The Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken from Costco is a delicious and convenient alternative to takeout. It’s a budget-friendly meal that’s definitely worth buying, especially if you own an air fryer. It delivers a satisfyingly crispy texture and a sweet, tangy sauce that rivals many restaurant versions. For anyone looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy, this is a freezer staple you won’t regret.
This review will cover everything you need to know, including the price, detailed cooking instructions for all methods, a full taste test, and a complete nutrition breakdown to help you decide if it deserves a spot in your cart.
First Impressions: What’s In The Box?
The Crazy Cuizine chicken, which is the brand sold at Costco, comes in a large, 66-ounce box found in the freezer aisle. Inside the box, you’ll find the contents are separated for freshness and easy portioning.
- Two large bags of battered, fully cooked chicken pieces.
- Two large sauce packets of the Mandarin Orange sauce.
This two-pack format is convenient, allowing you to cook one bag at a time while keeping the other sealed and fresh in the freezer. The product is made by Day-Lee Foods, Inc.
How Much Does The Crazy Cuizine Orange Chicken Cost at Costco?
The Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken costs $16.49 at Costco. The item number is 1143205. For this price, you get a 66 oz (4.125 lbs) box. This breaks down to approximately $0.25 per ounce, which is an excellent value compared to ordering from a restaurant, offering a family-sized quantity for the price of a single takeout meal.
How Do You Cook Costco Mandarin Orange Chicken?
The best way to cook Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken is in the air fryer, which makes it extra crispy in about 15 minutes. Pro-Tip: For maximum crispiness, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in two batches if necessary to ensure hot air can circulate around each piece. However, you can also get great results using a conventional oven or a stovetop. According to the package, thawing the chicken is not necessary before cooking.
Air Fryer Instructions (The Best Method)
- Thaw one unopened sauce packet in a bowl of warm water.
- Set your air fryer temperature to 400°F (204°C).
- Place the contents of one bag of chicken in the air fryer basket.
- Heat for 14 to 17 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer the hot chicken to a bowl, pour the thawed sauce over it, and mix with a spatula until evenly coated.
- Let stand for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Thaw the sauce packet in warm water.
- Arrange the chicken from one bag on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Combine the chicken and sauce in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
Stovetop Instructions
- Thaw the sauce packet in warm water.
- Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and heat for 15 to 18 minutes, turning the pieces regularly.
- Once crispy, place the chicken in a bowl and mix with the thawed sauce.
What Does The Crazy Cuizine Orange Chicken Taste Like?
The Crazy Cuizine Orange Chicken has a fantastic savory and sweet flavor. Its best quality is the incredibly crispy texture of the breading, especially when cooked in an air fryer. The chicken itself is made from battered breast meat with rib meat, and the quality is surprisingly high for a frozen product. The pieces are whole-muscle, tender, and juicy on the inside, without any gristly or unnatural textures.
The breading is the star of the show. It cooks up to a perfect golden-brown crispiness that holds its crunch even after being tossed in the sauce.
The Mandarin Orange sauce is sweet and tangy, leaning more towards the sweet side as you’d expect from American-style Chinese food. It has distinct notes of orange, ginger, and soy sauce. While it might be a bit too sweet for some, it’s a definite crowd-pleaser and has that classic flavor profile you’re looking for in orange chicken.
Is The Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken Healthy?
No, Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken is not a health food; it’s best considered an indulgent treat. While it offers a good amount of protein, it is also high in sodium, carbohydrates, and sugar, which is typical for this type of dish. It’s a convenient and delicious meal, but not one you’d choose for its nutritional benefits.
Full Nutrition Facts & Calories
A single one-cup (140g) serving of the chicken with sauce contains:
- Calories: 260
- Total Fat: 7g
- Sodium: 500mg (21% of your Daily Value)
- Total Carbohydrate: 35g
- Sugars: 14g
- Protein: 13g (26% of your Daily Value)
The sodium and sugar content are the primary nutritional drawbacks to be aware of.
What Are The Ingredients in Crazy Cuizine Orange Chicken?
The main ingredients are fairly straightforward for a frozen meal.
- Chicken Ingredients: The chicken is primarily breast meat with rib meat, water, and an enriched wheat flour breading.
- Sauce Ingredients: The sauce is made from water, sugar, distilled vinegar, soy sauce, and flavorings like ginger, garlic, and mandarin orange flavor.
The product contains egg, milk, soy, and wheat allergens.
How Does Costco’s Orange Chicken Compare To Others?
Costco’s Crazy Cuizine Orange Chicken compares very favorably to other popular options, especially in terms of value and texture. Many people find it superior to the version sold at Trader Joe’s, particularly because the chicken breading gets crispier and the sauce has a slightly less artificial taste. When compared to takeout from a place like Panda Express, the Crazy Cuizine version offers incredible savings and a very similar flavor profile, with the added benefit of being ready whenever you want it.
The Final Verdict: Is It Worth Buying?
After a thorough review, the Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken from Costco is a definite recommendation. It excels in convenience, value, and taste, making it a perfect freezer item for quick dinners, feeding a hungry family, or satisfying a takeout craving without leaving the house.
| Rating Metric | Score (1-10) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | 8.5 | Deliciously crispy and juicy with a classic sweet and tangy sauce. |
| Value | 9.5 | Excellent price-per-ounce. A whole box costs less than one takeout meal. |
| Convenience | 9.0 | Ready in about 15 minutes with minimal effort, especially in an air fryer. |
| Nutrition | 5.0 | High in sodium and sugar, as expected. It’s a treat, not health food. |
| OVERALL | 8.5 | A fantastic freezer find that delivers on its promises. |
You should buy the Crazy Cuizine Mandarin Orange Chicken if:
- You are looking for a fast and easy weeknight meal.
- You want a budget-friendly alternative to Chinese takeout.
- You own an air fryer and love crispy chicken.
You should pass on this item if:
- You are on a low-sodium or low-sugar diet.
- You prefer dark meat chicken.