Are you in need of an insanely delicious meal ready in just 25 minutes? Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken is the ultimate lazy meal that will wow the entire family.
Below, we’re sharing our review of this Trader Joe’s Must Have Item! Plus, ideas for the perfect side dishes to make.
Frozen Orange Chicken air fryer instructions included below in this article and yes it’s amazing in the air fryer. If you choose the air fryer method you’ll be pleasantly surprised on how easy, mess free, faster cooking time and has a delicious crunchy texture.
Why we love TJ’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
This post is long over due. I’ve been buying this amazing orange chicken for, at least, the past 15 years. This still remains my favorite Trader Joe’s frozen item ever. It’s delicious, juicy and tender chicken, coated in a crispy and crunchy breading. Then tossed with an irresistible orange ginger sauce that leaves you want more. There is no need to order take out with this home cooked ridiculously tasty option.
Look for this bag featured below in the freezer section
How to make Trader Joe’s Frozen Orange Chicken
There are a multitude of ways to make this delectable bag of tastiness. Whether you decide to oven bake, pan fry or use an air fryer, you just can’t go wrong. You can find Trader Joe’s orange chicken air fryer instructions below.
How long to cook Trader Joe’s orange Chicken in the air fryer?
Preheat air fryer to 400F/205C. Once preheated, evenly Distribute the entire bag of chicken (remove the 2 sauce packets) into the air fryer. Cook the chicken for 10 minutes and coat with warmed orange sauce. Toss the chicken half way through cooking this ensures even cooking and crispiness.
Suggestions for baking Frozen Orange Chicken
One suggestion, when baking the frozen orange chicken in the oven, line the baking pan with foil or parchment paper. This step is not necessary but aids for an easier clean up. The orange sauce you can heat in a small sauce pan or microwaved in a small bowl.
What sides to make
Click on the links below for easy side dish ideas
Featured in this image above and below is our favorite way to serve this meal. This include Instant Pot White Rice and Easy Roasted Snow Peas Recipe (with a few shredded carrots mixed in).
- Instant Pot White Rice
- Perfect Stove Top White Rice
- The Best Roasted Broccoli
- Delicious Roasted Green Beans
- Easy Roasted Snow Peas
- Trader Joe’s Frozen Fried Rice
- Other veggies of choice
Does Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken contain MSG
The short answer, Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken has no added MSG. Although, MSG is naturally occurring in some foods, even healthy foods like tomatoes and cheese. If MSG is a concern you may not want to add soy sauce to this meal. Soy sauce contains high levels of naturally occurring glutamate.
How to Store Leftovers
When needed, you may refrigerate leftover orange chicken in an air tight container for up to 3 days. When storing the chicken keep in mind that it will lose some crispiness.
Suggestion on serving size
Trader Joe’s states that 1 bag of Mandarin Orange Chicken serves 5. Personally, I think that one bag serves 2 or 3 people. When cooking for your family of 4 or more you may need to purchase multiple bags.
Print
Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 5 1x
Description
Trader Joe’s Must Have Item in your cart!
Ingredients
1 bag Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange chicken
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F
Line a baking pan with parchment paper
Open bag and place the chicken onto the lined baking pan and place aside the 2 packets of orange sauce
Bake the chicken for 18-20 minutes
Heat the orange ginger sauce in a small bowl and microwave for 60-90 seconds or until heated through or heat in a small saucepan on stovetop over medium heat until warmed
Pour the orange sauce right oven the chicken on the pan and toss to coat well
Serve immediately with side dish of choice
- Prep Time: 1
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Dish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Battered chicken dark meat chunks (chicken dark meat, water, corn starch, flour [unbleached enriched wheat flour, barley flour, niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], whole eggs, vegetable oil, salt, white pepper, green onion, garlic, ginger). sauce (sugar, water, vinegar, light soy sauce [soybean, water, salt, wheat flour], modified food starch, dark soy sauce [soybean, water, straw mushroom extractives, salt, wheat flour]. garlic, green onions, ginger white pepper, sake, mandarin orange peel, orange juice, red chile), soybean oil.
22-ounce package of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken for the WOW price of $4.99*, everyday.
Note: Since posting, the details of this item may have changed due to fluctuating market prices, federal regulations, currency rates, drought… Contact Trader Joe’s for current price and availability.
Bake the chicken in a 400º oven; once the chicken is cooked through, add the sauce to a skillet; when the sauce becomes hot, add the chicken and toss together until the sauce adheres to the chicken and caramelizes a bit. You can also microwave the sauce and toss it with the chicken.
SERVING SIZE 1 cup(140g)
CALORIES PER SERVING 320
SERVES ABOUT 5
You can technically heat the Mandarin orange chicken sauce with the use of the microwave, but, Trader Joe’s orange chicken should be either cooked in the air fryer or the oven, as it will lose much of its crispy texture in the microwave. Long story short, don’t do it.
Most Trader Joe’s stores are open daily from 8am-9pm. A few stores may very and it’s best to check with your local Trader Joe’s store.
Trader Joe’s stores are closed on New Years Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Other holidays such as, Easter, Independence Day and Christmas Eve will have reduced store hours.
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Finally gave this a try and WOW! Perfect meal with white rice and broccoli!!!
★★★★★
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You got it Debby. Thanks for reaching out, enjoy the recipes!