Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Air Fryer Recipe
Trader Joe's Orange Chicken in the Air Fryer is perfect if you are craving the delicious flavors of Panda Express but want a quicker and more convenient option that you can make at home. This recipe takes less than 15 minutes to make and delivers the same mouthwatering taste from your favorite Chinese takeout spot. Whether you enjoy it on its own, with fluffy rice, or paired with veggies, this air fryer method is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious, complete meal made fast!
Why We Like This Recipe
My mom and husband are obsessed with Panda Express. Like obsessed is actually an understatement. Every time they are together, they look at each other & say - want to go to Panda?
When we discovered Trader Joe's frozen orange chicken, they had to give it a try.
This recipe is a game changer; it honestly tastes like a replica of Panda Express, but it’s way more convenient because you can have it stocked in your freezer for any night of the week.
It takes less than 15 minutes to make, and you can have it by itself, on rice, or with veggies for a delicious and easy dinner.
It feels like you’re having Panda Express or takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant at home!
It’s great for a busy weeknight meal the whole family will love.
Trader Joe's Chicken in the Air Fryer Ingredients
1 bag of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken (frozen)
Optional:
Rice
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. Careful not to overlap or crowd.
Air fry at 400°F for 13 minutes, flipping halfway. Check to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165F and 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, top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Enjoy!
Tips for Cooking
Cook the chicken from frozen. No need to thaw.
Place the chicken in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure not to overcrowd. The small space between them gets them cooked evenly and crispy.
Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time for the best way to ensure crispy chicken on all sides.
Place the sauce in the bowl of warm water to let it thaw and slightly warm up. This will allow for even coating on the chicken.
Tips for Serving
Serve this air fryer Trader Joe’s orange chicken over fluffy rice for a complete and delicious meal. I have a fluffy white rice recipe you could use! Alternatively, you can easily serve it with Trader Joe’s microwavable frozen Jasmine Rice for a good shortcut dinner.
Finish with green onions for a fresh and flavorful garnish. Simply chop the green onions into small pieces and sprinkle them over the orange chicken before serving.
Sprinkle with sesame seeds for crunch. The sesame seeds will not only provide a nice texture but also is a great way to enhance the flavor of the main dish.
You can also serve it with roasted veggies. I've got some of my favorite Air Fried Vegetables here, a delicious Crispy Air Fried Green Beans recipe, and Air Fried Broccoli for the perfect air fryer orange chicken pairing.
How to Reheat and Store Trader Joe's Chicken in the Air Fryer
Reheating Instructions
To reheat the leftover orange chicken, simply cook the chicken nuggets in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 5 minutes. This will help to crisp up the chicken and warm it through.
Storage
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. This will ensure that the chicken stays fresh and maintains its flavor. When you're ready to enjoy it again, simply follow the reheating instructions above.
FAQ
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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, green onions, and sesame seeds.
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Trader Joe's Orange Chicken is a popular choice among air fryer lovers. The air fryer helps achieve a crispy texture on the outside while keeping the chicken tender inside. It's a convenient and delicious option for a quick weeknight meal.
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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.
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Cook the chicken from frozen. There's no need to thaw the chicken before cooking. Just place the frozen pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Avoid overcrowding the basket. Make sure to arrange the chicken in a single, even layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can prevent the chicken from cooking evenly and getting crispy.
Flip the pieces halfway through the cooking time to ensure that both sides of the chicken get crispy. This will help achieve a nice, golden brown exterior.
While the chicken is cooking, remove the orange sauce packet and place it in a bowl filled with hot water. This will help thaw and slightly warm up the sauce, allowing for a better coating on the chicken.
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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