It had a good amount of heat though, which I appreciated. Some might find this cloying sweetness off-putting, especially if expecting a more nuanced flavor profile. There’s an overwhelming sense that sugar is the main player here, with orange taking a backseat role. But Trader Joe’s interpretation leans heavily into the sweet spectrum, almost bordering on syrupy.
The name “Orange Chicken” might evoke images of a subtle, zesty glaze delicately balancing the sweet and savory, perhaps with a touch of tanginess from the citrus. However, the sauce – oh, the sauce – is where things take a turn. It serves as a vessel for the sauce, and in that role, it functions adequately. It’s not gourmet by any stretch, but it’s not meant to be. Texture-wise, the deep-fried chicken provides a satisfying crunch. I didn’t get much orange in the Trader Joe’s version. The sauce was more orangey and you could taste the spice and orange. The breading was not crunchy, but soft and pillowy but in a good way. The Wild Ginger rendition was very well executed. The difference between what I had at Wild Ginger and Trader Joe’s is night and day. Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken Nutrition I love fried chicken like the next person and then smothering it in a nice sweet and sour sauce kicks in all the primal brain functions for eating fat, salty, and sweet. So, the question is, does the Orange Chicken from Trader Joe’s manage to elevate these simple components into a gourmet experience? After all, some of the world’s best dishes revolve around straightforward ingredients. But, of course, simplicity doesn’t automatically denote inferiority. And not just any sauce, but one that’s unabashedly and overwhelmingly sweet. Let’s start by stating the obvious: this is, fundamentally, deep-fried chicken chunks smothered in a sauce. So, it’s definitely hit or miss at Trader Joe’s. I really loved the Trader Joe’s Steamed Soup Dumplings but hated the Trader Joe’s’ Beef Pho. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I love Asian food so anytime I can get something from the frozen section at Trader Joe’s, I will review it. But why? What is it about this particular item that makes it so coveted? Today, we dive deep into the world of Trader Joe’s Frozen Orange Chicken. Lauded by many as one of Trader Joe’s most prized products, this orange chicken often finds its way into the shopping carts of loyal customers and first-time shoppers alike. The recipe name was also changed.Walking through the frozen aisle of any Trader Joe’s store, there’s one product that seems to almost have a halo around it, beckoning shoppers with its promises of a quick, tasty dinner: the infamous Orange Chicken. But fresh mandarin oranges (aka clementines) will add the perfect pop of brightness to your salad.Įditor's Note: The introduction to this recipe was edited on November 24, 2020. I'm a sucker for the syrupy sweetness you get from a can of mandarin oranges. Leftover rotisserie chicken works wonderfully for this recipe, but if you have chicken breasts on hand, follow our easy guide to poaching chicken. The almonds can be easily swapped for cashews or roasted peanuts. Broken up, the crunchy, wavy noodles act as croutons. I sub in a block of broken up ramen-the cheap, dried stuff, not the fresh noodles that come refrigerated. Many restaurant versions of the dish, including The Cheesecake Factory use wonton strips and crispy rice noodles.
In her book, The Seventh Daughter: My Culinary Journey From Beijing To San Francisco, chef Cecilia Chang says, “In China, lettuce was imported and rare and salads were things that were pickled.” Because my recipe is based on a American chains version of a very American dish, I decided to change the name to more accurately describe what it is: a crunchy salad with chicken and mandarin oranges. The salad itself is much more American than it is Chinese. Sunset magazine published a recipe in 1970, and Wolfgang Puck created his own version of it in the 80's. However, legend has it that it was invented in the 1960s at Madam Wu's in Los Angeles because Cary Grant requested it. The exact origin of "Chinese Chicken Salad" is unknown.
It's sweet, savory, refreshing, and extremely crunchy.
Twenty something years later, I still find the salad delicious. I fell in love with dish in eighth grade-it made me feel grown up and sophisticated. This recipe was semi-inspired by the Chinese Chicken Salad at The Cheesecake Factory.
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