (I KNOW)
- Broccoli gets all crispy and snacky, not mushy or sad
What You Need:
- 2 chicken breasts (cut up in bitey chunks)
- 2 cups of broccoli (fresh or frozen works—no judgment)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons oil (I used olive but use whateva)
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder (maybe paprika if you’re fancy)
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Grab Stuff + Cut It
I grabbed the chicken and just kinda chopped it into little pieces. Not super pretty, but it cooks faster that way. Then I threw in the broccoli. Some of it was frozen, some was not. I literally didn’t care.
Step 2: Toss It All Together
I dumped it all in a big bowl, added some oil, and tossed on salt, pepper, garlic powder—just stuff I had. Used my hands ‘cause it’s faster and less spoons to wash.
Step 3: Load the Air Fryer
I threw the whole thing in the air fryer basket. Didn’t even preheat (lazy queen energy). Try to spread it out, but if it’s a little crowded, it’s fine. Mine was.
Step 4: Air Fry That Baby
I set the air fryer to 380°F for like 14 minutes.
At the 7-minute mark I shook the basket a bit. It’s fun. Feels productive.
Then I let it finish cooking while I cleaned a yogurt explosion in the hallway.
Step 5: Check + Serve
Chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy inside. Broccoli was kinda crunchy, kinda roasted. Basically, snack vibes.
Kids dipped it in ketchup. I dipped mine in ranch. Nobody complained. Miracle.
Real Talk From This Tired Mama:
This Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli thing?? It’s a full-on mom hack.
Takes like 5 mins to throw together.
Kids eat it.
Husbands eat it.
I eat it cold out the fridge later.
It’s just… easy.
And honestly, we need more easy.
Save this for the nights when everything feels like too much. Or when you just want dinner to stop being dramatic.
Next time I’m tossing in carrots too. Or maybe a drizzle of honey mustard. Or nothing. Who knows. Either way, it slaps.
FAQs About Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli (aka everything you might Google at 6:42pm while your kids scream)
Can I use frozen broccoli in the air fryer?
Yup, frozen broccoli totally works. Just toss it in with the chicken and maybe add a tiny bit more cook time (like 2–3 mins). It might not get as crispy as fresh, but it still slaps. This is one of those easy chicken broccoli recipes that doesn’t care if you didn’t plan ahead.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Honestly? I usually don’t. Like who has time. But if your air fryer cooks uneven sometimes, preheating for 2–3 mins at 380°F helps. This helps for all chicken recipes in the air fryer, not just this one.
What if my broccoli burns?
Broccoli is dramatic like that. If it gets too crispy, try cutting the florets a bit bigger or tossing everything halfway through. You can also add the broccoli halfway into the cook time if your air fryer runs hot. Air fryer chicken and vegetables can be a little trial-and-error, ngl.
Can I meal prep this?
Yes girl. Cook a batch, throw it in containers, and reheat in the air fryer for a few mins. It’s one of my fave air fryer chicken vegetable recipes to keep on hand. Great for busy weeknights or when everyone pretends they don’t like leftovers (but eats it anyway).
Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli Recipe Card
Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts cut into bite-size chunks
- 2 cups broccoli florets fresh or frozen
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- Garlic powder onion powder, paprika (optional but delish)
Optional
- soy sauce teriyaki glaze, or lemon juice for a lil’ flavor kick
Instructions
- Chop chicken into chunks and toss with oil + seasoning.
- Add broccoli to the bowl and toss everything together.
- Load it all into the air fryer basket (try to spread it out evenly).
- Air fry at 380°F for 12–15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.
- Check if it’s done – chicken should be golden and cooked through, broccoli crispy on the edges.
- Serve hot with dipping sauces or over rice/noodles if you’re feelin’ extra.
This air fryer chicken broccoli recipe seriously saved my sanity like 4 times this week. It’s fast, it’s yum, and it doesn’t leave my kitchen lookin’ like a crime scene. That’s a win. I’ve tried all kinds of air fryer chicken dinner ideas but this one? It’s in the forever rotation now.
Like when I’m scrolling for easy dinner ideas air fryer at 5:43pm with zero plan and three hangry kids? Boom. I type in “chicken and broccoli air fryer recipes” and she’s right there lookin’ loyal.
You can mix it up too — do a little soy sauce moment or turn it into an air fryer chicken stir fry, toss in carrots or bell peppers or whatever’s in the fridge. This works as a full meal or a side with rice or noodles. Plus, it’s one of those chicken broccoli recipes even picky eaters weirdly don’t complain about?? Not sure why but I’m not asking questions.
If you’re new to chicken recipes air fryer, don’t stress. You don’t need to be a chef. Just need a basket, some broccoli, and maybe 15 mins. You got this. Whether you call it air fried chicken and broccoli, quick chicken stir fry, or just “that thing mom makes in the noisy machine,” it’s gonna slap.
