Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken is a beloved frozen food item known for its delicious combination of tangy orange glaze and crispy chicken pieces. Cooking it in an air fryer can be a quick and easy way to achieve that perfect balance of flavor and texture. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of cooking Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in an air fryer, ensuring a delightful meal for you and your loved ones.
Gathering the Ingredients
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients for cooking Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in an air fryer. The ingredients you will need include:
– Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken package
– Air fryer
– Cooking oil spray (preferably one with a high smoke point)
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, you are ready to start the cooking process.
Preparing the Air Fryer
The first step is to preheat your air fryer. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and achieves that perfect crispy texture. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for about 5 minutes.
While your air fryer is preheating, you can move on to preparing the Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken.
Preparing the Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken
Take the package of Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken and carefully open it. Inside, you will find two components – the breaded chicken pieces and the orange glaze sauce.
Cooking the Chicken Pieces
Spread the breaded chicken pieces evenly in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. This allows the hot air to circulate around each piece, ensuring they cook evenly.
Cooking Times
The cooking times may vary depending on the brand and model of your air fryer. However, as a general guideline, cook the chicken for about 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that both sides of the chicken become crispy and golden brown.
Tips for Crispiness
If you desire extra crispiness, you can spray the chicken with cooking oil spray before cooking. This helps achieve that beautiful golden crust that we all love in orange chicken.
The Orange Glaze Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, let’s move on to the orange glaze sauce.
Empty the orange glaze sauce from the Trader Joe’s package into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for about 45 seconds to 1 minute until the sauce is warm and pourable. Stir the sauce to ensure it is fully mixed and heated.
Cooking the Orange Chicken
Once the chicken pieces are crispy and cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and place them in a bowl.
Pour the warm orange glaze sauce over the chicken, making sure all pieces are evenly coated. Use a spoon or spatula to gently toss the chicken in the sauce, ensuring every piece is covered.
Serving and Enjoying
Your Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken cooked in an air fryer is now ready to be served and enjoyed. You can pair it with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.
The air fryer cooking method provides a healthier twist to a classic takeout favorite. By using less oil compared to traditional frying methods, you can savor the flavors guilt-free.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any issues while cooking Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in an air fryer, here are some helpful troubleshooting tips:
Chicken Not Crispy Enough
If your chicken is not as crispy as you’d like, try increasing the cooking time by a few minutes. Check the chicken periodically until it reaches your desired level of crispiness. Additionally, make sure to spread the chicken in a single layer without overcrowding the air fryer basket.
Sauce Too Thick
If the orange glaze sauce becomes too thick, simply add a small amount of warm water or orange juice to thin it out. Add a little at a time, stirring well until the desired consistency is achieved.
Conclusion
Cooking Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this popular frozen food item. The air fryer ensures that the chicken becomes crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. By following this guide, you can create a delightful meal that will have everyone asking for seconds. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your air fryer, and get ready to enjoy some mouthwatering Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken in the comfort of your own home.