12 Frozen Orange Chicken Brands, Ranked Worst To Best
Orange chicken is a takeout favorite that’s now widely available in freezer aisles across America. Tangy, sweet, and satisfying, this Chinese-American classic saves dinner when cooking from scratch feels impossible.
I’ve sampled countless frozen versions over the years, from budget-friendly basics to premium restaurant-branded options, to help you find the perfect orange chicken for your next quick meal.
1. Smart Ones Flavorful Asian Inspirations Orange Sesame Chicken
My first bite of Smart Ones left me wondering where the orange went. The sauce puddles at the bottom of the tray, watery and bland, while the chicken pieces have a strange spongy texture that’s more reminiscent of tofu than poultry.
Despite the low calorie count (290 per box), this diet-friendly option sacrifices too much flavor. The sesame notes overpower any hint of citrus, making this more like generic “Asian-style” chicken than proper orange chicken.
2. Tyson Orange Chicken
Tyson’s widely available option falls flat with its one-dimensional sweetness. The chicken starts promisingly crisp but transforms into a soggy mess faster than you can say “takeout.”
The breading slips off in sheets, leaving naked chicken nuggets swimming in sugary sauce. During college, this was my go-to budget meal, but my taste buds have since graduated to better options.
The convenience factor can’t compensate for the lackluster eating experience.
3. Banquet Orange Chicken Bowl
Banquet’s budget-friendly single-serve meal delivers exactly what its price point suggests. The chicken nuggets have that distinctive processed texture – squishy centers with breading that never truly crisps.
The sauce has a ketchup-like consistency with more sugar than citrus. The included rice and vegetables are an afterthought, often overcooked and mushy.
I keep these in my freezer for desperate times, like when the pantry is bare and payday is still days away.
4. InnovAsian Orange Chicken
InnovAsian’s offering sits firmly in middle-of-the-road territory. The chicken pieces have a decent size and the breading maintains some integrity, but the sauce lacks that vibrant orange zing we crave.
Instead, it delivers a one-note sweetness that grows tiresome halfway through the meal. Last winter during a snowstorm, I doctored it with fresh orange zest and red pepper flakes, which helped tremendously.
The high sodium content (800mg per serving) leaves you reaching for water repeatedly.
5. Aldi Red Bag Orange Chicken
Aldi’s budget-friendly option has developed quite the cult following. The infamous “red bag chicken” in orange sauce delivers remarkable value at just $5.99 for a generous package.
The chicken pieces run small but stay reasonably crisp when baked. The sauce packet contains a sweet-tangy glaze that’s pleasant if not particularly complex.
During my broke graduate school days, this was my Friday night treat – paired with some steamed broccoli and rice, it satisfied my takeout cravings without emptying my wallet.
6. Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken
Crazy Cuizine earns points for its unique kumquat-enhanced sauce, which brings a welcome complexity missing from many competitors. The chicken pieces are generously sized but can trend toward chewy if overcooked.
The breading needs special attention – conventional oven baking leaves it soggy, but air frying transforms it completely. My sister-in-law introduced me to this brand at a potluck, and I was genuinely surprised by the depth of flavor.
The Costco-sized package makes it perfect for feeding hungry teenagers.
7. Yang’s 5th Taste Mandarin Orange Chicken
Created by a former restaurant chef, Yang’s 5th Taste delivers authentic flavors rarely found in the freezer aisle. The chicken pieces are substantial and coated in a light, crispy breading that actually stays crispy.
The sauce is the star – complex with real mandarin orange essence, balanced by subtle garlic and ginger notes. I splurged on this for my birthday dinner last year when restaurants were closed.
Though pricier than most at around $15 for a 32-oz pack, it’s worth the splurge when you want restaurant quality without the delivery fees.
8. P.F. Chang’s Home Menu Orange Chicken
The restaurant chain’s retail offering successfully captures much of its in-house magic. The chicken features a distinctive thin, shatteringly crisp breading that maintains its texture remarkably well.
The sauce balances sweetness with subtle heat and ginger notes that build with each bite. During pandemic lockdowns, this became my Friday night treat – paired with homemade fried rice and a cold beer, it almost felt like dining out.
The premium price point ($14.95/22oz) stings, but the quality justifies the splurge.
9. Kevin’s Natural Foods Orange Chicken
Health-conscious eaters, this one’s for you! Kevin’s takes a different approach with unbreaded chicken strips in a clean, paleo-friendly orange sauce that contains no soy, gluten, or refined sugar.
The complete meal includes tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and cauliflower rice. I was skeptical until my fitness-obsessed brother insisted I try it. To my surprise, the natural orange flavor shines brightly without the usual sugar overload.
Perfect for those who want their orange chicken fix without derailing nutrition goals.
10. Lean Cuisine Bowls Orange Chicken
Lean Cuisine has dramatically improved its game with this surprisingly delicious 350-calorie bowl. The chicken pieces are small but maintain a pleasant crispness even after microwaving – a rare feat in frozen meals.
The sauce strikes a beautiful balance between sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy notes. The included rice and vegetable medley actually taste fresh, not like an afterthought.
During a hectic work period last month, I ate this three times in one week and never tired of it – high praise for a diet-friendly option.
11. Gardein Mandarin Orange Crispy Plant-Based Chick’n
Vegans and vegetarians rejoice! Gardein’s plant-based orange chicken alternative is so convincing that my meat-loving husband couldn’t tell the difference when I secretly served it one night.
The “chick’n” pieces have an authentically meaty texture and crisp coating that stands up to the tangy, kumquat-infused sauce. I’ve been experimenting with plant-based eating, and this has become my Wednesday night tradition – served over brown rice with steamed broccoli.
With 13g of protein per serving, it satisfies like the real thing.
12. Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
The undisputed champion of frozen orange chicken earned its cult following for good reason. Trader Joe’s juicy chunks of all-white meat chicken maintain their crispy exterior even when tossed in the tangy-sweet sauce.
The genius lies in the separate sauce packets that let you control the coating – a little for those who prefer crispness, extra for sauce lovers. Last Thanksgiving, my traditional family was skeptical when I brought this as my potluck contribution.
By dinner’s end, three people had asked for the “recipe.” At just $4.99 for a generous bag, it’s an unbeatable value.