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How to Microwave Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala

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Searching for a quick way to heat up Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala? Slightly spicy and earthy taste, tikka masala taste like heaven and with a side of naan and basmati rice, it fulfill your empty stomach. 

Quick and safe way to heat up chicken tikka masala from Trader Joe is using microwave. Save time by nuking the prepared meal in just a few minutes.

How do you microwave Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala? Remove the plastic tray from the box and make 2 to 3 holes in the film lid. Microwave on high power for 3 minutes. 

Carefully peel the cover sheet and gently stir the sauce to evenly distribute the heat, then nuke an additional 1½ minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered safe to eat.

The cooking time may vary depend on the microwave wattage. Remove the plastic film on top and serve directly or transfer to a separate plate to enjoy.

Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala doesn’t require much time to be cooked up. Microwaving perhaps is the fasted method to prepare tikka masala and requires less than 5 minutes of microwaving instead of 20 to 25 minutes in conventional oven.

In this article, we are going to share our microwave tips for how to reheat Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala that results fluffy rice with juicy and saucy chicken. Answered below are frequently asked question so that you cook it perfectly every time.

Can you microwave Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala?

Absolute yes, go ahead and microwave Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala. It is the easiest and quickest way to heat up this dish, and it only takes about 5 minutes. 

Microwaving the tikka masala is more advantageous than other heating methods because it cooks precisely, and its texture is maintained.  

Also, you can even microwave the tikka masala to serve with some frozen naan by placing the masala chicken in the heated naan and fold it over. The meal can be very delicious, especially when consumed by dipping bread into the sauce.

Is it safe to microwave Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala?

Yes, it is 100% safe to microwave Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala. To be considered safe to eat, stir frequently and microwave until theinternal temperature reaches 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit

To achieve safety measures when microwaving, the tikka masala should spend no more than 5 minutes in total to reheat. Stirring the sauce is necessary as the microwaving process doesn’t always equally distribute the heat throughout the whole dish. 

The microwave should be at high heat mode with 800 to 900W. It’s also good to take precautions when serving microwaved tikka masala because it is scalding, therefore give it 2 minutes to standstill after microwaving.

How do you microwave Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala?

The process of microwaving Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala can be achieved through the following steps.

Take out the divided tray from the box and puncture 2 to 3 holes in the lid with a fork. This will help to release the steam while microwaving and avoid from exploding due to steam trapped inside. 

Place the chicken tikka masala tray in the microwave. Set the microwave into a high mode and start the microwaving process for the first 3 minutes.

After the 3 minutes are over, peel the film back and stir the sauce gently for equal heat distribution. The microwaving process should continue for another minute or so.

After the microwaving process is over, use meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reached 74 degrees Celsius or 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow the mixture to cool down for about 2 minutes before serving it.

The microwaving process varies depending on the watt power of the microwave used. As you perform the process, it must heat the tikka masala at high power for 3 minutes for chicken fully heated. 

It’s always good to read the cooking instruction of chicken tikka masala carefully before performing the process of microwaving.

How long do you microwave Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala?

The complete process of microwaving the chicken tikka masala takes about 4 to 4½ minutes total, making the microwaving process most accessible and fast compared to other heating methods. 

The cooking time is divided into 2 steps. First step is heated in high to cook the chicken for 3 minutes. 

Afterwards, to stir the sauce and reheat the chicken for 1 to 1½ minutes. Stir frequently to speed up the heating process and evenly distribute the heat while microwaving.

Before serving the microwaved Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala, you should allow it to cool for 2 minutes before serving.

Tips to microwave Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala

There are microwave and conventional oven methods to heat up Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala dish. Depending on your preference and desired cooking time, microwave will take about 4 to 4½ minutes, while a conventional oven will take about 20 to 25 minutes to reheat.

When microwaving the Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala, follow these useful tips achieve the best results; 

  • Puncture 2 to 3 holes in the plastic film to help to release steam while microwaving. 
  • Avoid transferring the chicken tikka masala and rice to reheat in a separate container, instead the divider tray is microwave-safe.
  • Stir the chicken, sauce and rice thoroughly to avoid any uneven cold or hotspots.
  • Double check the internal temperature of chicken pieces. For food safety concerns, heat to an internal temperature of 74°C or 165°F. 
  • Let the microwave chicken tikka masala sit in the closed microwave for a couple of minutes to settle down before completely removing the film to serve.

Best way to microwave Trader joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala

Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala is filled with flavor and nutrition that makes it the perfect quick meal for lunch or dinner. Simply, microwaving it takes shortest amount of time to enjoy this cultural cuisine at home.

In order to achieve the best microwaving of Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala, remove the tray from the carton and make 2 to 3 holes with a fork.

Place the tray in the microwave and run it on high power for 3 minutes. Afterwards, carefully open the film and stir the chicken, sauce and rice to help to spread out the heat.

Close the film and place the tray back into microwave and heat it for another 1 to 1½ minutes additionally. Check the internal temperature of chicken reaches to 165 degree Fahrenheit to safely consume. 

Once the chicken and rice is fully reheated, remove the cover and serve with your favorite naan on the side.

How to microwave Trader Joes chicken tikka masala

Microwaving Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala: Conclusion

The chicken tikka masala from Trader Joe consists of roasted chicken breast prepared with a robust creamy sauce and cumin-flavored basmati rice in one serving. To bring back this flavor at home can be challenging, however microwave can benefit for easy meal prep and cleanup afterwards.

When microwaving Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala, punch 2 to 3 holes on the top film and heat on high power for 3 minutes. The microwaving process ultimately depends on the power of the microwave used.

Rip the film half way and stir both chicken and rice, then place the tray back into the microwave and heat an additional 1 to 1½ minutes to complete the heating process. Check the internal temperature to verify the meal is safely reheated, then serve the microwaved Trader Joe’s chicken tikka masala with confidence.

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