With the grand opening of Trader Joe’s in Hoboken just a few days ago, it’s time to revisit their delicious Curry Chicken Tenders. Their curry chicken tenders are delicious but need some sort of dipping sauce – so why not peanut sauce?! I make a great homemade peanut dipping sauce, but if you’re in a rush then look for the Peanut Sauce Mix by A Taste of Thai. The package has two envelopes so you can make one at a time (although they don’t mention that on the package). Just mix 1 packet with 3/4 cup milk of choice (coconut, almond or dairy all work great). What do you do with the leftover peanut sauce? Drink it!
1 package Curry Chicken Tenders (Trader Joe’s)
1 package Garlic Basil Polenta (Food Merchants)
1 lb asparagus
olive oil
garlic salt
kosher salt
OR
1 envelope Peanut Sauce Mix (A Taste of Thai)
1/2 cup almond, coconut or dairy milk
2 Tbsp creamy natural peanut butter
1 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rinse asparagus and dry completely. Coat the asparagus spears with olive oil and garlic salt and place on a baking sheet in one layer. Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes, or until very tender.
2. Cook chicken tenders via preferred method. I prefer to grill them.
3. In a small saucepan heat peanut sauce mix, milk, peanut butter and honey (optional) to a boil. Turn down to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes. Turn off heat and let thicken.
4. Place a skillet over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray or olive oil. Cut polenta into 1/3″ thick slices and place in the skillet. Spray the top of the polenta with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Cook about 3-5 minutes per side, or until crispy and browned on both sides.
I think I just bought those same chicken tenders last week- i thought they were great! Trader Joe’s never fails… that meal looks very satisfying!
What do you think of Whole Foods brand 365 creamy peanut butter? I just bought it for the first time today but haven’t tried it yet.
any indonesian shop in your area? you must try indonesian peanut sauces (satay sauce, pecel sauce, gado-gado sauce) you will LOVEEEEEE em
Nothing wrong with going for store-bought every once in a while, to create a delicious meal – especially when it’s from Whole Foods!! :0)
I had that sauce for dinner on my tofu pad thai. Have had it a bunch of times actually in the past. I agree…it’s very good! I’m going to copy the dunking idea for next time.
cassie, TJ’s has never let me down! I don’t believe I’ve had the 365 brand of peanut butter. I did get the Wild Oats brand from Whole Foods and it was so cheap that I thought it was maybe a second “Whole Foods brand” of peanut butter. Either way the Wild Oats brand was very good. It wasn’t very creamy and had a slightly weird flavor.
rita, I don’t think there any any Indonesian shops around here. I’ll have to keep my eyes out for an Indonesian peanut sauce. Thanks!
veggiegirl, True, you can’t go wrong with Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s!
nadia, That sauce mix is the best I’ve found. I tried a premade sauce in a bottle that was terrible and a peanut sauce mix from a different brand which was in between the two. Nothing beats A Taste of Thai though.
Hi Nick!
If u ever have the chance… try the “satay sauce” in your local Malaysian/Singaporean food stall. You might even source it in an oriental shop. I grew up having chicken skewers cooled using charcoal gril dipped in the spicy peanut sauce. It’s seriously good stuff. =)
I used to love Trader Joe’s. Unfor., we no longer live within 50miles of one.
Polenta looks yummy! I love that stuff.
Have a good day Nick!
Looks like a delicious dinner! I really need to find a trader joe’s somewhere.
I love Peanut Butter and chicken together. On second thought, I don’t know if there is anything I don’t like Peanut Butter with!
Love the blog and recipes!!
This looks so good and I’m with you – 14 ingredients for one sauce is just too many! I love chicken with peanut sauce! I miss Trader Joe’s so much! Fortunately I am going back to California in May so I am definately making a trip to TJs!
polenta is one of my specialties. once you try it, you’ll never buy the packaged versions again.
best of all, it’s super easy to make, and tastes amazing with anything….although it’s not the healthiest of foods.
3 cups water
2 tsp sea salt
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup fresh shredded parmesan
3/4 cup heavy cream
ground black pepper
bring water to a boil in large saucepan. add 2 tsp salt. gradually whisk in cornmeal, constantly whisking to avoid clumping. add cream and cheese, continue whisking, then reduce heat to low. add pepper. let cook 3-5 mins, constantly stirring.
tastes best piping hot.
b., I’ve only had polenta that one time, but I think I would definitely make it myself next time. Your recipe sounds great, I love fresh grated parmesan with any starch, it makes it rich and creamy and reminds me of a risotto. To lighten it, maybe you could use low fat milk instead of heavy cream? Then it ain’t so bad at all!
Just tried those TJ’s Curry Chicken Tenders… while I love Indian food, I think those tasted like soap!! I also love coriander and cilantro, but I thought these were just terrible!
Haha, you know what’s funny? I posted this years ago and I loved them at the time, but I tried them again about a year ago and didn’t like them at all! They must have changed something in the recipe or quality – very strange…
Totally agree… thought they were going to great; but, I was wrong!