Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables

Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables is a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

The air fryer gives the chicken a crispy, golden exterior while keeping it juicy inside, and the vegetables roast to perfection with a slight char. With a simple seasoning blend and minimal prep, this dish comes together in under 30 minutes and is packed with protein and nutrients. It’s a perfect meal on its own or served over rice, quinoa, or pasta.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Air fryer
• Mixing bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• Tongs or spatula

Ingredients Overview

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work well for this recipe.
• Vegetables: A colorful mix of bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli, and onions adds freshness and crunch.
• Olive oil: Helps the chicken and vegetables get crispy while keeping them juicy.
• Seasonings: A mix of garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper enhances the flavor.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 boneless thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or oregano)

For the Vegetables

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 zucchini, sliced into half-moons
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the Air Fryer
   Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
2. Season the Chicken
   In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss well to coat evenly.
3. Season the Vegetables
   In a separate bowl, toss the sliced vegetables with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook the Chicken
   Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
5. Add the Vegetables
   After 10 minutes, add the seasoned vegetables to the air fryer basket with the chicken. Toss everything together and continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C) and the vegetables are tender with slightly crispy edges.
6. Serve
   Remove the chicken and vegetables from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy on its own, or pair with rice, quinoa, or a side salad.

Prep Time

10 minutes

Cook Time

18-20 minutes

Total Time

30 minutes

Nutrition (per serving, ~4 servings)

• Calories: ~300
• Fat: ~12g
• Carbohydrates: ~10g
• Protein: ~35g

Expert Tips

• Even Cooking: Cut the chicken and vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking.
• Crispier Vegetables: If you prefer extra crispy vegetables, cook them separately for 5-7 minutes before adding the chicken.
• Customize the Seasoning: Swap out Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or a lemon-garlic blend for different flavor profiles.

FAQs

Can I use frozen vegetables?
Yes! If using frozen vegetables, add them directly to the air fryer without thawing and increase the cooking time by 3-5 minutes.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! You can season the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.

What other vegetables work well in this recipe?
You can use asparagus, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, or cherry tomatoes for variety.

Storing & Freezing

• Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-4 minutes.
• Freezing: Freeze cooked chicken and vegetables in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Substitutions & Variations

• Low-Carb Version: Serve the dish with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
• Dairy-Free Option: Top with avocado instead of cheese for a creamy finish.
• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.

Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables

Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables is a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. The air fryer gives the chicken a crispy, golden exterior while keeping it juicy inside, and the vegetables roast to perfection with a slight char.

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Equipment

• - Air fryer
• - Mixing bowl
• - Measuring spoons
• Knife and cutting board
• - Tongs or spatula

Ingredients

  

• #### For the Chicken
• - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or 4 boneless thighs), cut into bite-sized pieces
• - 1 tablespoon olive oil
• - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• - 1 teaspoon paprika
• - 1/2 teaspoon salt
• - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning or oregano
• #### For the Vegetables
• - 1 red bell pepper sliced
• - 1 zucchini sliced into half-moons
• - 1 cup broccoli florets
• - 1/2 red onion sliced
• - 1 tablespoon olive oil
• - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• - Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• **Preheat the Air Fryer**
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
• **Season the Chicken**
• In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss well to coat evenly.
• **Season the Vegetables**
• In a separate bowl, toss the sliced vegetables with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• **Cook the Chicken**
• Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
• **Add the Vegetables**
• After 10 minutes, add the seasoned vegetables to the air fryer basket with the chicken. Toss everything together and continue cooking for another 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C) and the vegetables are tender with slightly crispy edges.
• **Serve**
• Remove the chicken and vegetables from the air fryer and serve immediately. Enjoy on its own, or pair with rice, quinoa, or a side salad.