Welcome, foodies and skeptics alike, to the world of vegan cooking. Here in this magical land, we take wholesome ingredients and turn them into food that nourishes both your body and your soul. A lot of people out there think that vegan food can only be boring salads or tasteless tofu, but I’m here to blow that myth out of the water with my Vegan Chicken Salad Recipe.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Vegan chicken salad? Can’t we just stick with the real thing?” But let me tell you, this recipe is a game-changer. It’s full of flavor and texture, with savory chunks of tempeh or soy curls mixed with fresh crunchy celery and zesty pickles. And don’t even get me started on the mayo – it’s vegan mayo made from chickpeas or healthy soy-based ingredients.

Trust me, once you try this dish, you’ll swear off those fast-food chicken salad sandwiches for good. So let’s get cookin’, shall we?

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Do you crave for chicken salad but are hesitant to try one because of the guilt of supporting meat consumption? Worry no more because I have a vegan chicken salad recipe that’s sure to win your heart and fill your tummy.

Made with simple yet healthy ingredients, this vegan chicken salad is an easy and tasteful alternative to bland salads. It’s a perfect fit for vegetarians, health enthusiasts or anyone who wants to have a hearty meal without feeling heavy in the gut.

The recipe calls for soy curls or tempeh as the base protein instead of conventional chicken strips. The soy curls are seasoned with nutritional yeast and vegetable broth before being smashed finely for texture or marinated with seasoning, so you won’t even notice they’re not real chicken.

Moreover, the addition of celery, red onion, fresh parsley, dill pickle, and crushed garlic clove creates a burst of flavor and crunch that complements the soy curls’ texture. This rich veggie combo plus the best vegan mayonnaise money can buy gives the dish a signature taste that will undoubtedly keep you coming back for more.

This dish is versatile enough to be served on its own or used as a sandwich filling or as a topping for crackers. It’s also an ideal meal prep item because it keeps well in the fridge, so you can enjoy it even days after making it.

So why deprive yourself of the satisfaction of eating chicken salad when you can experience it cruelty-free? Don’t let labels limit your options. Try out my vegan chicken salad recipe now and experience how tasty and healthy food can be.

Ingredient List

Let’s gather all our ingredients for this easy vegan chicken salad recipe! Here is a list of everything we need to make this tasty, healthy, and vegetarian salad. You will need:

Vegan Chicken

2 cups vegan chicken (such as soy curls or smashed chickpeas)

Vegetables

2 stalks of celery finely diced
1/4 cup red onion finely diced
1 garlic clove minced
1 rib of celery chopped
2 Tablespoons parsley chopped

Dressing

1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
3 Tablespoons pickle relish
1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon nutritional yeast
Seasoning (such as Chick-fil-A seasoning blend or your preferred seasoning)

Additional Ingredients

For the soy curls – 2 cups soy curls + vegetable broth used to cook according to packaged instructions.
For the chickpeas – 15 oz cans chickpeas drained & rinsed or cooked according to packaged instructions.

Note: You can also add a touch of sweetness by including some red grapes into the mixture. And feel free to substitute any vegetables you don’t like with your favorite ones!

The Recipe How-To

Who says vegan food can’t be delicious? This chicken salad will prove them wrong!

Preparing the “Chicken”

To prepare the “chicken”, we will be using tempeh or soy curls. Both options bring in a great texture to the salad while keeping it healthy and vegetarian.

Tempeh:

Start by cutting 8 oz of tempeh into bite-sized strips of about ¼ inch wide.
In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup of vegetable broth, 1 tbsp of soy sauce, 1 minced garlic clove, and a pinch of your favorite seasoning (I recommend nutritional yeast).
In a pan over medium-high heat, add the tempeh strips and the marinade mixture.
Cook for about 10 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed, making sure to stir occasionally.

Soy Curls:

If using soy curls, start by rehydrating them according to package instructions—usually by soaking them in hot water for about 10 minutes.
Once rehydrated, drain any excess water and pat dry with kitchen towels.
In a small bowl, mix together 2 cups of vegetable broth with 2 tbsp of soy sauce.
Add the soy curls to the vegetable broth mixture and let it soak for about 5 minutes.
In a pan over medium-high heat add the soy curls mixture and cook until all liquid is fully absorbed, stirring occasionally.

Preparing the Salad Ingredients

Next up, we’ll prepare our tasty and easy vegan chicken salad ingredients which include onion, celery, parsley, pickles, and vegan mayonnaise.

Finely dice your onion, celery stalks (2 for tempeh or 3 for soy curls), and pickle.
After cooking your tempeh/soy curls, let them cool down before smashing them into smaller bits with your hands. This step brings out the chicken-like texture in both options.
Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl: cooked “chicken”, diced onion and celery, chopped parsley and pickles.

Mixing it All Up

Now it’s time to combine everything together!

Once you have all your ingredients in a large mixing bowl add in ¾ cup of vegan mayonnaise (more if desired), 3 tbsp mustard (Dijon is my preference), and a pinch of salt & pepper to taste.
Mix everything thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the best vegan chicken salad dressing!

Serving Suggestions

You can enjoy your vegan chicken salad either cold or serve as a delicious sandwich on bread or lettuce leaves. I highly recommend pairing it with some red grapes or making it spicy with some hot sauce!

Enjoy your easy vegan chicken salad made from plant-based ingredients!

Substitutions and Variations

Say goodbye to boring salads and say hello to this tasty vegan alternative.

As a vegan chef, I understand that not all ingredients are readily available or preferred by everyone. Thus, in creating my vegan chicken salad recipe, I have included substitutions and variations to cater to different tastes and preferences.

Firstly, for the vegan chicken strips, tempeh or soy curls can be used as an alternative. These plant-based proteins are versatile and easy to find at your local grocery store. You can also use canned chickpeas in place of the vegan chicken strips or mix them together for added texture.

For the vegetables, you can swap celery with bell peppers or cucumber for a bit more crunch. Red grapes can also be added for a touch of sweetness and color.

Instead of red onion, feel free to use shallots or scallions depending on your preference. You can also replace the vegan mayo with your favorite plant-based dressing such as tahini, hummus, or avocado sauce for a healthier option.

To make it more interesting, you can add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor or smashed avocado for creaminess. You can also adjust the seasoning according to your preference using garlic powder, dried herbs, or cumin.

If you’re looking to make this recipe gluten-free, substitute regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos.

Overall, these substitutions and variations do not stray far from the original recipe but offer room for creativity and adaptation based on what you have on hand or personal taste preference.

Serving and Pairing

The combination of juicy vegan chicken, crunchy veggies, and tangy dressing is unbeatable.

, The best thing about this vegan chicken salad recipe is that it is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving and pairing options. You can serve it on a bed of greens, stuff it into a sandwich, or even eat it straight out of the bowl!

If you’re looking for a healthy option, try serving your salad on a bed of mixed greens topped with some fresh red grapes. The sweetness of the grapes pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the salad.

Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for a sandwich, spread some vegan butter or mayonnaise on your bread of choice and fill it up with your delicious chicken salad. You can also add some lettuce leaves or more sliced veggies for extra crunch.

In terms of pairings, this vegan chicken salad recipe goes well with many sides such as chips, crackers or raw veggies. Try serving it with some carrot sticks or celery to balance out the flavors and textures.

Personally, I love pairing my salad with a refreshing drink such as iced tea or lemonade on a hot summer day. It’s so easy to make and perfect for taking on a picnic or enjoying al fresco with friends.

Overall, there are endless ways to serve and pair this vegan chicken salad recipe. The possibilities are truly endless!

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

I bet you won’t even miss the real chicken in this vegan version!

Taking the time to prep a delicious meal can be an investment in both your health and your happiness. One of the best things about this easy vegan chicken salad recipe is that it’s perfect for make-ahead meals, which makes it ideal for busy weekdays or meal prepping Sundays.

If you’re preparing this salad a day ahead of time, we recommend leaving out the dressing components and adding them right before serving to keep things fresh. Squirt on some lemon or lime juice over the veggies and tempeh chicken so they don’t turn brown in the fridge. You can also store the chopped veggies and vegan chicken in separate containers for added freshness.

When you’re ready to eat, give the dressing a good shake and mix it well with the other ingredients. The vegan mayonnaise dressing will bring everything together beautifully, coating each ingredient with love.

Now, what about leftovers? The good news is that this vegan chicken salad holds up really well! You can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days without worry. It’s perfect for lunch boxes, picnics or road trips.

If you’re planning to enjoy this salad cold, then simply transfer it from the fridge to your plate or sandwich, without any reheating required.Imagine biting into scrumptious vegan chicken cubes paired with celery crunch and juicy cranberries – pure bliss!

However, if you prefer your chicken salad heated up, go ahead and microwave or heat it on a stove top before serving. Just keep in mind that salads are meant to be enjoyed fresh and cool, so microwaving could soften some of the raw ingredients like pickles and onions.

Serve this tasty vegan chicken salad over greens, on sandwiches or wraps or even alongside crackers – there’s no wrong way! This dish is convenient, healthy, easy and tastes absolutely scrumptious no matter how you choose to enjoy it.

Tips for Perfect Results

The secret ingredient in this vegan chicken salad? Love, of course!

We all want our meals to come out perfect, and this vegan chicken salad recipe is no exception. Here are a few tips to ensure that your dish is as delicious as you imagined it would be.

1. Use high-quality ingredients: The ingredients we use make a difference in the outcome of the dish. It’s important to choose the freshest and best quality ingredients available. Fresh veggies like celery, red onion, and pickles will make your vegan chicken salad not only tastier but also healthier.

2. Season appropriately: The recipe has already been seasoned with soy sauce and mustard, but you can adjust the amount of seasoning to your liking. Some like their chicken salad seasoned more heavily with garlic or nutmeg or with light sprinkles of nutritional yeast for a unique flavor.

3. Experiment with different add-ins: Not a fan of chickpeas? Try using smashed tofu or edamame instead. You can also add in other fruits like red grapes to add texture and flavor to your salad.

4. Chill it correctly: Be sure to refrigerate your vegan chicken salad promptly after preparing it, and store it in an air-tight container for optimal freshness. When serving or packing it later for lunch, chill it on an ice pack so that it’s safe to consume.

5. Serve creatively: You don’t have to stick with just serving this as a sandwich filling! Try serving it atop sliced bread or seed crackers, mixed into a quinoa bowl or over some rice, or even stuffed into lettuce cups.

Remember, these are just suggestions – feel free to get creative with this recipe! The most important thing is that you enjoy what you’re eating and feel healthy while doing so!

FAQ

As a vegan chef, I always strive to help and guide those looking to transition to a plant-based diet. Understanding the frequently asked questions about cooking vegan food is essential in achieving success, especially when it comes to creating delicious and satisfying meals. To empower you with the knowledge to create easily accessible yet incredibly delicious food, I have curated answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the vegan chicken salad recipe. Read on for solutions that will leave you confident in preparing this fantastic meal.

What is vegan chicken salad made of?

For our scrumptious vegan chickpea salad recipe, prepare a 15 ounce can of chickpeas by draining the water. Then, grab your measuring cups and get ready to mix together ¾ cup of vegan mayonnaise (180g), ½ cup of finely chopped celery, ¼ cup of finely chopped red onion, and ½ cup of finely chopped pecans (55g). To add a tasty tang to the salad, add 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Finally, give the ingredients a kick by adding ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. With these ingredients at the ready, you’re just a few steps away from making a delicious vegan dish that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds!

What is mock chicken salad made of?

For this recipe, you will need a 12-ounce block of extra firm tofu that has been drained and dried. Additionally, you will need two minced garlic cloves, three tablespoons each of soy sauce and olive oil, three tablespoons of nutritional yeast, and 2 teaspoons of Spike seasoning. Finally, you will also need to have a grated carrot and one or two minced stalks of celery on hand for this dish.

Why did Chick Fil A get rid of chicken salad?

A recent announcement from Chick-fil-A revealed that they will discontinue their chicken salad offering by the end of September. This decision, as per a company representative, was made due to customer preferences for diverse and updated options on the menu.

Bottom Line

As we wrap up this vegan chicken salad recipe, I want to remind you of the magic in plant-based cooking. This recipe is proof that you don’t have to sacrifice taste for your ethics or your health. With easy-to-find ingredients and simple steps, creating a delicious meal that is healthy, vegetarian, and tasty is within arm’s reach.

The best vegan chicken salad uses the right blend of seasonings, from garlic clove to soy sauce to Dijon mustard. It also has fresh herbs such as parsley and chopped celery, along with pickles and onion finely diced for extra crunch.

Whether serving it on a sandwich or making it the star of your next picnic lunch, this salad made with vegan chicken strips or any other variation will leave your taste buds wanting more. And let’s not forget the versatility – mix it up with chickpeas drained and rinsed or 15-ounce cans of protein-packed soy curls.

So smash some chickpeas, grab some vegan mayo and give this vegan chicken salad recipe a try. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with the result – a hearty, healthy meal made from 100% vegan ingredients that tastes just as good as the real thing.

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Jolo

Jolo is a talented chef and food blogger with a passion for vegan and Caribbean flavors. From savory vegetarian dishes to tropical smoothies, Jolo’s Kitchen has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for meat-free meals or creative Caribbean recipes, Jolo’s Kitchen is the perfect place for you.

Delicious Vegan Chicken Salad Recipe – Make it Today!