Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Air Fryer Recipe
We all know that Trader Joe's freezer section is packed with all the best, quick comfort food. And if you haven’t tried their orange chicken yet, you’re definitely missing out! I first came across it because my mom and husband are crazy about Panda Express. I’m talking full-on obsession—they ask each other, "Want to go to Panda?" every time they’re together. So when we found out about Trader Joe’s frozen orange chicken, we had to try it.
And if you didn’t know, I absolutely love to air fry everything! Seriously, I air fry all the things. But the thing is—there are no air-frying instructions on the Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken package! If you’ve ever wondered how to air fry Trader Joe’s orange chicken, I’ve got you covered!
Why I love Trader Joe's Orange Chicken
This recipe is a total game changer—it seriously tastes just like Panda Express or your favorite Chinese restaurant takeout, but made right at home.
It only takes less than 15 minutes to whip up! You can enjoy it on its own, over rice, or with some veggies for a simple, tasty meal.
It’s perfect for a busy weeknight when you need an easy dinner, and it’s great for feeding the whole family with little effort.
Ingredients You'll Need:
1 bag of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken (frozen)
Optional:
Scallions/green onions
Sesame seeds
How to Make Trader Joe's Chicken in the Air Fryer
Remove the orange sauce package and place it in a hot water bowl while preparing the frozen chicken.
Place the frozen pieces of chicken in a single layer into an air fryer basket. Be careful not to overlap or crowd.
Air fry at 400°F for 13 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F and that the chicken is crispy on the outside.
Transfer the cooked chicken into a large bowl, and pour the thawed orange sauce onto the chicken. Toss and shake together until well combined.
Optional: Serve on a bowl of rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Enjoy!
Jazz's Tips for Cooking
Cook the chicken straight from frozen—no need to thaw it out.
Place the chicken in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd. The space between the pieces helps them cook evenly and get the best crispy chicken.
Flip the chicken halfway through to make sure it gets crispy on all sides—this is the best way to ensure even crispiness.
To prepare the sauce, place the packet in a bowl of warm water to let it thaw and warm up. This makes it easier to coat the chicken evenly.
Jazz's Tips for Serving
Serve this air fryer Trader Joe’s orange chicken over fluffy rice for a complete meal. I have a fluffy white rice recipe you could use here! Alternatively, you can easily serve with Trader Joe’s microwavable frozen Jasmine Rice for a good shortcut dinner.
Top it off with some fresh green onions for extra flavor. Just chop them up into small pieces and sprinkle them over the chicken before serving.
Add a little crunch with sesame seeds. It's my favorite way to add some texture and bring out the flavor of the orange chicken.
You can also serve it with roasted veggies. If you need ideas, check out my Air Fried Vegetables, Crispy Air Fried Green Beans, or Air Fried Broccoli—these all make the perfect side dishes to pair with your orange chicken.
Reheating and Storing
To reheat the leftover orange chicken and get the best results, simply place it in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes. If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
FAQs
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The main ingredient you will need is a 22 oz package of Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken (frozen). Optional ingredients for pairing or garnishing include rice, scallions, and sesame seeds.
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To cook Trader Joe's Orange Chicken in an air fryer, you'll need to cook it for approximately 13 minutes at 400F. Make sure to flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure it gets crispy on both sides.
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Trader Joe's Orange Chicken comes pre-cooked, which makes it even more convenient for cooking in an air fryer. You simply need to follow the cooking instructions provided in the simple recipe to reheat and achieve crispy perfection.
This air fryer orange chicken is such an easy and delicious meal that tastes just like takeout, but with little effort. Serve it with my fluffy rice, some roasted veggies, or top it with sesame seeds and green onions for a complete meal the whole family will love. It’s definitely one of my go-to weeknight meals, and I hope it will become yours too!
Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Air Fryer Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 22 oz package of Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken (frozen)
- Rice
- Scallions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Remove the orange sauce package and place them in a bowl filled with hot water while you prepare the chicken.
- Place the frozen pieces of chicken in a single layer into an air fryer basket. Careful not to overlap or crowd.
- Air fry at 400F for 13 minutes, flipping halt way. Check to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165F and the chicken is crispy on the outside.
- Transfer cooked chicken into a large bowl, and pour the thawed orange sauce onto the chicken. Toss together until well combined.
- Optional: serve on some fluffy rice, top with scallions and sesame seeds.
- Enjoy!
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