Trader Joes Orange Chicken Fried Rice

This crispy, sweet, and savory Trader Joes Orange Chicken Fried Rice is made with just two frozen favorites and ready in under 25 minutes. The hero moment happens when you toss the hot, air-fried chicken in that sticky orange ginger sauce before piling it onto the sizzling rice. I love keeping these bags in my freezer for those nights when calling for delivery feels like too much effort.

Better Than Takeaway

I used to think frozen meals were strictly for desperate times, but combining these two specific Trader Joe’s items feels like a legitimate cooking hack. The secret isn’t just heating them up; it’s about texture contrast. By air frying the chicken instead of baking it, you get a shatteringly crisp coating that stays crunchy even after being coated in the sticky sauce.

My biggest mistake early on was microwaving the rice, which made it gummy and sad. I learned that you absolutely must pan-fry the frozen rice with a little oil and maybe an extra egg to get that authentic, slightly chewy “fried rice” mouthfeel you expect from a restaurant.

Jump to Recipe

Trader Joes Orange Chicken Fried Rice Ingredients

• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken (frozen)
• 1 bag Trader Joe’s Vegetable Fried Rice (frozen)
• 1 tbsp Vegetable oil (for frying the rice)
• 2 Large eggs (optional, for extra protein)
• 1 tbsp Water (for the sauce)
• 2 stalks Green onions, sliced (for garnish)
• 1 tsp Sesame seeds (optional garnish)

How To Make Trader Joes Orange Chicken Fried Rice

1. Crisp the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Add the frozen chicken pieces in a single layer (do not add the sauce packets yet). Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is golden and very crispy. If using an oven, bake at 400°F for 20 minutes on a baking sheet.
2. Heat the Rice: While the chicken cooks, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the frozen Vegetable Fried Rice. Stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until the rice is hot and starting to get crispy edges.
3. Add the Eggs (Optional): Push the rice to one side of the pan to create an open space. Crack the eggs into the space and scramble them with a spatula until set, then mix them into the rice. Turn off the heat.
4. Prepare the Sauce: Microwave the sauce packets in a microwave-safe bowl for 60 seconds or until hot. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of water if the sauce looks too thick.
5. Toss and Serve: Place the crispy chicken in a large bowl and pour the hot sauce over it. Toss immediately to coat every piece. Serve the sticky chicken over the hot fried rice and top with green onions and sesame seeds.

Recipe Tips

• Don’t sauce too early: Only toss the chicken in the sauce right before serving. If you let it sit, the breading will absorb the liquid and lose its signature crunch.
• Air fryer is king: While the oven works, an air fryer is the only way to get that deep-fried texture without the oil. It makes the coating incredibly sturdy against the sauce.
• Enhance the rice: The frozen rice is good, but adding fresh garlic, a splash of soy sauce, or a drizzle of sesame oil while frying it wakes up the flavors significantly.

What To Serve With Trader Joes Orange Chicken Fried Rice

To balance the heavy sweetness of the orange sauce, I like to serve this with a side of steamed broccoli or garlicky green beans. A simple cucumber salad with rice vinegar and chili flakes also adds a refreshing crunch that cuts through the richness of the fried food.

How To Store

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheating is tricky because the chicken will lose its crunch; the best method is to reheat the rice in the microwave and the chicken in the air fryer or oven to crisp it back up slightly.

FAQs

Can I make this gluten-free?
The standard Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken is not gluten-free due to the breading and soy sauce. You would need to buy their gluten-free battered chicken nuggets and make your own orange sauce to keep it safe.

Is the sauce spicy?
It has a very mild kick from ginger and red chili, but it is primarily sweet. If you are sensitive to spice, you can use only half the sauce packet or dilute it with a little orange juice.

Can I use the Japanese Fried Rice instead?
Yes, the Trader Joe’s Japanese Fried Rice with edamame is a delicious substitute. It has a slightly different flavor profile with seaweed and tofu, but it pairs surprisingly well with the orange chicken.

Nutrition

• Calories: 560
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 125mg
• Sodium: 980mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 68g
• Protein: 24g