Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Chicken is a mouthwatering and nutritious meal that is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s also packed with protein and nutrients.
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My family was tired of the same old boring chicken breast. And I don’t blame them. I decided it was time to switch things up with an air fryer and some delicious stuffing. With a crispy exterior and juicy interior filled with broccoli and cheese, every bite is a burst of flavor that plain chicken breast just can’t compete with. May I also recommend this Caprese Stuffed Chicken that I recently made in the air fryer and it instantly became a new family favorite.
I love how cheesy broccoli stuffed chicken made in the air fryer turns out with a crispy charred exterior while keeping the meat tender, juicy, and flavorful.
I also love that Air fryers produce significantly fewer odors than traditional frying methods. Cooking broccoli in an air fryer can help reduce the strong smell that often accompanies this cruciferous vegetable when cooked through other methods.
Ingredients
Please refer to the printable recipe card with ingredients and nutrition information at the bottom of this post. Gather these few simple ingredients for this delightful dish:
Chicken breast: I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, ¾ to 1-inch thick.
Broccoli: I used two cups of cooked chopped broccoli florets for this recipe.
Cheese. I used a mixture of sharp cheddar and Mozzarella cheese to balance out the sweetness of the broccoli. Then I mixed in cream cheese which added a decadent richness to the dish.
Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, pepper, and garlic powder. I also used this Good Stuff blend to season my chicken breast. Please don’t have the brand name offend you. It is honestly one of the best seasonings I use for all the meats I cook in my air fryer.
Egg. It helps to hold the broccoli stuffing together. When mixed with the cheese, the egg creates a creamy and luscious filling that perfectly complements the savory broccoli.
Breading is optional. I did not bread the chicken breast for this recipe. I simply rubbed it lightly with oil and seasoning, to keep it low-carb and keto-friendly. You can, however, dip the chicken breast into the egg wash, followed by dipping it into Panko or breadcrumbs. May I please recommend one of my all-time favorite recipes – Mayo coated and Panko-crusted chicken breast in the Air fryer? It is also very popular on the blog and is adored by my readers.
Instructions
Prep the Broc. Boil or steam your broccoli florets as you normally would, but may I also recommend roasting broccoli for the dish? Roasting broccoli brings out a wonderful flavor that pairs well with creamy cheese stuffing. Simply toss your broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the air fryer until it’s tender and slightly browned. The result will be a flavorful and tender Air-fryer Broccoli that has a slightly charred exterior and will take your stuffed chicken to the next level.
Mix the cooked finely chopped broccoli and cheese together in a large bowl. Add the egg, and seasoning, and mix everything together with your hands until it forms a sticky mixture. (See picture below)
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (198°C).
While the air fryer is heating up, butterfly the chicken breasts – slice a pocket into the center of each chicken breast, being careful not to slice all the way through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, garlic powder, and a teaspoon of preferred seasoning. I used the Good shit Seasoning. (Please see picture above). Add the broccoli and cheese mix to the center of the chicken breasts (about 1-2 tablespoons depending on the size of your chicken breasts).
Close the chicken breast with toothpicks. While you can certainly skip the toothpicks, they come in handy to secure the stuffing inside the chicken as it cooks. Without them, the stuffing may spill out, leaving you with a less-than-perfect presentation. However, if you don’t have toothpicks on hand or prefer to skip them, that’s okay too! Just be sure to handle the chicken carefully and consider using a kitchen string to tie it closed if needed.
Air fry & don’t forget to turn. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer and cook for 14-18 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breasts) or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully flip the chicken breast halfway through the cooking. I turned mine on the other side with the help of two spatulas after the 7-minute mark and cooked for a total of 14 minutes. I used my Ninja 6-in-1 air fryer. (See picture below)
Tip: You may choose to use parchment paper for this recipe for an easy clean-up. Be sure to remove the parchment paper when air fryer is preheating.
Serve
Chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese is a complete meal that is all about balance and complementing flavors! I feel that it’s perfect for a quick family dinner on busy weeknights or a weekend brunch with friends. You can enjoy it as is, however, may I suggest serving some potatoes on the side?
I love these Blooming Baked Potatoes or Air Fryer mashed Potato cakes. I feel that they provide a great texture contrast with the chicken, and they also soak up any delicious sauces and spices you’ve added.
Alternatively, you could opt for a simple side salad. I love this creamy Cucumber Radish salad for a lighter meal, but still with a bit of crunch to contrast with the tenderness of the chicken.
Variations
I adore how versatile is this stuffed chicken recipe. You can easily swap out the broccoli for another vegetable, such as spinach, or asparagus, or try stuffing the chicken with Air Fryer onions, or Air Fryer Mushrooms and Broccoli mix. You can also use different types of cheese, such as feta, Parmesan, goat cheese, or Brie.
I love how easy it is to make this broccoli-stuffed chicken. The air fryer does all the work for you, and there’s no need to worry about turning on your oven. If you don’t have the air fryer, you can bake it in the oven at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Leftovers
If you end up with the leftover broccoli & cheese mix, you can make the Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Bites. They are the perfect nutritious snack loved especially at game-day gatherings with friends.
You can easily store the uncooked stuffed chicken in the freezer for easy meal prep and to cook at a later date. Simply thaw the prepped stuffed chicken and proceed with cooking directions as per the recipe card below.
Store the leftover cooked stuffed chicken in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 2-4 minutes until warmed through.
More Upgraded Chicken Recipes in the Air Fryer
- Crispy Pickle Juice Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Salt & Vinegar Chicken Wings
- Caprese Hasselback Stuffed Chicken
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
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Air Fryer Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup broccoli cooked and finely chopped
- 2 chicken breasts I used boneless skinless chicken breasts, ¾ to 1-inch thick.
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded (or shredded cheese of your choice)
- 2 oz Cream cheese softened
- 1 Egg large
- ½ teaspoon salt salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Chicken seasoning Or seasoning of choice. I used Good shit.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs optional, see notes below
Instructions
- Prep the Broccoli. Boil or steam your broccoli florets as you normally would, but may I also recommend roasting broccoli for the dish? Roasting broccoli brings out a wonderful flavor that pairs well with creamy cheese stuffing. Simply toss your broccoli with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and roast in the air fryer until it's tender and slightly browned. The result will be a flavorful and tender Air-fryer broccoli that has a slightly charred exterior and will take your stuffed chicken to the next level.
- Mix the cooked finely chopped broccoli and cheese together in a large bowl. Add the egg, and seasoning, and mix everything together with your hands until it forms a sticky mixture.
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit (198°C).While the air fryer is heating up, butterfly the chicken breasts – slicing a pocket into the center of each chicken breast, being careful not to slice all the way through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, garlic powder, and a teaspoon of preferred seasoning. I used the Good shit Seasoning. Add the broccoli and cheese mix to the center of the chicken breasts (about 1-2 tablespoons depending on the size of your chicken breasts).
- Close the chicken breast with toothpicks. While you can certainly skip the toothpicks, they come in handy to secure the stuffing inside the chicken as it cooks. Without them, the stuffing may spill out, leaving you with a less-than-perfect presentation. However, if you don't have toothpicks on hand or prefer to skip them, that's okay too! Just be sure to handle the chicken carefully or consider using a kitchen string to tie it closed if needed.
- Air fry & don’t forget to turn. Place the chicken breasts in the air fryer and cook for 14-18 minutes (depending on the size of your chicken breasts) or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully flip the chicken breast halfway through the cooking. I turned mine on the other side with the help of two spatulas after the 7-minute mark and cooked for a total of 14 minutes. I used my Ninja 6-in-1 air fryer.Tip: You may choose to use parchment paper for this recipe for an easy clean-up. Be sure to remove the parchment paper when air fryer is preheating.
- Transfer from the air fryer to the plate. Let sit for 3 minutes. Slice, serve and enjoy!
