Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken
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We tested frozen Trader Joe’s orange chicken in the air fryer. Our results were great and it’s a game changer! We’re obsessed with the texture and flavor of air fryer Trader Joe’s frozen foods in their stocked freezer aisle. t’s just as good as takeout!
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken from Frozen
Air fryer Trader Joe’s Orange chicken is amazing and the best way to reheat one of Trader Joe’s most popular frozen foods. The hot circulating air cooks the already precooked chicken nuggets to perfection. The crust of the chicken is amazing and within minutes it’s perfectly crunchy on the outside and reheated on the inside. All you need to do is to add the heated sauce and your mandarin chicken dinner is complete. Way easier and more budget friendly than take out!
Video: How to Air Fry Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
Tips on How to Cook Trader Joe’s frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken in the Air Fryer
- The good part about this is that the product is pretty consistent. So what ever location you buy the bag at, they’re sure to be the same size.
- Make sure to lay the frozen chicken in a single layer for even cooking.
- All air fryers cook a little differently so you’ll have to adjust timing accordingly. Our timing in the recipe box below talks more about where to start.
- The sauce is easily heated on the microwave so that saves a pot to wash. Although the instructions on the bag say that you can heat the sauce on the stove top, we find it easier in the microwave.
- Seriously these air fried frozen chicken nuggets are good on their own without the sauce! If you’re kids are craving chicken nuggets these are way better than other brands. The crunchy crust on the outside is so good and seasoned perfectly.
- If you want to make it healthier air fry some broccoli, cauliflower or other vegetables after the chicken is cooked. Just make sure the vegetable is of the type and size to cook around the same time as the chicken.
- All recipe details are in the recipe box below.
- Pro-Tip: here’s our favorite tools to help make air frying easier:
We LOVE Evo Oil Sprayers. Not the prettiest, but they’re functional and spritz oil great! They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!
There are Square Mats & Round Mats. These perforated non-stick silicone mats are used to cook food in your air fryer or steamer to minimize sticking. Holes allow hot circulating air to cook the food & keeps the food from sticking.
Parchment sheets are great for your air fryer or bamboo steamer (food tends to stick most on wire basket or tray). Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 22 ounces (624 g) Trader Joe’s Frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken
- optional – chopped cilantro &/or green onion , for garnish
- optional – cooked rice to serve with chicken
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the frozen orange chicken in the air fryer basket and spread out into a single even layer. No oil spray is needed. Set the sauce aside (do not sauce the chicken yet).
- Air Fry at 400°F/205°C for 8 minutes. Shake and flip the chicken pieces over and then continue to Air Fry at 400°F/205°C for another 2-4 minutes or until heated through and crispy.
- Warm the orange sauce in microwave for 1 minute or on stovetop for 2-3 minutes on medium heat. Toss cooked chicken with as much sauce as desired. Garnish with optional cilantro and/or green onion and serve on cooked rice if desired.
If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Other Sauce Options for Air Fryer Orange Chicken
TJ’s orange chicken recipe is great but we do find that the sauce can be a little on the sweet side. If you don’t want to use the Trader Joe’s sauce packets, you can use other sauces. Just follow the instructions that we have in the recipe box, then you can substitute these other sauce ideas:
- Teriyaki sauce
- Ponzu sauce
- bbq sauce
- honey mustard
- chili crunch, chili oil or other hot sauces
- Sesame seeds
- drizzle of simple soy sauce
- some fresh grated ginger
- dash of black chinese vinegar
- Serve with fried rice, brown rice or your favorite grain! This is so good, you won’t have any leftover orange chicken.
11 Comments on “Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Frozen Mandarin Orange Chicken”
I do this in my Instant Pot Duo Plus using the Air Fryer Lid, 10 minutes @400F, right in the inner liner – comes out perfect! Thanks for this option!
That’s awesome Maeve! The air fryer lid is a great tool.
I followed this recipe and it turned out perfect.
I’ve been obsessing over this orange chicken bag from Trader Joe’s. It’s really good.
Super easy! This is the only way we now have the orange chicken!Â
I usually cook this (TJ Mandarin Orange Chicken) on the stovetop with coconut oil. And personally, I don’t like it. The only reason I make is because my son LOVES it. Today, my son suggested to cook it in the air fryer. I came across your page and I am so glad I did! The timing and temperature made the chicken extra crispy. I actually enjoyed this meal for the very first time! Thank you for suggesting this.Â
Thanks Patty! And so glad your Son suggested the air fryer. It’s an amazing cooking appliance.
You don’t even need a microwave for the sauce. Just take the large bowl where you’ll be stirring up the chicken, fill that bowl with your hottest tap water, and let the sauce packet sit in that while you fry the chicken. The sauce will be ready to go when you need it, and you haven’t used any other dishes or devices.
I much preferred cooking this in the air fryer over the microwave. The chicken came out crispy and perfectly heated.Â
I love buying these at Trader Joe’s and this air fryer option is amazing! Thanks for showing us an alternative and better way to cook it.
Hi Gina! So glad you enjoy these air fried orange chicken pieces. It’s hard to cook them in any other way than the air fryer.