Trader Joe's-Style Mandarin Orange Chicken

This revamped version uses a light almond crust instead of deep-frying and fresh fruit juice instead of high-fructose syrups for a nutrient-rich meal.

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb organic chicken breast, cubed
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 cup fresh orange juice (from 3-4 oranges)
  • 1 tsp fresh orange zest
  • 2 tbsp raw honey
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp arrowroot starch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water
  • 1/4 cup sliced mandarin oranges
  • 1/2 tsp red chili flakes

Clean swaps

How we upgrade the restaurant version with better ingredients.

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Reorder the shelf-stable staples for this recipe.

What you'll need

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry and toss with almond flour, garlic powder, ginger powder, and salt until evenly coated.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the pan and sear until golden brown and cooked through to 165°F (about 6-8 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Lower the heat and add the remaining avocado oil and minced garlic to the same skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in the fresh orange juice, coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, honey, orange zest, and chili flakes.
  6. Simmer the sauce for 4–5 minutes to reduce, then stir in the arrowroot slurry and cook for 1 minute until the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze.
  7. Add the cooked chicken and sliced mandarin oranges back into the skillet, tossing well to coat all pieces in the glaze.
  8. Serve immediately over steamed organic broccoli or cauliflower rice.

FAQ

Why use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs?

Almond flour provides a gluten-free alternative that adds texture without processed additives.

Can I use dried mandarin oranges if fresh ones are not available?

Yes, you can rehydrate dried mandarins in boiling water before using them in the recipe.

What makes this version cleaner?

It avoids refined sugars and seed oils, uses natural sweeteners like honey, and focuses on whole, organic ingredients without artificial additives or preservatives.

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