Miss Chicken? Try These Yummy Plant-Based Alternative Recipes

Chicken may be one of the most difficult meats to give up when you embrace a plant-based diet. We’ve seen people make the change and give up red meat first, then gradually make their way to saying goodbye to the white meat, as well. If you’ve recently given up chicken, or find yourself craving that taste years after going vegetarian, we’ve got your back. Here are some yummy alternative recipes to chicken. Give them a try!

1. Potato Chip-Encrusted Baked “Chicken” Salad Sandwiches

Seitan is a plant-based meat made from vital wheat gluten, and its chewy texture makes it a good choice when you want a filling that will mimic the chewiness of chicken.

2. Chicken-Less Pot Pie Soup

Chicken pot pie is a comforting, creamy meal, but it doesn’t have to include meat to be delicious. You can buy your favorite brand of meatless chicken strips at the grocery store to use for this recipe.

3. “Chicken” Green Chili and Hominy Posole

For this posole recipe, use prepared or homemade chicken-flavored seitan.

4. Gluten-Free Vegan Chicken

Learn how to make your own chicken substitute with this recipe, which calls for flours like amaranth, pea, arrowroot and soy.

5. Vegan Spinach ‘Chicken’ Curry

Do you miss the protein content and the full, satisfied feeling you get from eating chicken? Try this recipe. Each serving of this hearty dish has 128 calories, more than 10 grams of protein, and more than 4 grams of dietary fiber.

6. The Best Vegan “Chicken” and “Sausage” Gumbo

This recipe is similar to a traditional gumbo, except you simply use pre-made vegan chicken strips (or the aforementioned homemade gluten-free vegan chicken) and a vegan sausage replacement. You can find tons of brands in stores.

7. Chicken-Free Satay With Peanut Dipping Sauce

You can use faux chicken, tofu or seitan for the satay part of this recipe, and make a peanut dipping sauce from coconut milk, smooth peanut butter, reserved marinade and water.

8. Curry Chick’n and Gnocchi Soup

Purchase a package of chick’n strips from the grocery store, or use the aforementioned gluten-free vegan chicken recipe for this soup.

9. Crunchy Cranberry Chick’n Sandwiches

For this recipe, use soy curls. To prepare them, place the soy curls in a bowl of warm water to soak. After 10 minutes, drain and squeeze out all remaining liquid.

10. Mock Chicken Salad

Tempeh is a great stand-in for chicken. Try it for this mock chicken salad recipe.

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