Grocery store Indian food is often an area of uncertainty. Few grocery entrees taste as good as food from an authentic Indian restaurant, but I continue to try various foods when I see them. One popular dish among my family is butter chicken, so when I spotted it at Aldi’s cousin, Trader Joe’s, I picked up a box to try.
Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice cost $3.99 for a 12.5-ounce package at the time of writing.
This is a product of Canada and is sold frozen.
Ingredients are: chicken, water, crushed tomato, cream, canola oil, onion, spices, salt, modified corn starch, garlic, ginger, butter, sugar, fenugreek leaves, citric acid, and rice.
Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice nutrition information and ingredients. (Click to enlarge.)
One package contains one 250-gram serving. One serving has 270 calories, 6 grams of total fat (9% DV), 3 grams of saturated fat (15% DV), 65 mg of cholesterol (22% DV), 450 mg of sodium (19% DV), 33 grams of total carbohydrates (11% DV), 2 grams of dietary fiber (8% DV), 2 grams of sugars, and 21 grams of protein.
It can be heated in the microwave or in a conventional oven.
To microwave, puncture the film with a fork to allow steam to escape. Cook on defrost (medium power) for 5 minutes. Continue heating on high for 4 minutes until heated thoroughly. Carefully remove the hot tray and let the product stand for 1-2 minutes. Remove the film, stir gently, and serve.
To heat in the oven, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Puncture the film with a fork to allow steam to escape. Place the tray on a baking sheet in the center of the oven. Cook for 25 minutes or until heated thoroughly. Carefully remove the hot tray, let product stand for 1-2 minutes, remove film, stir gently, and serve.
Ready to eat.
I baked this butter chicken in the oven. My family thought this was all right but not great. It’s on the spicy side, but we felt the other more complex flavors we’ve come to know in butter chicken weren’t there. I also thought the chicken was slightly dry. I prefer Trader Joe’s Shrimp Tikka Masala over this.
The Verdict:
Trader Joe’s Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice features bites of chicken in sauce with a side of basmati rice. It was fine but not the best butter chicken we’ve had. If you’re in the mood for Indian food, we think Trader Joe’s has some other options that are better.
