Air-Fried Gochujang Chicken with Roasted Broccoli
This air-fried gochujang chicken is deeply savory with a gentle sweetness that caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer, creating crisp edges and tender, juicy centers. Garlic and ginger round out the sauce with warmth and depth, while roasted broccoli adds charred, nutty notes that keep each bite balanced and satisfying. The contrast of sticky chicken and roasted vegetables works for both adults and kids.
Servings: Four
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
6 cups broccoli florets (1 large head)
3 tablespoons gochujang
2 tablespoons tamari
1 1/2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
3 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon fresh ginger
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon avocado oil
4 scallions (optional)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
PREPARATION
Preheat the oven and air fryer: Heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Set air fryer to 400°F (205°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
Prepare marinade: In a large bowl, whisk gochujang, tamari, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and toasted sesame oil until smooth.
Marinate chicken: Reserve some marinade to glaze at end. Add chicken thighs to the bowl, toss until evenly coated, and let sit while the broccoli goes into the oven.
Roast broccoli: Toss broccoli florets with avocado oil, spread on a sheet pan, and place in the oven. Roast 15 to 18 minutes until tender with browned edges.
Air-fry chicken: Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Air-fry 8 minutes, shaking halfway through until caramelized and cooked through.
Plate: Add broccoli to the plate. Toss chicken with reserve marinade if desired for additional glossiness. Top with sliced scallions and sesame seeds (optional).
Notes:
This works equally well with boneless chicken breasts, but reduce the second air-fry time by 1 to 2 minutes to avoid drying out the meat. Time will depend on the size of the cut chicken.
If you prefer very mild heat, reduce the gochujang to 2 tablespoons and increase the honey to 2 tablespoons.
The broccoli can be swapped for cauliflower florets, green beans, or a mix of broccoli and carrots, using the same oven temperature and timing, adjusting by a few minutes as needed.
