Sesame Orange Chiciken - Copycat Trader Jose's Meal

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Sesame Orange Chicken, A copy-cat Trader Joe’s Chinese dish, has fresh orange juice in the sauce, thickened by the cornstarch dredged on the chicken pieces. Enjoy with freshly made sticky rice.

Sesame Orange Chicken Recipe

“Sometimes I feel like I’m in prison!” my son declares after he describes the variety of bland tasting fried and frozen foods the school cafeteria has to offer.

Ok,his perspective might be skewed just a smidgin, but I get where he is comingfrom.

He’s offspring from a foodie family. His taste buds are probably a tiny bit morerefined than the average college student.

Going from mom’s kitchen of homemade“The Bomb” Potpie andFresh Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes, straight to preservative-laden, cafeteria-style cooking takes a fewadjustments… umm, just a few.

He continued the conversation explaining that he didn’t have lunch because he lost hisstudent ID card.

AND while getting a new one, the dining hall closed, which by theway, wouldn’t re-open until dinner time.

My kid was starving!!

Chicken Dinner Idea

I felt a stab directly to my heart. A quick jab, and although painful, it only lasted for asecond or two because I remembered that I sent plenty of snacks after the holiday break.

“Have a snack until dinner, I suggested.” “Mom, I ate everything except for the last fewbagels, which I tossed because they got moldy!”

For the record, there are plenty of fast-foodplaces on campus, but my son would hate to spend the cash when he has this campusmeal plan going on.

We chit-chatted some more, and then he asked, “So what have you been cooking up?”(Knife inserted, now twist, please!)

Sesame Orange Chicken

Homemade orange chicken made with fresh ingredients. This copycat Trader Joe's chicken is a family favorite meal. Perfect dinner idea.

5 from 4 votes

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Ingredients

Chicken
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in bite size pieces
1 Tablespoon sesame oil
1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil
Sauce
1 Tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
3-4 garlic cloves minced
5 scallions sliced (save top for garnish)
1 cup tomato sauce
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup honey
2 Tablespoon Chili Garlic Sauce
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 large orange juiced
Hot cooked rice

Instructions

Place cornstarch and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat.
In a medium sized sauce pan, sauté garlic and scallion (white portion) in the oil until fragrant. Watch closely so it doesn’t burn.
Add the tomato sauce, water, honey, chili garlic sauce, soy sauce and orange juice. Heat to a boil, then reduce it to simmer for 5-6 minutes.
To prepare the chicken; in a wok or large sauté pan, on medium-high, heat the oil (sesame/canola combination). Brown the chicken on both sides (approximately 4-5 minutes). Repeat in batches if needed to prevent overcrowding and even cooking of the chicken. Transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.
Wipe clean the wok or sauté pan and return the cooked chicken to the pan. Pour the sauce over the chicken and cook until slightly thickened.
Serve over white, brown or no rice, and steamed broccoli.

Notes

Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds (pan toasted, if you prefer).

Nutrition

Disclaimer

Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.

Another care package should be arriving at his dorm in a couple of days 🙂

Recipe adapted from Hye Thyme Cafe blog, which is no longer an active site.

Sesame Orange Chiciken - Copycat Trader Jose's Meal - The Foodie Affair (2024)