The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Gyoza Potstickers are well done dumplings that are quick, easy, and relatively low in calories.
The cons: This is better if you have a dipping sauce.
The verdict: …
Chicken
Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Autentico
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Autentico is a long standing favorite in the refrigerated aisle.
The cons: It is best on the day you prepare it. The leftovers just aren’t as outstanding the next day.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Just Grilled Chicken Strips
The pros: Trader Joe’s Just Grilled Chicken Strips are an easy as can be, good to keep on hand product that makes for a quick meal or salad.
The cons: You are paying the same amount for this one pound bag as you would in Costco for an entire rotisserie chicken.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s BBQ Seasoned Spatchcocked Chicken
The pros: Trader Joe’s BBQ Seasoned Spatchcocked Chicken is an easy and delicious pre-seasoned item that comes out very moist.
The cons: This item is likely seasonal. But the package also mentions that it can be frozen. Keep in mind this is BBQ seasoned, but not BBQ flavored.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Harvest Salad with Grilled Chicken
The pros: Trader Joe’s Harvest Salad with Grilled Chicken is a filling and good salad option where the calorie count isn’t too terrible.
The cons: You’ll need a spare plate to dig out the dressing or at least to mix the dressing in.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs
The pros: Trader Joe’s Shawarma Chicken Thighs are super flavorful, moist, and tasty chicken thighs.
The cons: The thighs are uneven which leads to over/under cooking. These would be more successful if they were sliced into kabob sized slices.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Breaded Chicken
The pros: Trader Joe’s Breaded Chicken is a quick, flavorful, ready made chicken that could be turned into a tasty dish quickly.
The cons: There is a slight premium to this pre-made product, but is not much more expensive than their uncooked chicken tenderloins in the refrigerated section.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Truffle Mousse Pate
The pros: Trader Joe’s Truffle Mousse Pate is a truly unique product that will have its raving fans. For those with a curious palate and not a big wallet, it’s a neat item to try.
The cons: This is neither a taste nor texture that everyone will appreciate. If you’ve been curious about pate and can stomach the flavor of truffle, this is a well made one to reach for. Pate is not diet food, so don’t be surprised by the calorie count.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Organic Chicken Wing Sections
The pros: Trader Joe’s Organic Chicken Wing Sections are a solid option in the freezer case of Trader Joe’s.
The cons: For a group of hungry adults, this two pound bag might only feed two people so plan accordingly.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken Taquitos
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Taquitos are quick freezer food that are only 110 calories per taquito
The cons: These are pretty close to flavorless. You will need to get creative with a sauce or toppings in order for this to have flavor.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Cilantro Mini Wontons make for a quick and easy snack or meal.
The cons: You’ll still want a bit of dipping sauce as these are a bit bland on their own.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Pesto Genovese Chicken Breast
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pesto Genovese Chicken Breast makes for tender chicken that is ready quickly.
The cons: Has an acidic taste. The pesto might be better if it were something you added on like a chimichurri rather than a marinade.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken Drummellas
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Drummellas are basically just chicken nuggets.
The cons: For me there was a slight taste of raw flour and the breading lacked flavor.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup with Veggies
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Noodle Soup with Veggies is basic chicken noodle soup. Nothing terrible, but nothing standout either. It’s shelf stable
The cons: Save this for when you are sick and can’t taste anything.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Chicken Breast Nuggets
The pros: Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Chicken Breast Nuggets are perfect with those who cannot have gluten which won’t have you feeling deprived of the experience of chicken nuggets.
The cons: These aren’t quite a perfect clone of the regular chicken nugget, but they come close enough.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken and Vegetable Wonton Soup
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken and Vegetable Wonton Soup makes for a quick and low calorie meal. The wontons are the highlight here.
The cons: You will still need to add water and I wasn’t crazy about the veggies in the broth.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken and Mushroom Pelmeni
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken and Mushroom Pelmeni is new and can be prepared quickly from the freezer.
The cons: Bag is not resealable and my leftovers were a bit gummy the next day.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings
The pros: Trader Joe’s Steamed Chicken Soup Dumplings are tasty, quick to prepare dumplings that can be made from freezer to microwave in minutes. Packaging is well thought out.
The cons: Only six dumplings come in a package.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s BBQ Teriyaki Chicken
The pros: Trader Joe’s BBQ Teriyaki Chicken can be made entirely in the microwave, reasonably priced considering how much of the work is done for you.
The cons: Not as flavorful as true BBQ Teriyaki chicken. Lacks the reddish hue that appears on the bag and is found on traditional BBQ. Veggies would have made a great addition to this bag.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Simply Roast Chicken Breast
The pros: Trader Joe’s Simply Roast Chicken Breast is fresh, pre-sliced, well seasoned (almost to a fault).
The cons: Black pepper was overwhelming at some points. A bit pricey for a pound of roast chicken.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Grilled Jerk Chicken Thigh Skewers
The pros: Trader Joe’s Grilled Jerk Chicken Thigh Skewers are tender, well done, and flavorful.
The cons: Might be on the spicy side for some. This product is seasonal.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Burrito
The pros: Trader Joe’s Pollo Asado Burrito is the newest addition to the refrigerated aisle and an otherwise weak section at Trader Joe’s: the wraps.
The cons: I’m not sure why the decided to pretend like this burrito is two servings? Perhaps to make the calorie count appear less.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s BBQ Chicken Pizza
The pros: Trader Joe’s BBQ Chicken Pizza is loaded with toppings which makes for one filling pizza.
The cons: Smaller than some pizzas in the frozen pizza. Not a traditional pizza which might not sit well with purists. Has cilantro on it, so if you are not a fan of that flavor you might want to avoid this.
The verdict: …
Trader Joe’s Chicken Parmesan Lollipops
The pros: Trader Joe’s Chicken Parmesan Lollipops have the texture of the inside of a Totino’s pizza roll. They seem like a good idea.
The cons: Major product design issues. This just didn’t work as a food that belongs on a stick. If it were in an eggroll, it would have been fine.
The verdict: …
