Ultimate Vegan Chicken Seitan Recipe
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This is one of the best chicken seitan recipes ever! Its meaty texture is perfect for stir fries, fajitas, pot pie, sandwiches, and more. Made with vital wheat gluten flour, nutritional yeast, and seasonings, this vegan seitan recipe is a fantastic chicken substitute that’s both high in protein and incredibly versatile.
Keep reading, and I’ll show you how to make your own vegan seitan chicken!
When I weighed nearly 300 pounds, I thought eating skinless, boneless chicken was healthy. You have to get your protein, right? Now that I enjoy a plant-based diet and know better, I’ve replaced chicken with seitan and I think this is one of the best chicken seitan recipes ever!
Before I show you how to make this chicken seitan recipe, please take a quick second to subscribe to the Intentionally Eat newsletter. It contains tips and recipes to help you live your healthiest life, plus you’ll get a free acid/alkaline chart to show you which foods you should eat for optimum health.
What is Seitan?
Seitan, also known as wheat meat, is a high-protein, meat-like alternative made from vital wheat gluten. It’s been used for centuries as a plant-based protein, especially by Buddhist monks.
With its chewy texture and ability to absorb flavors, seitan is perfect for creating fake chicken and using in place of real chicken. Whether you’re new to seitan or a seasoned pro, it’s a fantastic option for making hearty, satisfying vegan meals!
Why This is One of the Best Chicken Seitan Recipes
- Easy to make: This simple recipe is easy to make and doesn’t require a food processor.
- High in protein: Thanks to vital wheat gluten flour, this is a protein-packed meat substitute.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice levels to suit your taste or try different cooking methods, such as steaming, baking, or using an Instant Pot.
Ingredients
For the best chicken seitan, you’ll need:
Dry Mix:
- Vital wheat gluten
- Nutritional yeast
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Seasoning for Mixed Vegetables
- Salt
- Black Pepper
Wet Mix:
- Vegetable broth or water
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice (optional for brightness)
Simmering Broth:
- Vegetable broth or water
- Soy sauce or tamari
- Garlic cloves
- Bay leaf
- Black Pepper or peppercorns
* See the recipe card below for a detailed list of ingredients and measurements.
This homemade chicken alternative is perfect in:
These Sheet Pan Dinners as a chicken substitute.
This Copycat Panera Salad – simply place small pieces of seitan on top of your salads to add delicious protein.
How to make Vegan Seitan Chicken
RECIPE RUNDOWN
- Step 1 – Prepare the seitan dough
- Step 2 – Cook the seitan
- Step 3 – Optional – second cook for a different texture
- Step 4 – Slice or shred and enjoy!
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1 – Prepare the seitan dough
Dry ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk together the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, mixed vegetable seasoning, salt, and black pepper. You can find a bag of vital wheat gluten in the health food section of your grocery store or here.
wet ingredients
- In a separate bowl, mix the water (or broth), soy sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice if using.
mix
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix, stirring until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes elastic. Shape the dough into a loaf. It’s a good idea to let it rest for 5 minutes. Wrap the seitan dough in parchment paper and then aluminum foil.
Step 2 – Cook Seitan
- Steaming Method: In a large pot, combine the vegetable broth, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Place the wrapped dough ball in a steamer basket over broth. Cover with lid and bring the mixture to a simmer (do not boil, as this can make the seitan spongy). Steam for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Instant Pot Method: Find the Instant Pot Seitan recipe here.
Step 3 – Optional Second Cook
- For a firmer, chewy texture, lightly brush the already steamed seitan pieces with a little extra soy sauce or a bit of oil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10 minutes or until golden brown, or grill them for a smoky finish.
Step 4 – Slice or Shred and enjoy!
- Let the seitan cool completely before slicing or shredding. Use it in your favorite recipes in place of chicken—toss it into a stir-fry or vegan gyros, pile it on a sandwich with fresh veggies, or serve it atop a salad or your favorite casserole. It’s a tremendous protein-packed alternative to chicken that absorbs flavors beautifully!
Tips for the Best Vegan Chicken Recipe
- For a pull-apart texture, knead less and let the seitan hold its shape naturally. This is why I prefer to knead by hand rather than using a stand mixer with a dough hook; however, you can do it if you prefer.
- Try different ways of cooking: steaming gives the best meaty texture, the Instant Pot adds moisture, and the air fryer adds crispiness.
- For a second cooking, sauté or bake your seitan pieces with your favorite seasonings.
- For a complete protein (vital wheat gluten lacks lysine, an essential amino acid) you can add canned or cooked from dry white beans like cannellini beans or butter beans. I suggest the following substitutions:
Increasing to 2 cups vital wheat gluten flour
Add 1 cup white beans (cannellini or butter beans)
Changing to 3/4 cup of water or vegetable broth
This seitan chicken recipe is the perfect vegan chicken alternative. Try it and share your favorite way to enjoy it!
Serving Suggestions
You can serve this seitan instead of chicken in your favorite recipes. Here are a few ways I enjoy it:
- Roasted Mini Potatoes – I love serving it with these mini potatoes tossed in garlic and herbs.
- Mandarin Salad—It’s great on top of this crisp, refreshing salad, which has an Asian-inspired vinaigrette bursting with ginger and soy sauce flavors.
- Baked Potato – It’s a simple and delicious meal with a potato or a sweet potato.
FAQs About Seitan
Can you freeze seitan?
Yes, you can freeze seitan! Whether it’s raw seitan dough or fully cooked wheat meat, freezing helps extend its shelf life. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. For best results, freeze chick’n pieces in a single layer before transferring them to a bag. When you’re ready to use it, thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat straight from frozen in a pan, oven, or air fryer!
Is Seitan Low Carb
Seitan is relatively low in carbs compared to other plant-based proteins like beans or lentils. Since it’s made primarily from vital wheat gluten, it has about 4-6 grams of carbs per serving, with most of its calories coming from protein.
However, some seitan recipes include chickpea flour or white beans, which can slightly increase the carb count. If you’re on a strict low-carb diet, check the ingredients and opt for pure wheat meat like this recipe without added flours or starches.
How To Store Seitan
To store seitan properly and keep it fresh, follow these steps:
Refrigerating Seitan (Short-Term Storage)
- Place seitan in an airtight container or a sealed bag.
- Cover it with broth or water to keep it from drying out (optional, but helps with texture).
- Store in the fridge for up to 5–7 days.
Freezing Seitan (Long-Term Storage)
- To use: Thaw in the fridge overnight or in warm water before reheating.
- Drain well and pat dry to remove excess moisture.
- Wrap in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
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Ultimate Chicken Seitan Recipe
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten flour
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp mixed vegetable seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt or salt substitute
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup water or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
Optional
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
Simmering Broth
- 6 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce or tamari
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 tsp black pepper or peppercorns
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the water (or broth), soy sauce, olive oil, and lemon juice if using. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mix, stirring until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 2-3 minutes until it becomes elastic.
- Shape and Wrap: Shape the dough into a loaf and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Then wrap the seitan dough in parchment paper and then aluminum foil.
- Steam: In a large pot, combine the vegetable broth, soy sauce, garlic, bay leaf, and peppercorns. Place the wrapped dough ball in a steamer basket over broth. Cover with lid and bring the mixture to a simmer (do not boil, as this can make the seitan spongy). Steam for 45 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve: Let the seitan cool completely before slicing or shredding. Use in your favorite recipes as a substitute for chicken.
Notes
Tips for Making the Ultimate Chicken Seitan
- For a pull-apart texture, knead less and let the seitan hold its shape naturally. I prefer kneading by hand, but a stand mixer works too.
- Try different cooking methods: this Instant Pot method adds moisture, and the air fryer makes it crispy.
- For the second cook, sauté or bake your seitan pieces with seasonings.
- To make it a complete protein, add 1 cup white beans (cannellini or butter beans) and adjust to 2 cups vital wheat gluten with 3/4 cup water or broth.
How to Store Seitan
To store seitan properly and keep it fresh, follow these steps:Refrigerating Seitan (Short-Term Storage)
Place seitan in an airtight container or a sealed bag. To prevent it from drying out, you can cover it with broth or water (optional but helps with texture). Stored in the fridge, it will stay fresh for up to 5–7 days.Freezing Seitan (Long-Term Storage)
For longer storage, drain and pat dry the seitan to remove excess moisture. Wrap it in plastic wrap or parchment paper, then place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.Thawing & Reheating
To use frozen seitan, thaw it in the fridge overnight or place it in warm water. Reheat by steaming, sautéing, or baking to restore its texture.Serving Suggestions
You can serve this seitan instead of chicken in your favorite recipes. Here are a few ways I enjoy it:-
- Mandarin Salad—It’s great on top of this crisp, refreshing salad with an Asian-inspired vinaigrette bursting with ginger and soy sauce flavors.
- Baked Potato – It’s a simple and delicious meal with a potato or a sweet potato.
- Roasted Mini Potatoes – I love serving it with these mini potatoes tossed in garlic and herbs.
Nutrition
Before I say goodbye, I encourage you to take a moment to find out how I went from obese to 125-pound lighter -and how you can reach your goals, too!
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About The Author
Although Cindy has lost 125 pounds, her path to success was not easy. Go here to read her incredible story, “From Morbidly Obese to Losing 125 Pounds and Becoming a Health Coach.” If you want to send Cindy a quick message, visit her contact page here.
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I hope you enjoyed this recipe for vegan chicken seitan and found it delicious!
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not a medical professional. The information provided on this blog is based on my personal experiences and research as a vegan recipe enthusiast. While I strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any significant changes to your diet, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or concerns. The recipes and tips shared on this blog are meant for general informational purposes and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. Always prioritize your health and well-being by seeking personalized guidance from a qualified healthcare provider.
