I’ve been meaning to write about this forEVER…but I would always forget to take pictures of the food! Finally got my act together.
Today I want to discuss frozen orange chicken options. If you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you know I always sung the praises of Trader Joe’s Mandarin Orange Chicken (in the freezer section). It’s yummy, we loved it, ate it all the time. Then one day we tried Costco’s version (also in the freezer section and comparable in price). I never thought Costco would trump TJ’s, but in this case it did.
Reason #1: The Meat. I mean, just look at those yummy frozen chicken pieces! It’s all white meat. TJ’s isn’t. Seriously, the first time I poured the Costco version on the baking sheet, I was shocked at how much more appetizing and yummy that chicken looked.
Reason #2: The Sauce. I don’t necessarily agree with this reason…but Nate does. The sauce is different. I actually kind of like TJ’s sauce better because it has a little kick to it, but Nate definitely likes the Costco sauce better. It’s more orange-y and fresher tasting. Despite my affinity for the TJ’s sauce…I agree the Costco sauce is dang good. And the quality of the chicken in the Costco version definitely makes me willing to give up the TJs sauce.
So there you go. Orange Chicken review finally done. I feel like I’ve cheated on Joe, but hopefully he’ll forgive me.
Hello! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and then count on you to share your own! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
yummmmmmmmmm…I’ll definitely have to give that chicken a try. It looks delicious!!!
I havent tried TJ’s but I LOVE the Costco one. I just wish it was healthy. But delicious and healthy are probably too much to ask from one frozen food.
Oh, that’s interesting! I just tried the TJ’s orange chicken this week as a last-minute thought on the way home. I loved the sauce (which, by the way, they sell separately in the Asian Foods section), but I’m not a huge fan of dark meat. Glad to know Costco is all-white. I’ll have to check it out for a last minute dinner thought! Thanks for sharing!
I stumbled upon your blog last week & added you to my favs. I totally agree with you on the Costco Orange Chicken. We tried it a couple of months ago & now I always have it in the freezer. We thought the sauce was just ok, so I bake the chicken & use Iron Chef General Tso sauce instead. It is nice to make in a pinch.
We have tried Costco’s orange chicken. I was amazed at how crispy it was. Yum! Thank goodness for Costco…
I about had a heart attack when they took our costco orange chicken away….Man I love that stuff!
I have tried Trader Joes and Costco and Sams Club General Tso kicks both their trash. It tastes basically the same as Orange Chicken because this one has very little kick in the spicy department but just enough.
Im not anonymous, Im lilkunta. But it wont let me select the name\url option.
Hi Jane
Im interested in both version. But pls, are they ginger free? Many times I purchased orange chicken & ginger was in it. Ginger is gross. Please let me know.
lilkunta…I don’t have either version in my freezer right now, so I’m not sure. if I were to GUESS I would think the stuff at costco does not have ginger, just based on what it tasted like. the TJs version has a bit more zing, so it might be more likely to have ginger. anyway, next time I buy it I’ll try to see…otherwise, good luck! hope it’s ginger-free for you!
My wife and I both love the Costco orange chicken, but our store has not had it in months. Does anyone have any in the freezer and telol me the brand name or where else I can buy it? Help please!!
I’m such a mean blogger! tempting everyone with food that I can’t tell you the name of! I SWEAR next time I go to Costco I will look at the brand name…I get emails about this! if anyone else knows, please share!
I just found out that costco will not be selling it anymore. It seems that is was a seasonal thing. I can’t find the company that makes it. If anyone has any idea where else to find it please let me know. It really is one of my favorite meals.
Well my wife threw out the packing as the packaging goes so goes the cooking directions. Anyone got the cooking info available? That would be great!
I was told by a Costco rep. today that this item was deleted from their inventory. Hey costco members lets get this great dish back in the freezers.
the brand is crazy cuisine and it’s back at my costco – yea! just wrote a post about it in case you stumble upon this post and want more info:
http://thisweekfordinner.com/2009/03/25/costcos-orange-chicken-short-brown-rice-leftover-asparagus/
Tasty Wok is the brand of orange chicken sold at Costco. It’s manufactured by Harvest Foods. Their web site gives this info. ` Where to Buy Harvest Foods Products Please call (510) 675-0383 for purchase locations
http://www.harvestfoodproducts.com/index.html
I bought the Costco version but no longer have the box with the cooking instructions. How long / what oven temp do I cook the chicken at?
Thanks,
Deborah
oh my goodness, I”m packing, found the flap from the box but didn’t have any in the freezer and threw the directions away…YESTERDAY!!! talk about bad timing!
my guess is around 400 degrees for 15 minutes or so – go till they’re sizzling but not too brown.
I left the box on the counter….with the intension of cutting out the cooking instructions. It was THROWN AWAY…yikes what do I do now…..well i thought about looking it up on the internet and found your website. THANK YOU for posting on the web….you are a life saver!!!!
Costco’s Orange Chicken is awesome – I don’t normally eat frozen chicken stuff…but she’s right – this is real, white meat, yummy chicken. I eat it without the sauce – but my kids love the sauce. It’s in the oven right now!
Im laughing because everyone through the directions away – that’ s how I found this site too! Threw that big bulky box away
it is really funny! an I always throw mine away too and think of this post!
450 degrees for 15-20 min flipping half way thru.
yay! thanks, diana!
Have bought from Costco for a couple of years and we love it, until the last box I bought was a 1/4 full (each bag) of little bits of cooked batter. I had to go through each bag and pull out the pieces of chicken and toss the bits. I was extremely disappointed this happens cause we love this product and now not sure if I will buy this brand again. I am afraid to buy another box it could have the same problem. Whoever is packaging the chicken in bags needs to get fired.
that totally stinks! I’m sure costco would refund your money no problem, but that is such a pain!