This air fryer orange chicken tastes just like you ordered takeout! It’s similar to the sweet and citrusy traditional fried orange chicken, but without all the oil (and far fewer calories!) The outside of the chicken turns out nice and crispy while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. In under 20 minutes, you’ll have a delectable dinner on the table that the whole family will love.
What’s for dinner? When I think of quick and easy dinners, my mind immediately goes to takeout. But the truth is, it can be hard on your wallet and waistline when we rely too much on restaurant food.
This air fryer frozen orange chicken is a great alternative to make when the craving for Chinese hits! This recipe post will show you how to make air fryer orange chicken from frozen orange chicken (I used Innovasain) that is found in the freezer section of pretty much any grocery store.
Ideal for an appetizer, busy weeknights, or a game-day snack, this tasty recipe is a winner! The aromas of air fryer frozen orange chicken will fill the house and have everyone clamoring for dinner.
It’s so good that your family will think they’re eating takeout!
Why You’ll Love This Frozen Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Even though this organe chicken starts out frozen it cooks fast and crisps fast in the air fryer.
- Clean up is a breeze with this “one basket” recipe
- A great choice for families with children. The entire family will want seconds.
- Savory and sweet flavors that are better than takeout. The outside is crispy and you don’t have to worry about your chicken getting soggy on the drive home!
What You Need To Make Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken
- Frozen Orange Chicken (I used InnoVasian)
- Green onion tops (optional for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional for garnish)
Equipment Needed
- Air fryer
- Tongs – to flip the chicken
- Serving dish
How to Make Frozen Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the sauce under hot water to start warming up.
- Place the frozen orange chicken into the basket of the air fryer.
- Air Fry the chicken at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- Add the orange sauce to the chicken and stir until coated.
- Add the chicken back to the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cooked fully through.
- Serve with fried rice or steamed rice and your favorite sides.
- Garnish with green onion tops and sesame seeds if desired.
Note: This recipe was made with a 5.8qt Cosori Air Fryer. You may need to adjust the cooking time if using a different brand of air fryer.
Storage
In the unlikely event, you have any leftovers- because this orange chicken is just that fantastic, store it in an airtight container. Orange chicken may be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
The best technique for reheating leftover orange chicken to its crispy state is to re-master it in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated all the way through.
Tips For Making the Perfect Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Do not overfill your air fryer basket. Overfilling the air fryer basket will prevent adequate circulation of air, resulting in unevenly cooked chicken.
- When air frying, place the chicken in a single even layer.
What To Serve/Pair With Your Frozen Air Fryer Orange Chicken
Besides a bed of warm rice, you can serve air fryer orange chicken alongside some Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts or Air Fryer Asparagus.
For a sweet dessert, the whole family will love try these oh-so-good Nutella Buttercream Cupcakes!
Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken FAQs
Do I thaw frozen orange chicken before cooking?
No, using the frozen chicken straight from the freezer to the air fryer is actually better. Chicken that has been thawed before cooking may become soggy and mushy, even in the air fryer.
Innovasian orange chicken comes with a pouch of citrus orange sauce. Do I add this to the chicken before cooking?
No. To thaw the sauce pouch, put it in a bowl of warm water while cooking frozen orange chicken. After 10 minutes, place it in a serving dish with the sauce to coat, and then add the coated chicken back to the air fryer for 3-5 minutes.
Can I use my oven instead of the air fryer for this recipe?
Yes! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Empty bag of tempura chicken onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove chicken from the oven, toss with sauce, and enjoy.
How can I make this recipe a little more spicy?
If you like a little more heat in your meal, add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce packet.
Can I freeze leftover air fryer orange chicken?
Yes. In an airtight container, air fryer orange chicken will freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, let thaw in refrigerator, then reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.
Is Innovasian orange chicken gluten-free?
No. This product does contain gluten. If you have a gluten sensitivity, check the labels to see whether any of the brands don’t contain gluten.
Can I pour the whole bag of frozen chicken into the air fryer at one time?
Yes. Place the chicken in a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket. Overfilling the air fryer basket will cause insufficient circulation of air, resulting in unevenly cooked chicken.
To keep the chicken warm between batches, preheat your oven to 275 and place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with paper towels and then transfer it to the oven to keep warm while you cook your subsequent batches.
More Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Easy Naked Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Frozen Air Fryer Chicken Strips
- Air Fryer Chicken Fried Steak
- Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders
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Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 box orange chicken frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Place the sauce under hot water to start warming up.
- Place the frozen orange chicken into the basket of the air fryer.
- Air Fry the chicken at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.
- Add the orange sauce to the chicken and stir until coated. Add the chicken back to the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cooked fully through.
- Serve with fried rice or steamed rice and your favorite sides.
- Garnish with green onion tops and sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
In the unlikely event, you have any leftovers- because this orange chicken is just that fantastic, store it in an airtight container. Orange chicken may be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
The best technique for reheating leftover orange chicken to its crispy state is to re-master it in the air fryer at 350 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes or until heated all the way through.
Tips For Making the Perfect Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Do not overfill your air fryer basket. Overfilling the air fryer basket will prevent the adequate circulation of air, resulting in unevenly cooked chicken.
- When air frying, place the chicken in a single even layer.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.
©PinkWhen 2023
