If there’s one dinner I turn to when the day gets busy but I still want something warm, healthy, and satisfying, it’s this Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli.
It’s the kind of weeknight meal that checks all the boxes — fast, flavorful, high in protein, and loaded with veggies. Juicy, golden-brown chicken pieces cook in minutes next to crisp-tender broccoli, and the air fryer gives everything that irresistible roasted edge without any oil splatter or mess.
You can toss this together in 15 minutes flat using just a handful of pantry staples. Perfect for meal prep, low-carb dinners, or when you just want something that tastes amazing without spending hours in the kitchen.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli
- Fast & easy: From prep to plate in under 15 minutes.
- Healthy & balanced: High in protein, low in carbs, and full of fiber.
- Minimal cleanup: Just one bowl and your air fryer basket.
- Perfect texture: Crispy edges on the chicken, tender-crisp broccoli.
- Versatile flavors: Season with garlic, lemon, teriyaki, or buffalo sauce.
- Kid-friendly: Mild seasoning makes it a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken & Broccoli:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or teriyaki sauce (optional for glaze)
Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ teaspoon chili flakes for a spicy kick
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or zest for brightness
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil for a toasty flavor
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat your air fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 3–5 minutes. This helps the chicken crisp up quickly.
2. Season the chicken and broccoli
In a large bowl, toss the chicken bites and broccoli with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add soy sauce or teriyaki if using, and mix well until evenly coated.
3. Arrange in the air fryer
Place the chicken bites in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook for 8 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Add the broccoli
After 8 minutes, add the broccoli to the basket and cook another 5 minutes, shaking again halfway through, until the chicken is golden and the broccoli is crisp-tender.
5. Serve hot and enjoy
Transfer everything to a serving bowl. Drizzle with extra soy sauce or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that finishing touch.
Don’t miss our Crispy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries — they make the perfect crunchy side to this meal.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli
This Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli dish is incredibly versatile. You can serve it just as it is — a quick, low-carb dinner bowl — or make it part of a bigger meal.
Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Over rice or noodles: Spoon the chicken and broccoli over jasmine rice, brown rice, or soba noodles for a hearty, satisfying bowl.
- With sauce: Drizzle with teriyaki, garlic butter, or honey sriracha for added flavor.
- As a meal prep bowl: Portion into containers with quinoa, roasted sweet potatoes, or cauliflower rice.
- Topped with crunch: Sprinkle sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, or crispy onions for texture.
If you’re serving this for dinner, balance it with a cozy side like my Sweet Potato Casserole with Pecan for that sweet-and-savory contrast that everyone loves.
For a lighter side, a simple cucumber salad or miso soup also pairs beautifully.
How to Store Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli
One of the best things about this dish is how well it keeps — perfect for meal prep or next-day lunches.
Refrigerate:
Let the chicken and broccoli cool completely before storing. Transfer to airtight containers and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Reheat:
Reheat in the air fryer at 370°F (185°C) for 3–4 minutes to bring back that crispy edge. You can also microwave for 1 minute, but the air fryer keeps it fresher.
Freeze:
Freeze in individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make-Ahead Tip:
You can season the chicken and broccoli ahead of time — just store them in a zip-top bag in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Pop them straight into the air fryer when ready to cook.
Meal prepping? Divide into meal containers with cooked rice or quinoa, drizzle with sauce, and refrigerate. It’s a grab-and-go meal that still feels homemade.
Tips to Make Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli
- Preheat your air fryer: This gives your chicken those delicious crisp edges.
- Cut evenly: Uniform pieces cook faster and more evenly.
- Don’t overcrowd: Space between pieces = better browning.
- Shake the basket: Do it halfway through for even cooking.
- Add sauce last: If using sticky sauces (like teriyaki), toss after air frying.
- Check doneness: Chicken should reach 165°F internally.
- Double the batch: This recipe is easy to scale up — just cook in batches.
- Boost flavor: A squeeze of lemon juice before serving brightens everything up.
Variations of Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try these delicious twists:
- Teriyaki Chicken Bites: Toss cooked chicken in teriyaki sauce and sesame seeds.
- Buffalo Style: Coat in buffalo sauce and serve with ranch dressing.
- Honey Garlic Glaze: Mix 1 tbsp honey + 1 tsp soy sauce + 1 clove garlic. Toss to coat after air frying.
- Spicy Chili Version: Add 1 tsp chili garlic sauce before cooking.
- Lemon Pepper: Add ½ tsp lemon zest and cracked pepper before air frying.
- Parmesan Garlic: Toss cooked bites in grated Parmesan and melted butter.
Discover great ideas like our Roasted Carrots with Maple Glaze for more colorful, veggie-packed sides to pair with this quick dinner.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken or broccoli?
Yes! Thaw the chicken completely before cooking. Broccoli can go straight in frozen—just add 2 minutes to the cook time.
2. Can I make this with chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Thighs stay juicy and flavorful—just adjust cook time by 2–3 minutes.
3. Do I need to line the air fryer?
Not necessary, but parchment liners make cleanup easy.
4. Can I use other vegetables?
Yes! Bell peppers, zucchini, and snap peas all work beautifully.
5. What’s the best sauce for serving?
Teriyaki, garlic butter, lemon pepper, or buffalo sauce all work great depending on your mood.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli recipe is everything a weeknight meal should be — fast, healthy, and full of flavor. It’s crispy, juicy, and ready in minutes, with barely any cleanup.
Whether you’re eating low-carb, meal-prepping for the week, or just need a quick dinner the whole family will love, this one’s a keeper.
So grab your air fryer, toss in a few simple ingredients, and let it do the magic — dinner’s ready before you know it.
Follow me on Facebook and Pinterest where I share cozy, easy-to-make baking recipes just like this one.
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
These Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli make a fast, healthy dinner that’s ready in minutes. Juicy, golden-brown chicken and crisp-tender broccoli come together with simple seasonings for a flavorful, high-protein meal perfect for weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1-inch bites
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or teriyaki sauce (optional)
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice or zest
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, toss chicken and broccoli with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until coated. Add soy or teriyaki sauce if using.
3. Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook 8 minutes, shaking halfway through.
4. Add broccoli to the basket and cook another 5 minutes until the chicken is golden and the broccoli is tender.
5. Serve hot with rice, noodles, or a squeeze of lemon.
Notes
Storage: Cool completely before storing. Keep in airtight containers up to 4 days in the fridge.
Reheat: Air fry at 370°F (185°C) for 3–4 minutes or microwave briefly.
Freeze: Store cooked portions up to 2 months; thaw overnight before reheating.
Flavor Variations: Try teriyaki, buffalo, or honey garlic sauce. Add sesame seeds or lemon juice for brightness.
Meal Prep Tip: Portion with rice, quinoa, or roasted sweet potatoes for grab-and-go lunches.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg