Go Back
–+ servings
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken And Broccoli

Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken and Broccoli

5 from 3 votes
Author: Laurie Fleming
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

A complete 20-minute weeknight dinner — Trader Joe's frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken and fresh broccoli florets cooked together in the air fryer for crispy, sticky-sauced chicken and tender-crisp broccoli, all in one basket. Ready faster than delivery and crispier than the oven version.

Ingredients 

  • 22 ounces Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken, 1 bag, frozen
  • 2 cups broccoli florets, bite-sized
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil, or avocado oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional, for garnish
  • 2 stalks green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes. While it heats, place the sealed sauce packet in a bowl of hot tap water to thaw.
  • Add the frozen orange chicken pieces to the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  • Cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, shaking the basket at the 5-minute mark.
  • While the chicken cooks, toss the broccoli florets with the oil, salt, and pepper.
  • After 10 minutes, add the seasoned broccoli to the basket on top of and around the chicken.
  • Cook for another 6-8 minutes at 400°F, shaking once at the halfway point, until the chicken is golden brown and the broccoli is tender-crisp.
  • Transfer everything to a large bowl. Pour the thawed orange sauce over the top and toss gently to coat.
  • Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately over rice.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Notes

Notes

  • Sauce packet: Drop it in hot tap water the moment you start preheating. It'll be pourable when the chicken is done.
  • Do not overcrowd: Single-layer chicken is the difference between crispy and soggy. Cook in batches if needed.
  • Don't sauce in the basket: Always toss the sauce in a separate bowl after cooking — it'll burn and stick if it goes back in the air fryer.
  • For frozen broccoli: No need to thaw, skip the oil, add 2-3 minutes to the second cook time.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 207kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 35gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 342mgPotassium: 741mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 391IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg