The Best Vegan Seitan Chicken Recipe (2024)

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This is the best vegan seitan chicken recipe because it tastes like chicken, is easy to make, and it's so versatile. If you love our vegan BBQ ribs recipe, you're going to love this vegan chicken. You can grill it, make Vegan Fried Chicken,Hot Chicken or use it wherever you would use chicken.

Published August 1, 2019 and updated July 23, 2021.

The Best Vegan Seitan Chicken Recipe (1)

Why it Works

Vegan chicken recipes can be made with tofu, tempeh, cauliflower, or vital wheat gluten (seitan).

This particular recipe is made with vital wheat gluten, and it's as close to real chicken as you're going to get.

It's chewy, it can be shredded to make pulled barbecue, and it mimics real chicken better than anything else that we've tried

The Best Vegan Seitan Chicken Recipe (2)

VEGAN FOOD TO BRING TO A BBQ

Never again will you have to wonder what to take to a barbecue, because our vegan chicken breasts are perfect for the grill!

Serve them next to our Southern-Style Creamy Potato Salad and our Watermelon and Tomato Salad for the perfect vegan BBQ dinner

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WHAT IS VITAL WHEAT GLUTEN?

It’s the natural protein found in wheat and it’s what gives seitan its meat like texture.

Basically, the wheat is stripped of everything except the gluten. The good news is that it’s very high in protein and low in carbs.

It’s also a good source of calcium and iron.

Most grocery stores carry it in their health, vegan, or baking sections. You can also order it on AmazonThe Best Vegan Seitan Chicken Recipe (4)

Bob’s Red Mill vital wheat gluten is our favorite.

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WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU NEED TO MAKE A VEGAN CHICKEN RECIPE?

  • 2 cups vital wheat gluten – we use Bob’s Red Mill brand.
  • 1 cup silken tofu – we’ve used shredded jackfruit and mushrooms in our ribz and brisket recipes, but for this vegan chicken breast recipe the tofu helps mimic the tender texture of chicken.
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tbs no chicken bouillon – this is important as it really adds the flavor. We use Better than Bouillon No Chicken Base.
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tbs chicken seasoning – most spice brands make a chicken seasoning blend.
  • 1 tbs vegan Worcestershire sauce – Annie’s or The Wizard’s makes a vegan version.
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HOW DO YOU MAKE VEGAN CHICKEN?

STEP ONE

The first thing you do is whisk the vital wheat gluten with the garlic and onion powder, salt, and chicken seasoning until they’re completely combined.

STEP TWO

Whisk the tofu, water, chicken bouillon, and vegan Worcestershire sauce until the tofu is broken down into small pieces.

STEP THREE

Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and then knead the dough until it forms a solid ball. Don’t overdo it or the seitan will have a tough texture. It will be stretchy.

If it’s too dry, add a tablespoon of water at a time until it forms a stretchy dough. If it’s too wet, add a bit more vital wheat gluten.

STEP FOUR

Roll or press the dough into a flat circle, approximately a half-inch thick. It will try and shrink, just keep pressing it back.

Also, if it tears, just press the dough back together.

Now cut out cutlets. You can make them as large or as small as you’d like.

STEP FIVE

Put a steamer basket in a large pot and fill it with water just to the bottom of the basket. You don’t want the water to touch the seitan cutlets. Bring the water to a boil.

Spray a bit of oil on the basket to prevent the cutlets from sticking. Place the cutlets on the basket.

If you need to overlap the cutlets, lightly spray them with oil to prevent sticking.

Reduce the water to a simmer and cover the pot. Steam for 30 minutes.

STEP SIX

Remove the vegan chicken breasts from the pot and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Chilling the vegan chicken cutlets makes the texture even better.

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How to Store It

Store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze it in an airtight container for up to 3 months..

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How to Serve Vegan Seitan Chicken

Southern-Style Vegan Chicken and Biscuits - Shred the seitan chicken instead of using jackfruit.

Vegan Pulled BBQ Chicken

White Bean "Chicken" Chili - Shred the seitan chicken instead of using jackfruit.

Vegan Cobb Salad

Spicy Vegan Orange Ground Chicken Bowls

Make the best vegan chicken seitan recipe and let us know what you think. We love to hear from you! And, don’t forget to take a picture of your gorgeous creation and tag us @veganosity on Instagram.

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The Best Vegan Seitan Chicken Recipe (16)

The best vegan seitan chicken recipe

This easy vegan seitan chicken recipe is perfect on the grill, fried, or in salads.

3.98 from 76 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Vegan

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 172kcal

Author:

Cost: $6

Equipment

  • steamer basket

  • stove

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Vital wheat gluten
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning
  • 1 cup silken tofu
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon no chicken bouillon paste
  • 1 tablespoon Vegan Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk the 2 cups vital wheat gluten with the 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon chicken seasoning until they’re completely combined.

  • In a small bowl, whisk the 1 cup tofu, ½ cup water, 1 tablespoon no chicken bouillon paste, and 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce until the tofu breaks down into small pieces.

  • Stir the wet ingredients into the dry and when it forms a ball.

  • On a clean flat surface dusted with vital wheat gluten, knead the dough for 1 minute then roll or press into a ½ inch thick circle. The dough will keep shrinking, just continue to press it back. If the dough tears, press it back together.

  • Using a sharp paring knife, cut out the chicken cutlets. You can decide on how small or large you want them to be.

  • Place a steaming basket in a large pot and fill with water until the water is just below the basket. You don’t want water to touch the cutlets. Bring the water to a boil.

  • Spray a light coating of oil on the basket to prevent the cutlets from sticking and place the cutlets on the basket. If you need to layer the cutlets, spray a light coating of oil on the bottom layer so they don’t stick together.

  • Reduce the water to a simmer, cover the pot, and steam for 30 minutes.

  • Remove the cutlets from the pot and refrigerate for at least an hour. This will let the seitan develop a better texture.

  • TO GRILL THE VEGAN CHIK’N BREASTS

  • Brush or spray a light coating of vegetable oil on both sides and grill for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until they’re heated through.

  • Layer on our homemade BBQ sauce for added flavor.

  • Enjoy!

Notes

NUTRITION DISCLAIMER

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

You can freeze the cooked cutlets in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and heat on the grill, stove, or in the oven. You can also eat them cold chopped in salads or on a sandwich.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 654mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 19IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 3mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Veganosity or tag #Veganosity!

The Best Vegan Seitan Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best flour for seitan? ›

All-purpose flour: 10–12% protein – This can be used, but some brands work better than others depending on where the protein is coming from. Read more info below. Bread flour: 12–16% protein – Fine-grain, unbleached, white varieties are optimal for making seitan.

Is it OK to eat seitan everyday? ›

Eat it sparingly,” he says. “It's not necessarily a once a day thing, and if you think you need a plant-based option I'd actually suggest tofu over seitan.”

How do you make seitan that isn't rubbery? ›

Add a little less water and knead it thoroughly. Let it stay for 30 minutes and knead it again, I even use a wooden roll for that. I some times add a tablespoon of potato starch or cornstarch, this adds consistency without making it too rubbery or hard (don't knead as much).

Is seitan a good substitute for chicken? ›

This vegan chicken alternative is simple to whip up and perfect to add to any meal. Crispy crunchy on the outside, and tender chewy in the middle. The perfect meaty texture to amp up any vegan meal! If you are new to making seitan this is the perfect recipe for beginners to try.

Who should avoid seitan? ›

While seitan is a versatile plant-based protein, people with celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or gluten allergy should avoid it. Premade seitan can also be high in sodium, so it's important to read the nutrition label if you monitor your sodium intake.

Is seitan good or bad for you? ›

Is Seitan Healthy? In many ways, yes, seitan is quite a healthy option. The seitan nutrition facts are hard to argue with: notable amounts of protein, iron, calcium, selenium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. This combination of macro- and micronutrients can result in some pretty impressive health benefits.

Which is healthier tofu or seitan? ›

Is seitan better for you than tofu? Both foods are a good source of plant-based protein. Seitan has twice as much per serving than tofu. However, tofu has more calcium, phosphorus, and antioxidants than seitan.

Is it cheaper to make or buy seitan? ›

It's cheaper to make seitan than to buy it pre-fabricated. It's also cheaper to make it than to buy good-quality, local meat, so it's a good budget protein item. It's stupid easy to make, especially if you've made homemade bread. It's super customizable, both in flavor and texture.

Which is healthier tempeh or seitan? ›

Seitan is highest in calories and protein, as its main ingredient is vital wheat gluten, which has a similar nutritional profile to protein powder. Tempeh is high in protein, vitamins and minerals, but also low in sodium and carbs.

What is the problem with seitan? ›

Specifically, they may be quite high in sodium, which represents a problem for people who are trying to lower the salt in their diets. Because seitan depends on added seasonings to deliver flavor, it's important to make sure you aren't sensitive to any of those ingredients if you do have food sensitivities.

What are the disadvantages of seitan? ›

What are the cons?
  • Not suitable for those with gluten-sensitivities or coeliac disease.
  • Doesn't absorb much flavour.
  • High amounts of sodium (salt) in the packaged product.
  • Seitan is hard to source unlike other vegetarian protein alternatives meaning you may have to venture to a specialty vegetarian “butcher”

What happens if you eat too much seitan? ›

Some people may have gluten sensitivities or allergies, and seitan is not suitable for them. Additionally, consuming seitan in excessive amounts may lead to an imbalance in nutrient intake, as it is primarily a protein source and lacks other essential nutrients found in a well-rounded diet.

Why isn t seitan popular? ›

Seitan probably isn't popular because it is essentially concentrated gluten. There are a lot of people out there that stay away from gluten due to celiac disease and sensitivities to it. I'll have to give it a try. I'm not a vegetarian, but always up to try something new.

Does Trader Joe's sell seitan? ›

In the world of plant-based protein, seitan (pronounced SAY-tan) is a name you need to know. It's as high in protein as steak, plus it's readily available at grocery mainstays like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Target.

What is another name for seitan? ›

Seitan (UK: /ˈseɪtæn/, US: /-tɑːn/; Japanese: セイタン) is a food made from gluten, the main protein of wheat. It is also known as miànjīn (Chinese: 麵筋), fu (Japanese: 麩), milgogi (Korean: 밀고기), wheat meat, gluten meat, or simply gluten.

Why is my seitan so rubbery? ›

Boiling seitan makes it have a brainy spongey texture, frying seitan (without first steaming it) makes it rubbery and spongey, baking it makes it dry and rubbery. Steaming seitan, on the other hand, will yield the perfect meaty, juicy, chewy, yet tender seitan every single time.

Is it cheaper to make your own seitan? ›

Because of its meaty texture, seitan can be used in a variety of dishes, from sandwiches and stir-fries to stews and soups. The best part is that making seitan at home is easy, and it's much cheaper than buying pre-made or store-bought seitan.

What gluten-free flour thickens best? ›

White rice flour: fine wheat substitute

It works very well as a thickening agent because it prevents liquid separation – it is particularly good for soups, gravies and sauces but can also work for cakes, cookies and crackers.

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