If you've picked up Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken from Costco and you're wondering how to make it crispy and restaurant-worthy at home, the air fryer is your best bet. It's fast, easy, and makes this frozen meal taste like takeout-but better.
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Below, I'll walk you through exactly how to cook Costco's orange chicken in your air fryer, how to heat the sauce, what to serve it with, and how it compares to takeout. See my full Costco Orange chicken review on my Costco reviews site.
What Is Costco Crazy Cuizine orange chicken?
Crazy Cuizine's Mandarin Orange Chicken is a fully cooked, frozen meal sold at Costco. Inside the bag, you'll find:
- Crispy breaded chicken pieces (pre-cooked and frozen)
- Sauce packets (sweet, tangy orange sauce)
Each box weighs about 66 ounces (4.12 lbs) and serves 5-6 people.
It's comparable in flavor to the popular Trader Joe's orange chicken, but the pieces are a bit larger and the breading is slightly thicker.
Where to find it in Costco
You'll usually find this orange chicken in the freezer aisle, near other Asian-inspired meals like Bibigo dumplings, frozen noodles, or fried rice. Look for the bright orange box with a photo of saucy chicken on the front.
Why make it in the air fryer?
Microwaving it makes the breading soggy. Oven baking takes longer and can still leave the chicken soft.
Air frying is by far the fastest and crispiest way to cook frozen orange chicken. Here's why it works:
- Crisps up the coating perfectly
- Faster than the oven (done in 12 minutes)
- No added oil or mess
- Perfect texture for tossing in sauce
Ingredients you'll need
- 1 bag Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken (frozen)
- Garnishes (optional): sesame seeds, chopped green onions, red pepper flakes
- Side dishes: jasmine rice, fried rice, or steamed veggies
Serving Suggestions
Pair your orange chicken with:
- Steamed jasmine rice or brown rice
- Air fried broccoli or snap peas
- Costco's frozen vegetable fried rice
- Steamed dumplings or potstickers
How to Reheat Leftovers
With sauce: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4-5 minutes. It won't be as crispy, but still tasty.
Without sauce: Reheat at 375°F for 5-6 minutes, then toss in freshly warmed sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook it from thawed?
You can, but it's not necessary. This recipe is written for frozen. If thawed, reduce cook time to about 6-8 minutes and check for doneness.
How spicy is the sauce?
Not spicy at all-it's sweet, tangy, and kid-friendly. If you like heat, add red pepper flakes or sriracha.
Can I add veggies to the air fryer?
Yes! You can air fry broccoli, snap peas, or bell peppers separately at 375°F for 6-8 minutes, then toss them with the chicken and sauce.
Final thoughts
Costco's Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken turns out perfectly in the air fryer-crispy, hot, and way better than microwaved. Whether you're feeding the family on a weeknight or stocking the freezer for quick dinners, this is one of those reliable Costco meals I always keep on hand.
Looking for more easy frozen dinners? Try my Air Fryer Chicken Katsu, Trader Joe's chimichurri chicken skewers in air fryer and Air fryer Costco chicken bake
Recipe
Air fryer Costco Orange Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 bag Costco orange chicken
- sauce
Instructions
- Place the frozen breaded chicken in a single layer in the basket. Don't overcrowd-cook in 2 batches if needed.
- Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The chicken should be golden brown and fully heated to 165°F internally.
- While the chicken cooks, warm one sauce packet.
- Place the sealed packet in hot water for 5-6 minutes or heat in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally
- Transfer the crispy chicken to a bowl, pour sauce over and stir.
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