This Trader Joe's Harvest Blend Stir-Fry recipe is a simple, delicious, and healthy fall recipe that is perfect for lunch or dinner. We combine the nourishing grains in Trader Joe's Harvest Blend with tender chicken, onions, celery, garlic, ginger, spinach, and tomatoes, topped with cilantro and feta cheese. It gives scrumptious Mediterranean vibes and is as delicious as it is healthy!
I love turning natural, wholesome ingredients into delicious meals. The cornerstone of this recipe is the Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains Blend, a nutritious mix featuring red quinoa, baby garbanzo beans, and Israeli couscous.
We've perfected cooking this blend in an Instant Pot with chicken broth and Trader Joe's 21 seasoning blend.
It's fun to experiment with finds from TJ's hauls and make simple, delicious, and healthy meals from them. Check out a few of my favorites: Trader Joe's Chicken Meatballs Spaghetti Bake, Trader Joe's Chicken Shawarma, and Trader Joe's Holiday Hash.
Pro Tip: While you're at TJ's grab a ready-made pie crust for an easy Peach Cobbler with Ready-Made Crust!
Before starting this recipe, we encourage you to set healthy intentions. Be sure to check out our free guide on setting intentions.
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Ingredients
Celery: Adding a crunchy texture and fresh taste, celery is a great source of antioxidants and essential nutrients. Organic is best.
Ginger: Fresh ginger adds a zesty, spicy kick and is well-regarded for its anti-inflammatory and digestive health benefits.
Cherry Tomatoes: They're also a great source of lycopene, vitamins C, and K. Organic is best!
Cilantro (optional): Cilantro is known for its detoxifying properties. Organic is best.
See the recipe card for the full ingredient list and quantities.
Substitutions and Variations
Vegan Variation: To make this dish vegan-friendly, swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth and omit the chicken. Use a vegan cheese alternative instead of feta, or simply skip the cheese.
Harvest Grain Salad: Top your favorite fresh leafy greens with this stir fry for a hearty salad.
Stuffed Vegetables: Scoop the blend into hollowed-out bell peppers or zucchini boats and bake for a delicious, filling meal.
How to Make Trader Joe's Harvest Blend Stir-Fry
Step 1: Start by adding the entire package of Harvest Grain Blend into your Instant Pot along with 3 cups of chicken broth and a sprinkle of TJ's 21 Seasoning Salute.
Set the Instant Pot to high pressure for 1 minute. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
Fluff and set aside.
Step 2: In a large skillet, warm avocado oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, celery, and ginger to the skillet. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
Sauté these ingredients for about 3-5 minutes until they become soft and aromatic, creating a flavorful base for the dish.
Step 3: Add the cooked Harvest Grain Blend from the Instant Pot into the skillet.
Then, mix in fresh baby spinach and cherry tomatoes.
Stir gently on medium heat, allowing the spinach to wilt and the tomatoes to blend with the other ingredients.
Add a bit more oil if needed to keep the whole thing moist and flavorful.
Remove the skillet from the heat once everything is well combined.
Step 4: Now, gently fold in shredded chicken, fresh cilantro, and crumbled feta cheese.
If you like a bit of spice, a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes is a great addition.
Do a final seasoning check, adding more salt and pepper as needed.
Serve warm or cold!
Hint: Grease the bottom of the instant pot with butter, ghee, or avocado oil before cooking to avoid sticking. Chop and sautee the veggies while the grains are cooking so everything will be ready once the grains are done.
*If you do not have an instant pot, use a large pot on the stove, following the package instructions.
Expert Tips
To maximize flavor and texture, try toasting the Harvest Grain Blend slightly before cooking it in the Instant Pot. This can be done by dry toasting the grains on saute mode for a minute or two until they become aromatic.
Remember to stir frequently during toasting to prevent burning.
Trader Joe's Harvest Blend Stir Fry FAQ's
Trader Joe's Harvest Blend is quite versatile, and you can add a variety of ingredients to tailor it to your taste. Fresh vegetables like spinach, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers add color and nutrients. For protein, consider adding chicken, tofu, or chickpeas. Nuts and dried fruits like cranberries or apricots can also provide a delightful texture and flavor contrast. Spices and herbs, such as thyme, rosemary, or a dash of cumin, can elevate the blend's natural flavors.
Yes, you can cook Trader Joe's Harvest Blend in a rice cooker. It's a convenient and effective method to ensure the grains are cooked evenly. Just add the blend to the rice cooker with the appropriate amount of water or broth, following the package instructions for the water-to-grain ratio. The rice cooker will handle the rest, providing you with perfectly cooked grains every time.
Trader Joe's is known for its commitment to offering quality products, and there are certain ingredients they choose not to sell. These include artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). However, it's important to note that while they focus on healthier options, some products may still contain artificial ingredients.
Therefore, we always recommend checking the ingredient list on the packaging to ensure the product meets your dietary preferences and standards.
More Trader Joe's Recipes
Looking for other healthy dinner recipes like this? Try these:
Have you tried this recipe? How did you like it? Leave us a 🌟 rating and let us know what you think in the comments below! Don't miss a new recipe: sign up for our weekly newsletter! Try a similar recipe: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Bowl or for something quick: Leftover Steak Fajitas.
Recipe
Trader Joe's Harvest Blend Chicken & Spinach Stir-Fry
Equipment
- Chefs knife
- cutting board
- large skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 teaspoon ginger minced
- 2 teaspoon garlic minced
- 4-6 celery stalks minced
- 1 sweet onion minced
- 1 package of Trader Joe's Harvest Blend rinsed
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoon TJ's 21 Seasoning Salute
- 1.5 tablespoon Avocado oil
- 5 oz baby spinach or more if desired
- Hot sauce optional
- Cilantro chopped
- One small package of feta cheese optional
- One pint of cherry tomatoes halved
- Sea Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In an Instant Pot, cook the Harvest Blend with chicken broth and 21 Seasoning Salute on high pressure for 1 minute. Allow pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes.
- Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic, onion, celery, and ginger. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until soft, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked Harvest Blend, fresh baby spinach, and cherry tomatoes into the skillet. Continue stirring until the spinach wilts and tomatoes are well mixed. Remove from heat.
- Gently mix in shredded chicken, chopped cilantro, and feta cheese. Add hot sauce if desired. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm and enjoy!
Anonymous says
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Natalie Perry says
you are welcome!
Alexandra says
I love fresh and delicious dishes like this one that come together quickly. This is one for the whole family to enjoy - we all really enjoy spinach and feta!
Natalie Perry says
Happy to hear you enjoyed it!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
A delicious meal in a bowl!! I bought the harvest blend before and it never occurred to me to add more ingredients!! This is so tasty, satisfying AND easy to make!
Natalie Perry says
Happy you enjoyed it!
Nora says
Yum! This stir fry sounds fantastic! Love the combination of spices and I can hardly wait to give it a try!
Natalie Perry says
Let us know how you enjoyed it 🙂
Andréa says
I love a good stir-fry, they're so easy and got a lot of flavor. And I like the combination of couscous with spinach and feta. Delicious!
Natalie Perry says
Thank you for sharing!