10 Easy Meals You Can Make With A Bag Of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken
by Bay Nigro · BuzzFeedPosted on Oct 22, 2026 UTC
Everyone I know (kids and adults alike) loves Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken. Crispy, perfectly saucy, and ready in minutes, it’s a fan favorite with a pretty devoted following. I always seem to have a bag in my freezer, and for the longest time, I turned to the same rice, veggies, and chicken dinner. But recently, my culinary creativity was piqued, and I started wondering what else I could do with this bag beyond my usual routine. If you’re looking for simple weeknight dinners you can throw together with your beloved TJ’s Orange Chicken, you’ve come to the right place!
Trader Joe's Mandarin Orange Chicken Recipes
1. Orange Chicken Bahn Mi-Style Sandwich
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + baguette or hoagie roll + shredded carrots + cucumber + mayo + cilantro
How to Make It: Cook the chicken according to package instructions. Lightly toast the bread, spread with mayo, then layer in chicken, carrots, cucumber, and cilantro.
Why I Love It: It pulls in those classic banh mi flavors, but with a fun shortcut that makes it weeknight-friendly.
2. Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + butter lettuce + shredded carrots + sliced cucumber + Sriracha
How to Make It: Cook the chicken, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Spoon it into lettuce leaves and top with veggies and Sriracha.
Why I Love It: So crunchy and sooo easy! Lettuce wraps always hit the spot.
3. Orange Chicken Broccoli Noodles
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + noodles (ramen, lo mein, or spaghetti) + broccoli + soy sauce or chili crisp
How to Make It: Cook the chicken and boil the noodles according to package instructions. Steam or sauté the broccoli, then toss everything together with the Orange Chicken sauce and a splash of soy sauce if needed.
Why I Love It: It tastes like takeout-style noodles, but you can whip it up with what you already have at home.
4. Orange Chicken Fried Rice
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + rice + eggs + frozen peas + soy sauce
How to Make It: Scramble the eggs in a pan, then add cooked rice and peas. Stir in chopped chicken and soy sauce, and cook until everything is heated through.
Why I Love It: This one turns a few basics into a full and tasty dinner, and the egg gives it a nice extra boost of protein.
5. Orange Chicken Rice Bowl
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + jasmine rice + broccoli + green onions
How to Make It: Cook the orange chicken according to package instructions. Heat the rice and steam (or roast) the broccoli. Add everything to a bowl and top with green onions.
Why I Love It: What's not to love about a rice bowl at home?
6. Orange Chicken Salad
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + mixed greens + mandarin orange segments + sliced almonds + sesame or Asian-style dressing
How to Make It: Cook and slice the chicken. Toss the greens with dressing, then top with chicken, oranges, and almonds.
Why I Love It: It’s that perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy. And, dare I say, it feels a little fancy.
7. Orange Chicken Wraps
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + bagged coleslaw + large tortillas or wraps + spicy mayo
How to Make It: Cook and chop the chicken. Toss with the coleslaw and spicy mayo (mayo, Sriracha, and a little honey), then wrap everything tightly in tortillas.
Why I Love It: It’s slightly out of the norm, but I love anything in a tortilla. Plus, it works just as well for lunch as it does for dinner.
8. Orange Chicken Loaded Baked Potatoes
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + russet potatoes + broccoli + scallions or sesame seeds
How to Make It: Bake the potatoes until tender. Cook the chicken, then spoon it over the potatoes with broccoli and toppings.
Why I Love It: This one’s a little more unexpected than the others, but I’m a fool for a potato mashup dish (and I always seem to have extra potatoes on hand).
9. Orange Chicken Grain Bowl
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + quinoa or farro + roasted vegetables + avocado
How to Make It: Cook the chicken and grains. Roast your veggies. Add everything to a bowl and top with chopped avocado.
Why I Love It: It’s just as good warm as it is straight from the fridge as leftovers the next day (mandarin orange chicken meal prep!). Plus, the flavor combo of avocados with orange chicken is a little creative and fun.
10. Orange Chicken Sliders
What You’ll Need: Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken + slider buns + coleslaw mix + mayo or ranch dressing
How to Make It: Cook the chicken, then pile it onto slider buns with slaw. Add a little mayo (spicy mayo is good) or ranch if you want it extra saucy.
Why I Love It: I'm convinced that putting things in slider form makes everything more delicious.