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Easy Recipes for Everyone

Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken

Home » Popular » Air Fryer Recipes » Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken

Published December 11, 2021 by Jennifer. 2 Comments.
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Air fryer frozen orange chicken perfect for weeknights just dump a bag of Innovasian orange chicken or your fav brand and it’s ready in no time!
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5 from 2 votes
Orange chicken on a white plate served over rice.
Air fryer frozen orange chicken perfect for weeknights just dump a bag of Innovasian orange chicken or your fav brand and it’s ready in no time! An easy air fryer recipe the whole family will enjoy!

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.

Air fryer orange chicken over rice on a white plate ready to eat.

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)
Orange chicken frozen in a box and a bowl of rice.

Equipment Needed

  • Air fryer
  • Tongs – to flip the chicken
  • Serving dish

How to Make Frozen Air Fryer Orange Chicken 

  1. Preheat the Air Fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit. 

  2. Place the sauce under hot water to start warming up.

  3. Place the frozen orange chicken into the basket of the air fryer. 

    Frozen Orange Chicken in the air fryer basket ready to be cooked.

  4. Air Fry the chicken at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. 

  5. Add the orange sauce to the chicken and stir until coated.

    Chicken cooked and topped with orange sauce in a bowl before adding it back to the basket to finish cooking.

  6. Add the chicken back to the air fryer basket and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes or until cooked fully through. 

    Fully cooked frozen orange chicken in the basket of the air fryer, topped with green onion tops.

  7. Serve with fried rice or steamed rice and your favorite sides. 

  8. Garnish with green onion tops and sesame seeds if desired.

    Overhead shot of orange chicken topped with toasted sesame seeds and green onion tops and served over rice.

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.

Air fryer orange chicken topped with green onion tops and sesame seeds and served over white rice.

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

I Would Love to Hear From YOU!

Let Me Know What You Think!

Be sure to leave a review of this recipe and give it a star rating. It lets me know how I am doing and lets others know they should try it! 

Tag Me In Your Photos! Are you on Facebook? If so, join the Easy Air Fryer Recipes Group (with hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer Fans!) and share your photos! I love to see your creations. If you’re on Instagram, tag me @pinkwhenjen. 

Have a Question or General Feedback?

Jump down to the COMMENT section and let me know! I would love to help and also love feedback on all of my posts. 

Have you made this? Rate our recipe below! Print the recipe, rate it, and learn more about PinkWhen!
Orange chicken on a white plate served over rice.
Review Recipe
5 from 2 votes
Print

Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken

Air fryer frozen orange chicken perfect for weeknights just dump a bag of Innovasian orange chicken or your fav brand and it’s ready in no time!
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 244kcal
Author Jennifer West

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

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. 

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

Calories: 244kcal | Protein: 21g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 79mg | Potassium: 214mg | Vitamin A: 159IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
**Nutrition facts are based on my best estimation for this recipe. They may not be accurate depending on what brands you use or modifications you might make to the recipe. For most accurate calculations, I recommend using a nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you use with the recipe.
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December 11, 2021 · 2 Comments

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Do you feel like there is not enough time in the day? I'm with you. Hi! I'm Jen, a wife, mother, and tennis lover who likes to share all of my quick easy recipes, crafts, and more. You can find anything from delicious 30-minute dinners or scrumptious dessert recipes the whole family will love. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Bonnie says

    February 5, 2022 at 08:47

    Can I use foil when cooking the orange chicken?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      February 17, 2022 at 12:41

      If your air fryer allows you to use foil, you most certainly can! 🙂

      Reply

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