It’s even better than takeout!
Reviewed by Dietitian Katey Davidson, M.Sc.FN, RD, CPT
Key Points
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Gyoza Potstickers cost $3.99 for a bag of 24.
- These versatile dumplings can be pan-fried, steamed or added to soup in minutes.
- A serving of four potstickers provides 130 calories and 7 grams of protein.
After a busy day, you may not always feel like making dinner. I find myself in this predicament all the time: too tired, too short on time or just not in the mood to cook a full meal. I used to have my favorite dumplings delivered to my door, but now I just reach for my favorite freezer staple instead: the Chicken Gyoza Potstickers from Trader Joe’s.
Not only are they affordable at just $3.99 for a bag of 24 but they are super easy to make, easy to pair and definitely delicious. Even when I have plenty of groceries in my fridge, this bag of goodness is still one of my favorite entrées—and I always throw it in my cart during a run to TJ’s.
Why I Love Trader Joe’s Chicken Gyoza Potstickers
So out of all of the yummy freezer meals at Trader Joe’s, why these? For starters, the flavor is reminiscent of my favorite takeout gyozas. Packed full of chicken, cabbage and onion, they don’t skimp on the filling. It’s not only deliciously savory, with a strong base of seasoned chicken and cabbage, but the onion, hints of soy sauce, ginger and sesame add dimension.
Plus, the soft wrapper is easy to cook to your liking. If you prefer your gyoza steamed, simply add some water to a pan with your dumplings and place a lid on it. I personally love them pan-fried, so I add a little oil to the pan first. The dumplings cook seam-side up and form a crispy, golden brown texture on one side before I add a splash of water to finish steaming. You can even add them to a soup that’s simmering on the stove. Simply pop them into the broth, still frozen, and wait a few minutes until the wrapper is tender.
No matter how you prepare the gyoza, their texture is somehow always perfect. Soft, chewy and thin, they’re the perfect counterpart to the hearty filling. All of these methods take just minutes. The pan-fry method is probably the most involved, and it still requires just 10 minutes from start to finish—around 3 minutes to sear and 7 minutes to steam.
How I Serve Them
While I’m usually just preparing these for myself, the bag can comfortably serve four. The serving size calls for four potstickers, but I tend to make either six or eight for myself depending on what I’m pairing them with.
If I’m running really low on groceries, I’ll happily enjoy these gyozas by themselves. In that case, I’ll have eight—equal to two servings that comes out to 260 calories and 14 grams of protein. If I’m serving these alongside a side of rice, over a salad or with steamed veggies, I’ll have six.
These are delicious on their own, but serving them with a sauce is a natural choice. If you want to dip them in soy sauce, consider going with a reduced-sodium option or a similar-tasting sauce like coconut aminos since one serving (four gyozas) has 250 milligrams of sodium.
I love pairing these with another Trader Joe’s option, their Sweet Chili Sauce. It’s a sweet sauce with a touch of heat, making it the perfect contrast to these rich and savory dumplings. However, if you’re being mindful of added sugars, note that 1 tablespoon has 5 grams of added sugar.
The Bottom Line
There’s one freezer staple I always have on hand, and it’s the Chicken Gyoza Potstickers from Trader Joe’s. After all, they’re delicious, easy to make, budget-friendly and super versatile when it comes to preparations and pairings. For busy weeknights or evenings when you want to order takeout, these gyoza potstickers are a restaurant-worthy main that is well worth the 10 minutes of prep. On your next TJ’s run, make sure to grab these from the freezer aisle and enjoy your new favorite frozen meal.