Vegan Substitutes For Chicken Breasts: Is There A Vegan Substitute For Chicken Breast?

Chicken breast is a healthy and nutritious dish, but if you are a vegetarian, you still need to exceed this ingredient from your diet.

So what vegan-friendly items can work as a great substitute for chicken breast? Let’s figure it out in this article.

What is a chicken breast?

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Chicken breast is the leanest cut of chicken that is cut from the pectoral muscle.

Chicken breast is considered white meat chicken, which is low in saturated fat and healthier than its dark meat counterpart.

It is sold on the market in different types, such as bone-in or boneless, skin-on or skinless.

Typically, chicken breast comes without the bones and skin, and the whole breast is divided into two equal halves.

Besides the deliciousness and nutritiousness of chicken breast, another reason that people prefer this cut is its versatility.

Chicken breast can be cooked in numerous ways, including grilling, baking, boiling, and deep-frying.

The resulting dish can be served as the main course with other sides, or as an ingredient in other recipes like tacos, burritos, sandwiches, burgers, or casseroles.

Can you substitute chicken breasts with vegan alternatives in cooking recipes?

Eating a meat-free diet is not only a good thing for your health but also for the environment.

Finding a vegan substitute for chicken breast is not a trick because there are many options for you to choose from.

From plant-based to soy-based ingredients, you can try out different vegan alternatives to experiment with different flavors and textures in your recipe in place of chicken breast.

What vegan substitutes can you use in place of chicken breasts?

Now we know that there are various options of vegan substitutes for chicken breast in any cooking recipe.

But what are they? Let’s take a look at the following suggestions and you can easily pick your favorite one: 

1. Seitan

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Seitan has always been a good vegan substitute for meat.

This product is available in most grocery stores or supermarkets throughout the country, so you can easily buy some to create a flavorful dish without any meat ingredients.

However, if you are looking for a gluten-free option, it is not ideal because seitan is typically made from vital gluten from wheat.

Seitan has a neutral flavor that can easily soak up flavors from spices and other ingredients it is cooked with.

It also has a lean meaty texture that can mimic chicken breast.

2. Tofu

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If you are on a tight budget, tofu will be a good choice to substitute for chicken breast.

It is mainly made from soybeans, so tofu will taste like soy.

However, you can season the tofu with whatever you like because it easily absorbs flavors from the spices.

Soft tofu can alternate with pulled or ground chicken breast because its soft texture can be broken down during cooking.

On the other hand, use fried tofu or firm tofu in place of the whole cut of chicken breast.

3. Beans and sprouts

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Beans and sprouts can also be a great choice if you want to look for a vegan substitute for chicken breast.

These plant-based ingredients are a rich source of protein so you won’t have to worry about feeling hungry quickly after eating them.

Beans are ideal for baking or stewing, while sprouts can be quickly cooked in stir-frying recipes, or you can even eat them raw in salads.

Beans and sprouts are meant to replace the chicken breast protein rather than replicating the texture, flavor, or appearance of a real breast cut.

If you want to mimic your old-fashioned chicken breast dish, you better blend them well and form a patty or breast-like shape.

4. Potatoes

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Potatoes are also one of the staples in a vegan diet from anywhere in the world.

This starchy vegetable is very versatile and can be cooked in numerous ways, from baking, roasting, simmering to deep-frying or stewing.

Potatoes are an excellent source of vegan protein that can fill up your stomach.

They have a mildly sweet flavor that absorbs spices amazingly.

5. Nuts

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Another choice to substitute your chicken breast with a vegan ingredient is nuts.

There are different kinds of nuts with various flavors, but one thing in common between them is that nuts are packed with a rich source of protein, healthy fatty acids, vitamins, and many other essential nutrients.

Cashews, almonds, and peanuts are some of the most common types of nuts available on the market.

They seem to be a bit pricier compared to other vegan-friendly options or even meat, but it is worth the price.

Nuts are typically eaten raw in salad recipes.

Despite the crunchy texture in the first bite, you can feel how rich they are when chewing nuts.

The bottom line

With our aforementioned ideas to substitute for chicken breast, you will never have to worry about missing out on this lean cut in your diet anymore.

From plant-based and soy-based products, there is a lot to offer with different textures and flavors.

We hope this article has helped you find new ways to include these vegan chicken breast substitutes into your meal without sacrificing taste and your health.

Happy cooking!