I’ll never forget the first time I made this Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli – it was one of those chaotic Wednesday nights when homework, laundry, and after-school activities had completely taken over. My kids were hangry, I was exhausted, and takeout wasn’t in the budget. That’s when I threw together what I had in the fridge – some chicken breasts, a head of broccoli, and my trusty air fryer. Twenty minutes later, we were sitting down to steaming plates of the most delicious stir-fry, with perfectly tender chicken and crisp-tender broccoli that even my picky eater devoured. Now it’s our go-to “oh no, it’s 5:30 and I haven’t started dinner” lifesaver. The air fryer works its magic so quickly, and cleanup is a breeze – just the basket to rinse! Plus, I love that it’s packed with veggies but still feels like comfort food.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli
Trust me, this recipe is about to become your new best friend in the kitchen. Here’s why it’s always on rotation at my house:
- Lightning fast: From fridge to table in under 30 minutes – perfect for those “what’s for dinner?!” panic moments
- Healthy without trying: Packed with lean protein and veggies, but tastes so good the kids don’t realize they’re eating well
- One-basket wonder: The air fryer means no splattered stovetop or pile of pans to wash (just toss the basket in the dishwasher!)
- Flavor bomb: That sweet-savory marinade makes every bite irresistible – my kids lick their plates clean
- Endlessly adaptable: Swap in whatever veggies you have on hand – it’s great with rice and broccoli or whatever sides you prefer
Seriously, this dish checks all the boxes for busy weeknights when you want something wholesome but don’t have energy for complicated cooking.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this flavor-packed stir-fry – I bet you’ve got most of it in your pantry already! The magic happens when these simple ingredients come together:
- For the chicken: 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces – trust me, uniform size means even cooking)
- For the veggies: ½ pound fresh broccoli florets (about 4 cups) and ½ medium onion thickly sliced (the chunks stay crisp in the air fryer!)
- For the marinade: 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger (don’t skip this – it makes all the difference!), 3 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 1 teaspoon sesame oil (that nutty flavor is everything), 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons honey, and 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce
- Seasonings: Just a pinch of salt and ground black pepper to taste
See? Nothing fancy – just real ingredients that pack a punch of flavor. Now let’s get cooking!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens – turning those simple ingredients into a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. I’ll walk you through each step just like I do when my sister calls me in a dinner panic (which happens more often than she’d admit!).
Preparing the Marinade
First things first – that amazing marinade! Grab a medium bowl and whisk together all the liquid ingredients: olive oil, soy sauce (use Tamari if you need gluten-free), rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and hoisin. Then stir in the fresh ginger, garlic, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Pro tip: taste it with a clean spoon – it should make your taste buds dance! Now divide it between two bowls – one for the chicken, one for the veggies.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Here’s where your air fryer becomes the star! Preheat it to 380°F – about 3 minutes should do it. While that’s heating, toss the chicken in its marinade and the broccoli/onions in theirs. When ready, lay the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket (no overcrowding or they’ll steam instead of getting that perfect sear!). Cook for 10 minutes, then pause to add the veggies. Give everything a good stir – this is crucial for even cooking. Pop it back in for 8-11 more minutes, stirring halfway. You’ll know it’s done when the chicken reaches 165°F and the broccoli is crisp-tender. And hey, if you love air fryer recipes as much as I do, you might want to check out our frozen salmon in air fryer next!
See? Easier than scrambling to find takeout menus! The key is that initial chicken-only cook time – it gives the pieces a head start so everything finishes perfectly together. Now breathe in that amazing aroma – dinner’s ready!
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli
After making this recipe more times than I can count (seriously, my air fryer might be permanently stained with that delicious marinade), I’ve learned a few tricks to make it absolutely foolproof:
- Give your chicken space to breathe! Overcrowding the basket is the #1 mistake – the pieces need room to get that perfect golden sear. If needed, cook in batches.
- Want crispier broccoli? Add it halfway through cooking instead of at the beginning. Those florets should still have some bite when you take them out.
- Fresh ginger is non-negotiable – that jarred stuff just doesn’t give the same bright, zingy flavor. I keep peeled ginger in my freezer and grate it straight into the marinade.
- Shake it up! Don’t skip stirring halfway through – it ensures every piece gets evenly coated in that sticky-sweet glaze.
- Preheat matters – those 3 minutes while your air fryer heats up make all the difference in getting that perfect texture.
Follow these simple tips, and you’ll have restaurant-quality stir-fry with none of the takeout guilt!
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli
Now for the best part – loading up your plate! This stir-fry is incredibly versatile. We usually serve it over steaming white rice (the perfect sauce soaker-upper), but brown rice or quinoa work great too. Feeling noodly? Try it with our chicken lo mein noodles for a fun twist! I love finishing it with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and chopped green onions – that little crunch and pop of color makes it feel extra special. Sometimes I’ll add a squeeze of lime if we’re craving something brighter. Honestly? It’s delicious straight from the basket too – no judgment here!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Okay, confession time – this stir-fry is so good we rarely have leftovers! But when we do, I pop them in an airtight container (those glass ones with the locking lids are my favorite) and they keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, just toss everything back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to bring back that perfect texture. In a pinch, the microwave works too – just cover with a damp paper towel to keep the chicken from drying out. Pro tip: the flavors actually get better overnight as the marinade soaks in deeper!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on what you’re getting in each satisfying serving of this Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli: about 280 calories, 12g fat (only 2g saturated), and a whopping 28g protein to keep you full. You’ll also get 15g carbs with 3g fiber – not bad for a meal that tastes this indulgent! The sodium comes in around 450mg (less if you use low-sodium soy sauce). Just remember – these numbers might wiggle a bit depending on your exact ingredients and brands. But hey, when something’s this delicious AND good for you, that’s what I call a win-win!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?
Absolutely! I’ve done this many times when my fresh broccoli went rogue in the fridge. Just thaw and pat it dry first – frozen broccoli releases more water, so you might need to cook it 1-2 minutes less. The texture will be slightly softer, but still delicious!
How do I make this gluten-free?
Easy peasy! Just swap the regular soy sauce for Tamari (my gluten-free friends swear by it) and double-check that your hoisin sauce is GF. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you’re good to go!
My chicken pieces stick to the basket – help!
Been there! Give your air fryer basket a quick spritz of oil before adding the chicken. Also, resist the urge to stir too soon – let the chicken cook for about 5 minutes first to develop a crust that releases easily.
Can I prep this ahead of time?
You bet! I often marinate the chicken and chop the veggies in the morning. Just keep them separate in the fridge until cooking time. The flavors actually get better as they mingle!
What other veggies work well in this stir-fry?
Get creative! Bell peppers, snap peas, and carrots are all fantastic. Just cut them into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Mushrooms add great umami too – though they’ll release more liquid, so maybe add them halfway through.
Print
Air Fryer Chicken Stir-Fry with Broccoli
- Total Time: 33 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A quick and healthy meal with tender chicken and crisp broccoli, cooked in an air fryer for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, boneless and skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 pound broccoli, cut into florets
- 1/2 medium onion, thickly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon hoisin sauce
- salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients in a bowl.
- Add the chicken to one bowl and the broccoli and onion to another.
- Divide the marinade between the two bowls, stirring to coat the ingredients evenly.
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Add just the chicken to the air fryer basket in one layer and air fry for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the broccoli and onions with the chicken, and air fry for 8-11 minutes or until the chicken is cooked. Stir halfway through cooking.
- Serve with white or brown rice.
Notes
- Use Tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Distilled white vinegar can replace rice vinegar if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken stir-fry, healthy chicken recipes, easy family dinners, broccoli stir-fry, air fryer dinner ideas