Easy Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Dinner

CATEGORY: Dinner
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 25 minutes
TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes
SERVINGS: 4–5

Why You'll Love This Easy Orange Chicken Dinner

• Quick and convenient: Using frozen favorites from Trader Joe's makes dinner simple without sacrificing flavor.

• Ready in 30 minutes: A great meal for busy weeknights when you need something easy.

• Family-friendly: Crispy chicken, fried rice, fresh broccoli, and fruit make a meal with something for everyone.

• Perfect for picky eaters: Set aside some crispy chicken before adding the orange sauce for kids who prefer their chicken plain.

• Easy cleanup: Minimal preparation and just a few dishes make this an easy dinner to put together.

Ingredients

• 1–2 bags Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken (depending on family size)

• 1 bag Trader Joe's Vegetable Fried Rice

• 2 heads fresh broccoli, cut into florets (or 1 bag frozen broccoli)

• 2–3 cups fresh fruit of your choice

• Water, for steaming broccoli

How to Make Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Dinner

1. Cook the orange chicken.

Preheat your oven or air fryer according to the instructions on the Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken package. Prepare the chicken according to the package directions until hot and crispy. While the chicken cooks, warm the included orange sauce according to the package instructions.

Kitchen Tip: For picky eaters, reserve a few pieces of crispy chicken before tossing the rest with the orange sauce. This way, everyone can enjoy the same meal, even if they don't like the sauce!

2. Prepare the vegetable fried rice.

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the Trader Joe's Vegetable Fried Rice according to the package instructions. Stir occasionally while cooking to ensure the rice heats evenly. Once heated through, remove from the heat and keep warm until ready to serve.

3. Steam the broccoli.

Wash the broccoli and cut it into bite-sized florets. Add about 1 inch of water to a saucepan fitted with a steamer basket. Bring the water to a boil, then add the broccoli to the basket. Cover and steam for approximately 5–7 minutes, or until the broccoli is bright green and fork-tender. For softer broccoli, steam for an additional 1–2 minutes.

4. Prepare the fresh fruit.

While everything cooks, wash and cut your family's favorite fresh fruit. Choose whatever you have on hand, such as strawberries, grapes, pineapple, apples, or mandarin oranges. Arrange the fruit in a serving bowl or divide it among individual plates.

5. Add the orange sauce.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Before adding the sauce, set aside a few pieces of plain crispy chicken for anyone who prefers it without sauce. Pour the warmed orange sauce over the remaining chicken and gently toss until evenly coated.

6. Serve and enjoy!

Divide the vegetable fried rice among plates and add a serving of orange chicken. Serve alongside the steamed broccoli and fresh fruit. Enjoy a simple, delicious family dinner!

A Few Tips for the Best Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Dinner

Cook the chicken until crispy. Follow the package directions and avoid overcrowding the chicken while cooking. Crispy chicken holds up better when tossed with the orange sauce.

Prepare everything at the same time. Start the chicken first, then cook the fried rice, steam the broccoli, and prepare the fruit while the chicken finishes.

Keep the sides simple. The orange chicken and vegetable fried rice already have plenty of flavor, so plain steamed broccoli and fresh fruit complement the meal nicely.

Adjust the portions for your family. Depending on everyone's appetite, you may want to prepare two bags of orange chicken or an additional bag of fried rice.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

This Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Dinner is best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be saved for another easy meal.

Refrigerator: Allow the cooked chicken, fried rice, and broccoli to cool slightly before transferring them to separate airtight containers. Refrigerate promptly and use within 3–4 days.

From My Kitchen to Yours

This Trader Joe's Orange Chicken Dinner is one of our family's favorite easy weeknight meals. It's quick to put together, everyone gets something they enjoy, and I love that we can have dinner on the table without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

One little trick that works well for our family is setting aside some of the crispy chicken before adding the orange sauce. It's such a simple way to make the meal work for our picky eaters without having to cook something completely different.

Sometimes the best family dinners are the easiest ones!