You are bitting into a crispy otter layer of chicken; the inside is juicy that melts into your mouth.
Pause.
What you just ate is plant-based!
The flavor and looks deceived you, but who won't be happy knowing that it's not only similar but also healthier for you, the environment, and animals.
You will be stunned to know Vegan world has a lot more to offer.
Vegan chicken is a new food trend that is picking up steam in the culinary world. The idea of plant-based meat substitutes has been around for years, but the vegan chicken trend has really taken off.
"The best Vegan Chicken Recipe ever!" You will be utterly delighted to know all the vegetarian meat you can make at home and find in your nearby stores. With easily available ingredients in the grocery stores, you will be the next best Vegan chef at home.
Starting from scratch, this blog will include a homemade seitan chicken recipe. You can use this vegetarian chicken and make different dishes, from nuggets to pasta. Or order your favorite Plant-based Chicken Curry Vegicken Curry Kit from GoodDot.
In this blog, you will get to know everything about vegan chicken.
Do You Know you can make Vegan Chicken at home?
Grab your ingredients, prepare some marinade, and Boom! It's ready!
No cap; you can make vegan chicken at home. No, it doesn't take an eternity, just a little of your time.
Your cravings for chicken nuggets for weeks don't have to wait in a long line for vegan options.
The vegan version does not only help to have a guilt-free consumption of food but also helps animals and the environment in many other ways.
Novice cooks have been on the rise in recent years due to the growth in self-sufficiency and interest in cooking shows such as Netflix's "Master of None." Vegan cooking has grown in popularity for being an easy way to eat healthier without sacrificing flavor.
Since Mock meat contains more significant levels of fiber and is high in protein, have lower levels of saturated fat, food items like vegan chicken are, for the most part, thought to be a better option in contrast to the meat.
The Vegan recipes are a great alternative for those looking for a healthy and cruelty-free meal.
Getting Started From Scratch
Have we kept you from the secret for too long?
Well, here is everything you need to know before making vegan chicken.
Vegan versions of meat are intended to impersonate the texture and taste of meat.
Vegan chicken is made from ingredients like vegetable protein, soy, or vital wheat gluten, and it's formed into patties, nuggets, or much more.
Let's get started from scratch!
How to make Vegan Chicken?
To look at the vegan chicken recipe, we will need to look at the ingredients.
For Vegan Seitan Chicken
- 439 g pack of silken tofu
- 400 g tin of White kidney beans, including the soaking water
- 6 tbsp vegetable oil (neutral-flavored)
- 2 tsp flaky sea salt
- 2 tbsp white miso paste
- 2 tsp rice vinegar (alternatively use apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar)
- 380 g vital wheat gluten
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the Brine
- 3 crushed cloves garlic
- 4 tbsp white miso paste
- 120 ml dry white wine (Vegan)
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 500 ml just-boiled water
- 2 tbsp mushroom bouillon or 2 mushroom stock cubes
- 2 tsp flaky sea salt
- 4 bay leaves
Instructions
To make Vegan Chicken
Step 1: Into a big cup or jug attachment of a high-speed blender, place tofu, white kidney beans (with their water), vegan miso paste, rice vinegar, flaky sea salt, and 3 tbsp of vegetable oil.
Step 2: Blend it at high speed for 1 minute. Remove the cup, and use a spatula to ensure no lumps are left on the side. Blend again for another 30 seconds until a very smooth and creamy texture is achieved.
Step 3: Add the vital wheat gluten and the garlic powder to the mixture and blend until the mix is very stretchy and smooth.
Step 4: Add the remaining 3 tbsp vegetable oil and blend again for a half minute.
The seitan dough will be very stringy at this stage. It should remind you of chewing gum.
Step 5: Divide the vegan seitan chicken dough into 8 pieces (around 150g each)
Step 6: Work with one piece at a time. Pinch the edges of the piece of the seitan and tuck it over and into the centre, make one side smooth and tuck one side. Roughly shape the dough into a fillet.
Repeat with the remaining pieces.
Step 7: On a clean surface, lay a sheet of greaseproof paper. Place the fillet on it and fold the sides of that greaseproof paper over, wrapping it tightly. You can also use cheesecloth/muslin to cover the seitan and bind it with a string tightly.
Note: Wrap the seitan as tightly as possible or else it will expand and turn out spongy instead of firm and meaty.
Step 8: Take a steamer and place the tightly wrapped vegetarian seitan chicken "breasts." Use an electric steamer or bamboo; either one will work fine- steam for 1 hour. Check the fillets with little prod after an hour and check the right consistency- firm and bouncy.
Step 9: Once steamed, take out the seitan chicken and let it cool off for 20 minutes without unwrapping.
In the meantime, prepare your marinade.
To Make the Brine
Step 1: In a medium bowl, put vegan miso paste, dry white wine, crushed garlic, and sugar, and whisk together to form a smooth paste.
Step 2: Take your now cool vegan chicken and unwrap it. Use your hand to pull apart the pieces into two. (Do not slice it with a knife).
Step 3: Place the vegan chicken in a large Tupperware container with a lid. Pour the marinade that was sitting aside and, with hands, rub it into the vegetarian meat.
Step 4: In a large measuring jug, add the just-boiled water and all the remaining brine ingredients. Pour the hot brine over the vegetarian chicken pieces and make sure it is covered in liquid.
Step 5: Cover the container with a lid and let it cool to room temperature before placing it in the fridge for marination. Marinate it for 8 hours minimum; ideally, it should be 12 hours if you can.
Step 6: Once the chicken has marinated for a minimum of 8 hours, it is ready to use.
Use a fork to shred marinated vegan chicken or pull it apart for a rough texture, or you can slice it into pieces with a knife.
Do you not have enough time to make it from scratch?
We got this, bruh! You will get all your answers here. GoodDot offers you the best Vegan Chicken Curry, which is very easy to prepare and takes even less time!
VEGICKEN CURRY
Ingredients
- Vegicken
- 170 g Onion (3 medium)
- 80 g Tomato (1 medium)
- 50 g Garlic
- 25 g Ginger
- 2 tsp Red Chilli powder
- 3 tsp Coriander powder
- ½ tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tsp Salt or (as per taste)
- 120 ml Oil
- Whole Spices (Included in the curry kit)
Preparation
Step 1: Take out Vegicken from the pack and separate it into small pieces by hand and wash them thoroughly.
Step 2: Add Ginger & Garlic to a mixer and add 20 ml of water to make a paste.
Step 3: Separately Churn in Onion and Tomato in a mixer and make a separate paste.
Marination
Step 1: Marinate the Vegicken pieces with the previously made ginger garlic paste in a bowl.
Step 2: Let it sit for 30 minutes or overnight (according to convenience).
Method
Step 1: Heat 120 ml oil in a pressure cooker and add the whole spices & sauté them for 10 seconds.
Step 2: Add the marinated Vegicken pieces with 50ml of water into the cooker and let it cook on a high flame for 2 min. (Keep stirring)
Step 3: Add the prepared onion tomato paste into the cooker and add red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, and cook for 5 more min, on high flame.
Step 4: Add 400ml water into the cooker. Close the lid and pressure cook for 8 whistles on a high flame.
Step 5: Let the pressure settle after turning off the flame, add the Vegicken seasoning into the cooker, and cook further 5 min. on low flame. (Keep stirring).
Step 6: The tasty and healthy Vegicken Curry is ready. Garnish it with chopped coriander. Serve HOT!
Where to Use Vegan Chicken?
Vegan chicken is not made of chicken, so where do I use it?
Is there any rule book for it?
Are we not supposed to use it in curry, or is it okay to fry them?
Relax, vegan food is as versatile as your regular one.
You can fry them, make Butter chicken curry, chicken tikka, nuggets, and everything your now watering mouth can recall.
There are many ways to enjoy vegan chicken, and here are our suggestions that you should not miss out on:
- Make Vegan Chicken Nuggets: On a movie night, you could deep fry it like nuggets, and with some vegan sauces, you can enjoy your delicious snack.
- In Curries: Oh no! your not-so "vegan-friendly" fam is coming to your home for dinner; we have got you! Make some Vegan Chicken curry at home and surprise them with flavors and textures they won't believe could be entirely plant-based.
- In Salads: Salads can be a lot more interesting than your usual stereotypical greens without any dressing. Throw some vegan chicken in your salad with some vegan salad dressings, and a high-protein heavenly salad will be celebrating in your mouth.
- Make Stir-fries: Marinade your vegetarian chicken and pop it in your stir-fried veggies. Nothing could be better than an easy-to-make lunch on weekdays.
- In Sandwiches: Who doesn't like a good sandwich for lunch? Thinly slice your plant-based chicken put it on bread with some vegan mayo, lettuce, and fresh veggies.
- In Soups: Chicken Noodle Soup, but make it vegan!
- Make Pasta Dishes: Shred some vegetarian chicken, add it to your pasta, and Mama Mia! You will be utterly surprised.
There is no rule book for vegan chicken. You can enjoy it as per your liking, and your cooking skills. You will be delighted to know how the wonderous world of veganism not only introduces you to a cruelty-free world but also let you enjoy many cuisines with the paradise of flavors.
Vegan Chicken Recipe FAQ
- How long do they last?
A: One week in the fridge.
2. Can I freeze them?
A: Yes, you can! It will be best to freeze them after steaming. Place it in the fridge when it's cooled down. Rub in the spice and fry them up as usual in the vegan butter.
3. Where can I buy Vegicken?
A: Grab your pack at GoodDot
4. Is it healthy?
A: Seitan is high in protein and low in calories. It also contains numerous minerals which are indeed very healthy for your health!
5. Can I add more flavorings to the dough?
A: Yes! Add flavoring as you desire and make it your own.