Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in the Air Fryer
The air fryer is one of the very best ways to cook the super-popular Trader Joe’s orange chicken! Air frying the orange chicken makes it super crisp in a matter of minutes. Serve it with a side of white rice and steamed veggies with a garnish of sesame seeds, and you’ve got a ridiculously easy take-out inspired meal without the price tag.
🍊 What Makes This Recipe So Good
- Cooking Trader Joe’s orange chicken in the air fryer is the best way to cook this popular frozen food! The air fryer perfectly crisps the breading of the chicken, and leaves the inside perfectly tender and juicy. Tossed with a savory orange sauce, this chicken is sure to become a new family favorite!
- This chicken is so easy to make! The air fryer cooks this frozen chicken to perfection in only minutes, so you’ll have a delicious meal ready in no time. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, or even entertaining! If you’re serving a larger crowd, work in batches as to not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will ensure every piece of chicken is perfectly cooked and crisped to perfection!
👩🏼🍳 Chef’s Tips
- You don’t have to defrost this chicken before cooking! Just toss the chicken directly into an even layer in the air fryer basket, and bake. It seriously couldn’t be any easier!
- Every air fryer is different, so be sure to keep an eye on your chicken. You may need a shorter or longer cook time than what is recommended on the recipe card. Just pause the air fryer every few minutes and open the basket to check chicken, adjusting cook time as needed.
More Quick and Easy Recipes You’ll Love
- Potato Crusted Cod
- Lemon Pepper Pasta
- Frozen Burrito in the Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Chicken Carnitas
- Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles
- Air Fryer Quesadilla
Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- medium bowl (filled with hot water)
- air fryer
- large wooden spoon
- large bowl
Ingredients
For the Orange Chicken
- mandarin orange ginger sauce (from bag of orange chicken)
- 1 22-ounce bag Trader Joe's Frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken
Serving Suggestions (All Optional)
- cooked white rice
- thinly sliced fresh green onions
- sesame seeds
- orange wedges
Instructions
- Place packet of mandarin orange ginger sauce in medium bowl of hot water. Set aside.
- Preheat air fryer to 400° Fahrenheit.
- When air fryer is preheated, remove basket and add 1 22-ounce bag Trader Joe's Frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken. Spread frozen chicken out into single even layer, working in batches as needed so as not to overcrowd basket.
- Return basket to air fryer. Air fry frozen chicken 4 minutes.
- After 4 minutes, remove basket from air fryer and shake basket to toss frozen chicken.
- Return basket to air fryer. Air fry chicken 4 minutes more or until chicken is heated through and crisp.
- When chicken is ready, remove basket from air fryer and transfer chicken to large bowl. Repeat process with any remaining frozen orange chicken as necessary.
- When all chicken has been cooked through, pour warm mandarin orange ginger sauce over chicken in large bowl. Stir or toss chicken to fully coat in sauce.
- Portion orange chicken into serving bowls with cooked white rice, if desired. Garnish with thinly sliced fresh green onions, sesame seeds, and orange wedges (all optional) and serve immediately.
Notes
- Cook Time: All air fryers behave differently, so exact cook times will vary. Watch the chicken closely during the last 4 minutes and adjust the cook time as needed.
Recipe costs provided are approximate. Actual cost per recipe & serving will vary by location, store, brand, etc. Approximate cost shown does not include costs for any optional ingredients.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes. Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used. To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
