If you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner that doesn’t require much effort, Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in Air Fryer is delicious and super simple! Found in the freezer section at TJ’s, it only takes about 15 minutes to prepare so you’ll have plenty of time to relax with your family before bed.
Trader Joes Orange Chicken in Air Fryer
If you’ve never tried Trader Joe’s mandarin orange chicken in the air fryer, I know you’re going to love this fun, takeout-inspired treat! It’s such a great air fryer recipe that you can cook in under 20 minutes. The mandarin orange chicken itself is savory and lightly sweet and coated with a tangy, sticky sauce. This one will definitely have your family asking for seconds.
I like making Trader Joe’s orange chicken in the air fryer on busy weeknights when I have way too much going on to spend extra time in the kitchen. It’s a delicious main dish featuring pieces of marinated chicken breast covered in a tangy, citrus sauce. The sweet and savory flavors pair wonderfully with a variety of sides too!
Some other great Trader Joe’s Meals for Air Fryer are AIR FRYER TRADER JOE’S BANANA BREAD MUFFINS, AIR FRYER TRADER JOE’S FRIED RICE, AIR FRYER TRADER JOE’S FROZEN NAAN BREAD, and AIR FRYER TRADER JOE’S CAULIFLOWER PANCAKES.
Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken
- Budget-friendly
- No excess oil needed
- Crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside
- Ready to serve in just about 20 minutes!
- Kid-tested and approved
Ingredients Needed to Air Fry Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken
You only need a handful of ingredients to make this Trader Joe’s orange chicken air fryer recipe. In fact, all you’ll really need is the frozen chicken… the rest are optional side dishes!
For complete ingredients and quantities, as well as the nutritional information, keep on scrolling until you get to the bottom with a printable recipe card.
- Frozen Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken: Make sure to keep the chicken frozen right until you air fry it. As mentioned, you’ll find it in the freezer section at TJ’s.
- Optional Rice Side: Trader Joe’s also has some great frozen rice options that pair great with orange chicken.
- Optional Garnishes: Nothing says Mandarin orange chicken like a dash of sesame seeds and green onion on top!
How to Make Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken in Air Fryer
Below you’ll find the super easy, step-by-step instructions on how to air fry Trader Joe’s orange chicken.
Step 1: Recipe prep
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 4-5 minutes. Arrange the frozen orange chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave plenty of space between the chicken for the hot air to circulate.
Place the sauce in a bowl of hot water to heat.
Step 2: Air fry
Air fry orange chicken for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket periodically during the cooking process.
Step 3: Assemble & serve
When the chicken is done, remove it from the air fryer and place in a large bowl. Add the sauce and toss to coat.
Serve your Trader Joes orange chicken from air fryer over a bowl of rice with sesame seeds and green onions on top, and enjoy!
Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in Air Fryer Pro Tips
- Shake the basket several times during the cooking process. This will ensure that your Trader Joes orange chicken in air fryer gets perfectly crispy on all sides!
- A single layer in the basket is best. This may mean that you need to make your air fryer Trader Joe’s orange chicken in several batches.
- If you want even more flavor, add your sauce directly to the Trader Joe’s orange chicken in the air fryer after defrosting it. Then, toss it back into the air fryer for a great caramelized taste!
- This recipe will work in an air fryer basket or oven model, including the Ninja Foodi, Instant Pot Vortex, GoWise, Instant Pot Crisp Lid, and Mealthy Lid. Each air fryer’s cooking time will vary, so keep an eye on your chicken as it cooks up!
Serving Suggestions
There’s a bit of a debate over what to serve with orange chicken. Some say it goes great with rice, while others think noodles are the way to go!
And then there are those die-hard fans who maintain that nothing pairs better with air fryer Trader Joe’s orange chicken than plain old steamed broccoli.
No matter what you prefer, I’ve got you covered!
- PERFECT NINJA FOODI BASMATI RICE
- EASY INSTANT POT COCONUT JASMINE RICE
- INSTANT POT GARLIC BROWN RICE
- INSTANT POT WILD RICE
- AIR FRYER BROCCOLI RECIPE ROUND-UP
Storing and Reheating
If you have any leftover air fryer Trader Joe’s orange chicken, let it cool to room temperature before placing in an airtight container. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for about 3-5 days.
You can use your air fryer to reheat! Place in the basket, set the temperature to 350 degrees F, and air fry the Trader Joe’s orange chicken for 5-7 minutes until warmed through.
Trader Joes Orange Chicken Air Fryer FAQs
In the air fryer! I actually recently read that cooking Trader Joe’s Mandarin orange chicken in the air fryer is the most popular way to make it — and for good reason! It comes out perfectly tender and juicy on the inside and crunchy and crispy on the outside. So tasty!
Mine is usually done in about 10 minutes, but remember that all air fryer models are different. The key to making any meat or poultry dish in the air fryer is to use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. When the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F, it’s safe to eat.
Yes! The chicken is already cooked, so all you have to do is heat through to ensure that the outside gets nice and crispy.
Yes, you can make anything that goes well with your frozen orange chicken. I sometimes make this recipe with frozen broccoli or cauliflower. Even a frozen stir-fry vegetable mix works well with this recipe!
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- AIR FRYER TANDOORI CHICKEN LEGS
- EASY AIR FRYER CHICKEN SANDWICH (CHICK-FIL-A COPYCAT)
- AIR FRYER HERB-CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS
- CRISPY AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER PERUVIAN CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS
- AIR FRYER RANCH CHICKEN
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Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in Air Fryer
Description
Ingredients
- 1 package Trader Joe's Frozen Orange Mandarian Chicken
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Spread your frozen orange chicken into the air fryer basket, leaving plenty of space around the chicken so it cooks up to perfection!
- While the chicken is cooking, place the sauce into a bowl of hot water.
- Set the temperature to 400 degrees F and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket frequently during the cooking process.
- When the chicken is fully cooked, add it to a large bowl, add the sauce, and toss to coat. Serve over a bowl of rice, and add a couple of of sprinkles of sesame seeds and green onions right before serving.
Equipment
Nutrition
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