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by Diane
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One of our favorite dinners is Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Chicken. Yes, it’s frozen kung pao chicken from Trader Joe’s and within minutes of air frying, dinner is served! It’s definitely a game changer because the air fried chicken and veggies are cooked perfectly.
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Chicken
Reheating frozen kung pao chicken from Trader Joe’s in the air fryer is the best way to prepare one ofTrader Joe’spopular items. The hot circulating air cooks the already precooked chicken nuggets to perfection. The veggies and onion are cooked perfect too. The crispy crust of the chicken is amazing and within minutes it’s perfectly crunchy on the outside and reheated on the inside. All you need to do is to add the heated sauce and your kung pao dinner is complete. It’s just as good as take out and you save alot of money.
Video: Air Fried Frozen Trader Joe’s Kung Pao Chicken
HOW TO Re-Heat TRADER JOE’S FROZEN KUNG PAO CHICKENIN THE AIR FRYER
- What ever location you buy the frozen kung pao bag at, they’re sure to be the same size.Trader Joe’s is good about keeping their products pretty consistent.
- TIMING ADJUSTMENT: All air fryer models cook a little differently so you’ll have to adjust timing accordingly. Our timing in the recipe box below talks more about where to start.
- FROZEN SAUCE: The kung pao sauce is easily heated on the microwave so that saves a pot to wash. Although the instructions on the bag say that you can heat the sauce on the stove top, we find it easier in the microwave.
- MORE VEGGIES: If you want to make it healthier air fry some broccoli, cauliflower or other vegetables after the kung pao chicken mix is cooked. Make sure the vegetable is of the type and size to cook around the same time as the chicken.
- All recipe details are in the recipe box below.
- Pro-Tip: here’s our favorite tools to help make air frying easier:
We LOVEEvo Oil Sprayers. Not the prettiest, but they’re functional and spritz oil great! They don’t clog up like many others we’ve bought. There’s different styles, but all seem to have the same great spray head. Works great for grilling!
There are Square Mats & Round Mats. These perforated non-stick silicone mats are used to cook food in your air fryer or steamer to minimize sticking. Holes allow hot circulating air to cook the food & keeps the food from sticking.
Parchment sheets are great for your air fryer or bamboo steamer (food tends to stick most on wire basket or tray). Choose from different sizes, shapes, white and brown (unbleached). Holes allow air to cook food evenly.
What To Serve with Kung Pao Chicken?
- White Rice or Brown Rice is a hearty accompaniment.
- Couscous, Quinoa or other grain is a nice alternative.
- Serve with lettuce for lettuce wraps. Kung Pao Chicken lettuce wraps are awesome!
- Noodles are fantastic for a kung pao noodle dish.
- Check out all our Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods in the Air fryer. Have you tried their orange chicken yet? It’s amazing!
Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Frozen Kung Pao Chicken
Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 17 minutes mins
For best and even cooking, don’t overcrowd the basket. Fill just an even single layer of the chicken. Don’t coat the chicken with the sauce until after you air fry the chicken. Heat the sauce separately then toss before serving.
5 from 5 votes
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Ingredients
- 23 ounces (652g) Trader Joe’s Frozen Kung Pao Chicken
- optional – chopped cilantro &/or green onion , for garnish
- oil spray , for the veggies
Equipment
Instructions
Place the frozen orange chicken in the air fryer basket and spread out into a single even layer. No oil spray is needed. Set the sauce, vegetables, and peanuts aside (do not sauce the chicken yet).
Air Fry at 380°F/195°C for 8 minutes. Add the vegetables (if you like the peanuts toastier you can add them now too) and shake/stir to combine with the chicken pieces. Spray with oil spray to lightly coat the vegetables.
While the chicken and vegetables air fry: Warm the sauce in microwave or on stovetop until heated through.
Continue to Air Fry at 380°F/195°C for another 3-6 minutes or until heated through.
Toss cooked chicken with as much sauce as you like, peanuts, optional cilantro and/or green onion and serve.
If your air fryer is preheated or if you are cooking multiple batches, you may need to reduce timing by a few minutes (unless preheating is called for in the recipe).
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
Calories: 240kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 90mg, Sodium: 690mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 8g
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 240
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES with Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods:
- Trader Joe’s Frozen Foods Tips and How to Air Fry Them
- Air Fried Frozen Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Frozen Orange Chicken
- ALL OUR FROZEN FOODS in the Air Fryer
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posted in: 30 Minute Recipes, Air Fryer, Air Fryer Frozen Foods, Asian, Entrees, Paleo, 4 comments
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Leave a Reply
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Emilia — Reply
This was much better than microwaving. I love using my air fryer.
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Yvette — Reply
This came out great in the air fryer. The chicken came out perfectly cooked.
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Joseph — Reply
Thanks so much for this recipe! air frying the chicken was so much better than heating up on the stove top. Crispy, tender, juicy, all the while using less oil than the stove top method. next time i try this, I will put the veggies in at the same time as the chicken.
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Diane — Reply
Hi Joseph, we totally agree that air frying the chicken is a game changer. Thanks for sharing!
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