How To Make Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken Even Better
There are several ways to make this meal, but my preferred method of cooking requires a skillet or wok and a saucepan for the orange sauce. However, I hardly ever cook this dish with just the ingredients provided. Yes, many people—including myself—eat the crispy chicken over rice, veggies, or a bit of both. But in regards to the actual chicken, I always add a few extra ingredients to boost the flavor a little bit—and so should you.
Because this meal is so simple and doesn’t need much to make it stellar, all you need is four ingredients: onions, garlic, soy sauce, and rice vinegar and the prep is almost as simple as the recommended method on the package. I just saute the onions and garlic in a little oil before adding in the chicken and cooking to get it hot and crispy. Then, I use the soy sauce and rice vinegar mixed with a little water to deglaze the pan and add a little extra flavor to the chicken. Toss the whole thing with the orange sauce and that’s it—dinner is done!
Leveled Up Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 small onion or ½ medium onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 package Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons water
- Sliced green onions (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the chicken from the package of Mandarin Orange Chicken to the skillet with the onion and toss to coat the chicken in the oil. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Meanwhile, heat the orange sauce from the package of Mandarin Orange Chicken to a small saucepan over low heat until hot.
- Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, and water in a small bowl. Add the mixture to the skillet with the chicken and cook, stirring and scraping the bits off the bottom of the pan, for about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the hot orange sauce.
- Serve over rice or your favorite veggies. Top with green onions, if desired.
