If you’ve ever craved Chinese takeout at 7 PM on a weeknight but didn’t want to wait for delivery or change into real clothes for pick-up, this one’s for you. Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + an air fryer = a quick and comforting dinner that’s ready faster than you can decide what to order.
This is one of those freezer staples I always keep on hand for “oops, I forgot to defrost something” nights. In just about 15 minutes, you get perfectly crispy chicken bites that taste shockingly close to restaurant-style orange chicken — and all you did was toss it in the air fryer.
Why I Love This Quick Fix
I’ll be honest — I’ve caved to takeout more times than I care to admit just because I was tired. But once I realized how good Trader Joe’s orange chicken turns out in the air fryer, it became one of my weeknight life-savers.
No waiting, no greasy mess, and no compromise on flavor. The outside gets that golden crunch while the inside stays juicy. And that sweet, tangy orange sauce? It hits just right after a long day. It’s the kind of shortcut dinner I rely on when I just want to curl up with a bowl of something delicious and not think too hard.
What You’ll Learn Here
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The exact air fryer steps for crispy frozen orange chicken
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My personal tips to make it even better
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Simple side dish ideas to round out the meal
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How I store and reheat leftovers without turning them soggy
Quick Guide: How I Make Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in the Air Fryer
Ingredients Needed:
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1 bag of frozen Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
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Microwave-safe bowl & water (to thaw the sauce packet)
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Optional: jasmine rice, scallions, sesame seeds for serving
Step-by-step:
1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F for about 5 minutes. I like to preheat mine empty so the basket gets hot before the chicken hits it.
2. Arrange the frozen chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Leave a little space between each one so the hot air can crisp them up evenly.
3. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, shaking the basket around the 5-minute mark. This gets them evenly golden on all sides.
4. While the chicken cooks, put the sauce packet in a bowl of hot water (from the microwave works fine) to let it thaw. I usually heat the water for 1-2 minutes, then drop the sauce in to sit.
5. Once the chicken is done, toss it in a mixing bowl and drizzle the warmed sauce over top. Stir with a spoon or toss with tongs until everything’s nicely coated.
6. Serve hot over jasmine rice or noodles, topped with scallions or sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy.
Is It Pre-Cooked?
Yes, and thank goodness for that. Since it’s fully cooked already, we’re really just heating it through and crisping up the outside. That’s why it’s so quick — perfect for those “nothing in the fridge” kind of nights.
How Long Should I Air Fry It?
Eight minutes is the magic number in my air fryer. The pieces come out golden, crunchy, and cooked through. If your air fryer runs a little cooler or the chicken’s stuck together, you might need an extra minute — but check around 8 first.
My Go-To Tips for Best Results
Here’s what I’ve learned from making this many (many) times:
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Don’t crowd the basket. If you pile them up, they’ll steam instead of crisp. Spread them out — it really makes a difference.
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Flip or shake halfway. I usually give the basket a good shake around the 5-minute mark so they brown evenly.
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Warm the sauce while the chicken cooks. If you pour it on cold, it cools the chicken down — not ideal. I soak the sauce packet in hot water while the air fryer’s running so it’s ready to go.
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Serve immediately. These are best when they’re hot and crisp. The longer they sit, the more the coating softens.
Can I Toss Veggies in There Too?
If your air fryer is roomy, absolutely. Just keep the chicken in a single layer and toss in some quick-cooking veggies like broccoli florets or sliced bell peppers along the edges. Otherwise, I just do a second batch right after. It’s still quicker than cooking everything on the stove.
What I Like to Serve With It
You can dress this meal up or down depending on your mood:
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Steamed or air fryer jasmine rice (a must for soaking up that sticky orange sauce)
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Quick sautéed or air-fried green beans
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Roasted or air fryer carrots or Brussels sprouts
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A simple cucumber salad if I want something fresh and crunchy on the side
Sometimes, I toss everything together like a rice bowl with a drizzle of chili crisp on top. Easy, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
How I Store Leftovers (If There Are Any)
Let the chicken cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually use a shallow container so it doesn’t get too steamy and soggy. It’ll keep well for about 3 to 4 days.
Best Way to Reheat Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Skip the microwave if you can — it’ll make the breading soft. I pop the leftover chicken into the air fryer at 350°F for about 2–3 minutes. Just enough to warm them through and bring back a bit of crunch.
If I’m using a sauce pan or silicone liner, cleanup is super easy too — worth it for weeknight reheat dinners.
Let me know if you try it — or if you’ve hacked a fun twist with it!
Experience a taste of your favorite takeout, right at home, with the irresistible crispiness of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken made in the air fryer. Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Air Fryer Trader Joe's Orange Chicken
Ingredients
Optional for serving:
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 138Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 71mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g
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