Sponsors of Trader Joes Fan.com for Nov. 2008
We are not affiliated with the Trader Joe's Company - www.traderjoes.com

What's New

1. Berry Almond...
    Category: Gourmet
    Created: Nov 30, 2008
2. Best Stuffing Evah
    Category: Gourmet
    Created: Nov 30, 2008
3. Saturday Morning...
    Category: Quick Recipes
    Created: Nov 29, 2008
More...

Tried it yet?

Spinach Tofu Eggrolls

Spinach Tofu Eggrolls


Category: Frozen
Views: 9955
Votes: 60
Reviews: 29


Hearts & Minds peanut butter with olive oil

Our Stats

We currently have 1268 recipes & products reviews

Mandarin Orange Chicken

(220 votes)
Rate this listing

One of TJ's all-time greats. As good or better than most Chinese restaurants. The orange sauce is not sweet like many cheaper versions and the chicken is tender with a crispy breading.

Just put it in the oven for 18 minutes, microwave the sauce, combine and you're ready. Makes great leftovers too.

Submitted on 01/26/2006 by Rollo

Read all 47 Reviews below -OR-

Add your own review

Your Name:
Title:
Review:


Reviews (47)
bynattygirl, February 2, 2006
I made this for dinner last night because of this review. It was really good and really easy. I didn't llike the scent of the sauce as it was warming in the micro, but it combined with the chicken perfectly. The chicken is of good quality-- not icky bits of tendon or gristle here. I'm thinking the next time I make this, I might throw some red peper flakes in with the sauce to make is spicier, but it's really good the way it is. Just as good as (or better than) Panda Inn's.
I also like this chicken, but it is not crispy out of the microwave. It's good, but really, really fatty.
byhertai, February 5, 2006
I thought it was good but was a little disappointed at the amount of breading---good flavor, tho, and easy to prepare. I'd buy it again.
We eat this at least once a week. Here's how we make it even tastier: we heat the chicken on a pan in the oven with a little olive oil spray until it's really crispy crunchy (turning once during cooking); we add red-pepper flakes to the sauce; and we serve it over about two cups of steamed fresh broccoli. So delicious.
byPilapila, February 11, 2006
Hate to rain on the parade of positive comments, but this is not one of my favorite products. Sauce was okay, but the chicken pieces did not impress me at all. Too much breading--not enough meat. I'd prefer to just eat this dish out rather than make it at home from a frozen meal kit.

Pilapila
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken on foil covered cookie sheet and place in oven. Turn oven down to 350----bake 18 - 20 minutes. Toss with sauce, serve w/rice. Think it gets too dried out when cooked at 400 degrees. Great prodt.
I just ate this for the first time today and it was delish! Crispy on the outside, but still tender and juicy on the inside chicken pieces (I could have eaten them before I even added the sauce!) The sauce is not overpowering; it doesn't taste like it's loaded with ingredients. I always like when a product is simple enough that you can put your own twist on it if you want. And I used the leftover sauce on some fresh snowpeas. This will definitely be a regular on my shopping lists.
bysdjimbob, April 15, 2006
Count me as fan of this one. I didn't see any good way of preparing this dish other than baking it, although I think I might try justbatty's way of preparing it. So far I just bake the chicken, and serve it over steamed rice.

I would disagree that it's overly fatty--compared to the grease dripping orange chicken a la Panda Express or other takeout places, it's actually closer to the healthy side.
byNewtonFan, May 17, 2006
They were handing these out as samples at my local TJ's yesterday. The whole store smelled so good that everyone was coming around to see what was cooking. The best part was, this chicken tasted as good as it smelled!
i throw in some fresh bell peppers while cooking and then put a bag of TJ's microwave rice. Great dinner in 15 minutes. as good, or better, than the orange chicken from my local chinese place.
I just tried this last night with my card friends. Everyone just raved about it. It was so easy to prepare. The only thing is that I prefer white meat.
byunless, June 15, 2006
The sauce is, as noted, quite tasty, though red pepper flakes are a definite necessity to give it some zing. Unfortunately, the chicken itself leaves something to be desired. It is indeed overly breaded for the size of the actual chicken pieces, and while it might not be as awful for you as Panda Express fast food, that hardly makes it healthy. Still far too fatty for my taste. Such a shame - with a couple improvements, this could be one of TJ's best products.
bykokomo, July 8, 2006
Added some pineapple chunks and steamed peppers. Wonderful product, will buy again.
Kick it up a notch and add some red pepper flakes. Goes great with a glass of white wine!
This is quite yummy and the sauce is one of the best out there. However, I'm not a big dark meat fan, so the fattiness of the meat detracts from the dish. I personally prefer Costco's version with all white meat but not quite as tasty sauce.
bybenska, August 22, 2006
always have one in the fridge! usually takes longer to cook than it says on the package, it should be nice and crispy. Instead of microwaving the sauce, i reccomend heating it up in a large pot and then mixing in the chicken. I eat the whole package myself.
bybethany66, September 6, 2006
I love this product. I use my stoneware bar pan from Pampered Chef and it comes out just as crispy as the resteraunts. It is economical for a family of 4 and a treat for all of us.
i'm not a microwave person, so naturally, i think this dish comes out better prepared otherwise. the first time i tried it, i used the oven, and it turned out great... although it didn't "wow" me. i decided to give it a second chance after a while, and used this time used the stove... much better!!! and now i'm a big fan. i love this for a quick dinner. for those having problems with the breading, i think cooking it on the stove is one's best bet.
bysasspea, September 21, 2006
I make it in the stove everytime (on a cookie sheet sprayed with some olive oil cooking spray) and serve it over TJ's organic brown rice. I know that it is not good for your, but man....it is so good! I am thinking about adding some veggies to change it up the next time I make it.
byPNWFoodie, December 11, 2006
Living in an area with great Asian food and having worked in a great Chinese restaurant, I am PICKY!!!

I cooked these in the oven, and I was pleasantly surprised. The taste and texture is pretty good.
Results 1 - 20 of 47
Copyright © 2008 www.traderjoesfan.com.
This fan site is not affiliated in any way with Trader Joe's Company, Inc.
The Trader Joe's company website is www.traderjoes.com.