Emily Carter
Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken is a popular frozen food item that can be easily cooked at home. While it is delicious on its own, there are several ways to elevate the dish with a few extra ingredients. This article will explore some simple yet effective ways to enhance the flavour and texture of this beloved Chinese-inspired meal. From adding vegetables and spices to creating a homemade sauce, there are numerous possibilities to customise Trader Joe's Orange Chicken to your taste preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ways to Cook | Air fryer, oven, skillet/wok, saucepan |
| Additional Ingredients | Onions, garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, water, broccoli, green onions, sesame seeds, Thai chilies, pineapple chunks, Trader Joe's General Tso sauce |
| Serving Suggestions | Rice, vegetables, egg rolls |
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What You'll Learn
Add broccoli for a healthy, tasty, and cheap option
Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken is a popular and tasty meal option, but it can be made even better and healthier with the addition of broccoli. This simple hack can transform your dish into a nutritious and satisfying meal without compromising on flavour.
Broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and fibre, making it a healthy and tasty option to pair with the chicken. It's also a cost-effective ingredient, so you can bulk up your meal without breaking the bank. Steaming or stir-frying the broccoli florets is a great way to retain their crunch and freshness.
To prepare the dish, start by cooking your rice according to the package instructions. Next, heat some oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the broccoli florets and half a package of the orange chicken (without the sauce). Cover and cook for about 4 minutes, then remove the lid and sauté for an additional 4 minutes, stirring regularly to ensure even cooking.
Once the chicken pieces are crisp and golden, it's time to add the sauce. Pour in one packet of the orange sauce and cook for another minute. You can now plate your first serving and pack the remaining food into a reusable container for future meals. Don't forget to add some green onions on top for an extra flavour boost!
By adding broccoli to Trader Joe's Orange Chicken, you've created a well-rounded, delicious, and affordable meal that can be enjoyed at any time. Enjoy!
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Saute onions and garlic in oil for extra flavour
To add extra flavour to Trader Joe's Orange Chicken, sautéing onions and garlic in oil is a great option. This simple technique can enhance the dish's flavour and make it more enjoyable. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving delicious results:
Prepare the Ingredients: Start by gathering your ingredients: onions, garlic, oil (such as olive oil or vegetable oil), and, of course, the Trader Joe's Orange Chicken. You can use a skillet or wok for cooking the chicken and a separate saucepan for the orange sauce.
Sauté the Onions and Garlic: Chop the onions and garlic into small pieces. Heat a small amount of oil in your skillet or wok over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic to the hot oil and sauté them. Stir and cook until they are lightly browned and fragrant. This process unlocks the flavours of these aromatic ingredients, creating a delicious foundation for your dish.
Cook the Chicken: Once the onions and garlic are ready, it's time to add the chicken. Place the desired amount of Trader Joe's Orange Chicken into the skillet or wok. You can cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces if you prefer, or even use an air fryer for an extra crispy texture. Cook the chicken according to the package instructions or until it reaches your desired level of doneness.
Deglaze and Add Sauce: To add even more flavour, deglaze the pan by pouring in a mixture of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a small amount of water. This step will loosen any tasty browned bits stuck to the pan and incorporate them into the sauce. You can also add the orange sauce that comes with the Trader Joe's Orange Chicken or make your own sauce by combining ingredients like orange juice, orange zest, vinegar, and spices.
Combine and Serve: Finally, bring everything together by tossing the cooked chicken with the sauce and onions. Serve it over a bed of rice or with your favourite vegetables. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added colour and flavour. Enjoy your enhanced Trader Joe's Orange Chicken with the delightful flavours of sautéed onions and garlic!
Feel free to experiment with ingredient quantities and cooking times to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your delicious and flavour-enhanced Trader Joe's Orange Chicken!
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Marinate chicken in a sauce with orange juice, zest, vinegar, and soy sauce
Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken is a popular choice for a quick and easy meal. While it is already a tasty dish, there are some extra ingredients you can add to elevate the dish and make it even better.
One way to do this is by marinating the chicken in a sauce with orange juice, zest, vinegar, and soy sauce. This marinade adds a sweet and salty flavour to the chicken. To make this marinade, you will need to use a microplane to zest an orange into a measuring cup. Cut the orange into halves or quarters and juice it into the same measuring cup as the zest. Add soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and oil to the measuring cup and whisk everything together. You can also add some ginger and garlic to the marinade for extra flavour.
Once the marinade is ready, place the chicken pieces into a large zipper lock plastic bag and pour in the marinade. Press out the excess air, seal the bag, and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes. You can also marinate the chicken overnight in the fridge for a more intense flavour. After marinating, cook the chicken on a preheated grill or in a skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through and crispy.
The sauce can be made by combining the chicken broth, orange juice, orange zest, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan and whisking to blend. You can also add some cornstarch to the sauce to thicken it. Finally, toss the cooked chicken in the sauce and serve over rice or vegetables.
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Use an air fryer for the best results
Using an air fryer is a great way to cook Trader Joe's orange chicken to perfection. Not only does it taste better than the oven-baked version, but it also tastes better than the deep-fried takeout version. It's a quicker, more convenient option that you can easily make at home.
To start, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes. You can spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with avocado oil or use a parchment paper liner to prevent the chicken from sticking. Place the frozen chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little space between each piece. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and gets crispy.
Cook the chicken for about 12 to 13 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping the chicken halfway through. You can check if the chicken is done by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a large bowl.
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. Place the frozen sauce packet in a bowl of warm or hot water to thaw and warm up. This makes it easier to coat the chicken evenly. After the chicken is done, pour the sauce over it and toss until well combined.
You can serve the air fryer orange chicken over rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or noodles. Top it with freshly chopped green onions and sesame seeds for extra flavor and texture. You can also serve it with roasted vegetables or a side of spring rolls.
Using an air fryer, you can have a delicious and crispy Trader Joe's orange chicken ready in about 15 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal for the whole family.
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Add sriracha for a spicy kick
Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken is a convenient and tasty meal option. However, if you're looking for a spicier kick, try adding sriracha to the dish. Here are some tips to enhance your Trader Joe's Orange Chicken experience with a spicy twist:
Marinade and Sauce
Add a generous amount of sriracha to the marinade before coating the chicken. This will infuse the chicken with a mild spicy kick even before cooking. You can also add sriracha directly to the orange sauce. The sauce is already tangy and sweet, so adding sriracha will create a delightful combination of sweet and spicy flavors. Adjust the amount of sriracha to your preference, creating a subtle or intense spicy sensation.
Cooking with Sriracha
When cooking the chicken, you can continue to build the spicy profile. After heating oil in a skillet or wok, add some sriracha to the oil and mix well. Then, add the onions and garlic, cooking until the onions are soft. The sriracha will infuse into the vegetables, enhancing the spicy notes in your dish.
Plating and Presentation
When plating your spicy orange chicken, consider garnishes and sides that complement the heat. For example, green onions not only add a pop of color but also provide a crisp, sharp bite against the spicy and citrusy flavors. Additionally, serve your chicken with rice or noodles to balance the spice. The starchiness of the rice or noodles will help temper the heat and provide a soothing contrast to the bold flavors.
Customization
Remember, you can always adjust the spice level to your preference. If you're serving guests with varying spice tolerances, offer additional sriracha on the side so individuals can add more heat as desired. Alternatively, if you prefer less spice, reduce the amount of sriracha or omit it entirely from any of the above steps.
By incorporating sriracha into your Trader Joe's Orange Chicken, you can easily transform this classic dish into a spicy delight. Enjoy the sweet and tangy flavors of the orange sauce with an added kick that's sure to excite your taste buds!
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Frequently asked questions
Trader Joe's Orange Chicken is a popular item that tastes just like what you'd get at a Chinese restaurant. To elevate the dish, you can add some steamed broccoli or other vegetables. You can also serve it with rice, egg rolls, or fried rice.
You can add onions, garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar to boost the flavor. Saute the onions and garlic in oil before adding the chicken. Then, use the soy sauce and rice vinegar mixed with water to deglaze the pan.
You can use Trader Joe's General Tso sauce instead of the orange sauce or make your own sauce. To make your own sauce, combine chicken broth, orange juice, orange zest, vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan.
You can cook Trader Joe's Orange Chicken in an air fryer, oven, or skillet. The air fryer method is recommended for the best results, as it makes the chicken extra crispy.
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