As a discerning shopper and food industry expert, I know that not all grocery store chicken is created equal. Trader Joe‘s has earned a reputation for high-quality, flavorful poultry offerings that keep customers coming back. Whether you‘re a selective home cook or a busy professional looking for convenient meal solutions, Trader Joe‘s chicken products deserve a spot in your shopping cart and freezer.
In this ultimate guide, I‘ll share my expert insights on navigating the world of Trader Joe‘s chicken, from the legendary Mandarin Orange Chicken to the wide array of fresh and frozen options. You‘ll learn how to pick the best products, decipher expiration dates, and elevate them into nutritious and delicious meals. Plus, I‘ll dish out some fascinating tidbits about America‘s favorite chicken purveyor. Let‘s dig in!
The Main Attraction: Mandarin Orange Chicken
No discussion of Trader Joe‘s chicken is complete without a deep dive into the iconic Mandarin Orange Chicken. This sweet, sticky, and tangy dish has reached cult status among loyal shoppers, and for good reason.
The frozen entrée features generous chunks of battered and fried chicken breast coated in an irresistible orange sauce. It‘s a flavor explosion that tastes straight out of a restaurant kitchen, not a microwave. Each 22-ounce bag contains about five servings and retails for $4.99, an unbeatable value compared to takeout.
Fans go wild for the Mandarin Orange Chicken‘s crunchy exterior and tender, juicy interior. The chicken is impressively moist, never rubbery or dry like some frozen alternatives. And the complex sauce strikes a perfect balance of citrusy zing, savory soy, and subtle heat.
The numbers speak for themselves: Trader Joe‘s sells over 2 million bags of Mandarin Orange Chicken every year, enough to stretch from their headquarters in Monrovia, California to Chicago (TJ‘s Fearless Flyer, 2019). It‘s been the overall top customer favorite for several years running, nabbing the #1 spot in the store‘s 12th Annual Customer Choice Awards in 2022.
Nutritionally, the Mandarin Orange Chicken is more of a splurge than an everyday staple. A one-cup serving contains 320 calories, 16 grams of fat, and 670 milligrams of sodium (Trader Joe‘s, 2021). However, you can lighten it up by serving it over a bed of steamed veggies or salad greens instead of rice.
Tips for perfect prep:
- Bake the chicken pieces on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to maximize crispiness.
- Conversely, cook the chicken in an air fryer at 400°F for 10-12 minutes for extra crunch.
- Microwave the sauce pouch for 30 seconds before tossing with chicken.
- Garnish with sliced scallions, toasted sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
Expiration Dates Explained
No one wants to waste money on spoiled chicken, and food safety is paramount. Here‘s what you need to know about expiration dates on Trader Joe‘s poultry products.
Frozen chicken items like Mandarin Orange Chicken have a surprisingly long shelf life thanks to modern freezing technology. Most products bear a "Best By" date about one year from the date of manufacture. This is the "peak quality" window, but the chicken will remain safe to eat beyond that date if continuously frozen.
To maintain optimum freshness, carefully inspect frozen items before purchasing. Pass on any bags with large ice crystals or obvious freezer burn. Transport frozen groceries home in an insulated bag and pop them straight into your freezer. Ensure your freezer temp stays at or below 0°F.
| Product | Unopened Shelf Life | Opened Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerated fresh chicken | 1-2 days | 1-2 days |
| Frozen raw chicken | 9-12 months | 1-2 months |
| Frozen fully cooked chicken (e.g Mandarin Orange) | 12 months | 3-4 months |
| Vacuum-sealed cooked chicken strips | 2 weeks | 3-4 days |
| Canned chicken | 2-5 years | 3-4 days |
If you have leftovers, refrigerated cooked chicken keeps for up to 4 days. Freeze any extras within that timeframe for optimal quality and safety. Use heavy-duty freezer bags or airtight containers and label them with the date. Frozen cooked chicken stays good for up to 4 months.
A Bounty of Chicken Options
Trader Joe‘s provides a one-stop poultry shop with an array of fresh, frozen, and ready-to-eat chicken options for every palate and cooking style. Most are conveniently packaged for two to four servings.
Raw Chicken
In the refrigerated meat case, look for:
- Boneless skinless chicken breast: The leanest cut, perfect for healthy stir-fries, grilling, or slicing for sandwiches.
- Bone-in chicken thighs: More flavorful dark meat, ideal for braising, roasting, or shredding into tacos.
- Spatchcocked whole chicken: Preseasoned and ready to roast, providing both white and dark meat.
Marinated Chicken
Trader Joe‘s takes the guesswork out of flavor with preseasoned options like:
- Harissa Chicken Thighs: Spicy, smoky Moroccan-inspired boneless thighs. Great seared or grilled.
- Shawarma Chicken Thighs: Boneless thighs in a Middle Eastern marinade of lemon, garlic and warming spices.
- Chimichurri Chicken Kabobs: Skewers of herb-marinated breast and colorful veggies, ready for the grill.
Chicken Sausage
These fully cooked links make a protein-packed breakfast or quick weeknight dinner:
- Spicy Jalapeño: Zesty sausage spiked with diced peppers, great in breakfast tacos or red beans and rice.
- Sweet Apple: Savory-sweet combo delicious sautéed with onions and served on a bun.
- Sun-Dried Tomato: Mediterranean-inspired links studded with cheese, tasty in pasta or on pizza.
Frozen Meals
The freezers burst with globally-inspired entrées and American comfort food classics:
- BBQ Chicken Teriyaki: Grilled chicken and vegetables glazed in a tangy-sweet sauce, just needs rice.
- Chicken Burrito Bowl: Seasoned chicken, beans, rice and veggies ready to microwave for an office lunch.
- Chicken Pot Pie: Creamy chicken and vegetable stew under a flaky pastry crust.
Meatless Chicken
Trader Joe‘s caters to plant-based diets with several convincing vegan "chicken" products:
- Chicken-less Mandarin Orange Morsels: Soy-based vegan version of the fan favorite.
- Breaded Chickenless Nuggets: Pea protein "nuggets" with 12 grams of protein per serving.
- Turkeyless Stuffed Roast: Breaded soy and seitan roll filled with cranberry and wild rice stuffing.
The Bottom Line
With attentive label reading, knowing how to pick the freshest package, and proper storage, Trader Joe‘s provides unrivaled quality, flavor, and value in its dizzying selection of chicken products. From the #1 customer favorite Mandarin Orange Chicken to the ever-expanding line of plant-based options, there‘s something to satisfy every chicken craving and dietary need.
Remember, you can sample anything risk-free with Trader Joe‘s famously generous return policy. So whether you‘re a picky eater or an adventurous epicure, spread your wings and explore the delicious world of TJ‘s chicken. Chances are, you‘ll fly home with some new favorite items to elevate your weeknight dinner game.
