High-Protein Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Broccoli
Per serving (2 thighs with broccoli)
Full nutrition
| Calories | 345 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 48g |
| Carbs | 8g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Fiber | 3g |
I use chicken thighs instead of breasts because they hold up better in an air fryer. They stay juicy even if you leave them a minute or two long. I add the broccoli to the same basket for the back half of the cook time, so dinner is genuinely one appliance. [TODO: add your own note here.]
Recipe
High-Protein Air Fryer Chicken Thighs with Broccoli
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry. Toss with half the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Arrange the thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if they don't fit without overlapping. Cook for 12 minutes.
- Toss the broccoli with the remaining olive oil, salt, and pepper. Flip the chicken, add the broccoli to the basket around the thighs, and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the broccoli is browned at the edges.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Air fryer baskets vary in size. If yours is small, I'd cook the chicken and broccoli in separate batches rather than crowd the basket, which leads to steaming instead of browning.
- Bone-in thighs work too, but they add roughly 5 to 7 minutes of cook time. I always check the internal temperature before assuming they're done.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 345 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 48g |
| Carbs | 8g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Fiber | 3g |
Storage
Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. This one reheats well in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, which keeps the chicken skin (if using bone-in) from going soft the way a microwave would.
FAQ
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, though breasts dry out faster in an air fryer. Check the internal temperature starting around 10 minutes and pull them as soon as they hit 165°F.
Do I need to flip the chicken?
Flipping partway through helps both sides brown evenly, but most air fryers circulate air well enough that it’s not strictly required. Flip if you want a more even crust on both sides.
Can I meal prep this for the week?
Yes. It holds up well divided into containers for up to 4 days in the fridge. The broccoli will soften somewhat on reheating, which is normal.
Looking for more high-protein chicken: the buffalo chicken dip is a different way to use the same protein source when it’s not dinner you’re after.