20-Minute Air Fryer Chicken & Veggies
Healthy, insanely quick, and packed with big flavour! When you toss chicken and veggies in the air fryer, dinner magic happens—they come out tender, delicious, and perfectly charred.
Your family will love customizing this easy meal with their favourite veggies, and you’ll love how effortlessly it comes together on busy nights.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are plenty of chicken dinners out there, but this one earns a permanent spot in the weeknight rotation.
Everything cooks together in the air fryer, so you get juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken and tender vegetables with irresistible caramelised edges—all in just 20 minutes.
Better yet? It’s one of those wonderfully flexible recipes that works with whatever vegetables you have hanging around.
It’s healthy, colourful, packed with flavour, and cleanup is practically effortless. That’s a dinner win in my recipes!
For Air Fryer Chicken & Veggies
- Chicken Breast – Boneless and skinless works best. Cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
- Broccoli Florets – Fresh or frozen both work wonderfully, adding texture and nutrients.
- Zucchini – Adds moisture and tenderness; chop evenly for consistent cooking.
- Bell Peppers – Any color you prefer—brings sweetness, crunch, and vibrant color.
- Onion – Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Garlic – Freshly minced or crushed, bringing bold flavor in just a small amount.
- Olive Oil – Helps the seasoning stick, ensuring everything crisps perfectly in the air fryer.
- Seasonings (Garlic powder, Chili powder, Salt & Pepper) – A simple combo for great flavor.
- Italian Seasoning – Easy shortcut seasoning, but feel free to use your favorite blend!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Get the air fryer nice and hot
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Starting with a hot basket helps the chicken brown beautifully while giving the vegetables those delicious lightly charred edges.
2. Prep everything
Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then chop the broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, and onion into similar-sized chunks. Add everything to a large bowl along with the minced garlic so every bite cooks at the same pace.
3. Season generously
Drizzle over the olive oil, then sprinkle with the garlic powder, chili powder, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss well until every piece of chicken and every vegetable is evenly coated. Don’t rush this step—it makes all the difference.
4. Air fry until perfectly cooked
Spread everything into the air fryer basket in an even layer and cook for about 10 minutes, giving everything a good shake halfway through. The chicken should be cooked through, and the vegetables should be tender with golden, lightly caramelised edges. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, simply cook in batches rather than overcrowding the basket.
Expert Tips
- Cut everything about the same size. It helps the chicken and vegetables finish cooking at the same time.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. Air needs room to circulate, which is what gives you those beautifully browned edges instead of steamed vegetables.
- Shake halfway through cooking. A quick toss helps everything cook evenly and develops better colour.
- Small air fryer? Cook in batches. It takes a few extra minutes but the results are well worth it.
- Watch the salt. If your favourite seasoning blend already contains salt, simply reduce the extra salt in the recipe.
Recipe Variations
One of my favourite things about this recipe is how easy it is to make your own.
- Swap the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or any spice blend your family enjoys.
- Mix in your favourite quick-cooking vegetables to change things up from week to week.
- Want to use potatoes? Give them a head start in the air fryer for about 10 minutes before adding the chicken and remaining vegetables.
- Frozen broccoli works perfectly, so there’s no need to thaw it first—just add it straight from the freezer.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers are just as good the next day, making this a fantastic meal-prep option.
Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
To reheat, pop everything back into the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes until heated through. You can also warm it gently in a skillet or microwave until hot.
Serving Suggestions
This is one of those meals that’s perfectly satisfying all by itself, but it’s also incredibly easy to build into something a little heartier.
Serve it over fluffy rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice to soak up all those delicious seasonings. Add a crisp green salad for an easy balanced dinner, or enjoy it alongside warm garlic bread if you’re feeding a hungry crowd. A squeeze of fresh lemon over the top right before serving brightens everything beautifully, and your favourite dipping sauce is always welcome at the table.
Common Questions About Air Fryer Chicken and Veggies
1. Can I cook the chicken and veggies together in the air fryer?
Absolutely! Just make sure everything is cut into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly. Arrange in a single layer for the best results—crowding the basket will make them steam instead of crisp up.
2. Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Yes! Preheating to 400°F (200°C) gives you that perfect golden char and speeds up cooking time. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, just run it empty for a few minutes before adding the food.
3. How do I keep the chicken juicy?
The secret? A little olive oil! Tossing the chicken in oil before air frying locks in moisture, so you get tender, juicy bites every time. Also, don’t overcook—10 minutes is usually perfect!
4. Can I use frozen veggies?
Yep! No need to thaw—just toss them in frozen. They’ll release a little extra moisture, so give them an extra minute or two in the air fryer. If you want them crispier, pat them dry before seasoning.
5. Can I switch up the seasoning?
Of course! Italian seasoning is a great all-rounder, but feel free to use taco, Cajun, or lemon pepper blends. Just adjust the salt if your seasoning mix already has some in it.
Healthy Air Fryer Chicken and Veggies (Ready in 20 Minutes!)
Ingredients
- 1 Ib chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces (approximately 2-3 medium breasts)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 zucchini, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (any color or combination)
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp each garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (or substitute your preferred spice blend)
Instructions
- Preheat: Set your air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C).
- Prep Ingredients: Cut the chicken breast and vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.
- Season: Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and veggies, sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Air Fry: Transfer the seasoned chicken and vegetables to your preheated air fryer basket. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, shaking or stirring halfway through cooking, until the chicken is fully cooked and vegetables are slightly charred. (Note: For smaller air fryer baskets, cook in batches.)
Notes
- Spices: Feel free to swap Italian seasoning for your favorite spice mix (e.g., taco, cajun, lemon pepper). If the spice blend already contains salt, consider reducing additional salt.
- Vegetables: Substitute or add any quick-cooking veggies of your choice. If using potatoes, air fry the potatoes alone for about 10 minutes before adding chicken and other vegetables.
Nutrition
