5-Ingredient Vegan “Chicken” Salad Recipe

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This 5-ingredient plant-based chicken salad recipe is so good, you won't miss the meat!

Whether you eat a plant-based diet all the time or you’re taking the 30-Day Plant-Based Challenge, you may find yourself missing some of your favorite foods. We know how hard it is to give up meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, and dairy. So start by giving yourself a pat on the back for making it as far as you have! When the cravings hit, it’s always important to find plant-based alternatives to your favorite foods. That’s why we love this 5-Ingredient Vegan Chicken Salad Recipe!

We have so many great plant-based recipes on the site that use chickpeas, lentils, and mushrooms to create excellent vegan alternatives to eating meat. That said, there is a whole wide world of vegan products available at the grocery store, too. We wanted to know how good they were, so we picked up some plant-based chicken and gave it a try. As it turns out, this chicken salad is so tasty, we honestly didn’t miss the meat at all!

Vegan Mayo

5-Ingredient Vegan "Chicken" Salad Recipe

A big part of chicken salad is the mayonnaise, right? It not only holds the salad together, but it can contribute a serious amount of flavor when you use a good-quality mayo. There are more than a few vegan products available, and Best Foods Vegan Mayonnaise tastes almost exactly like the real deal. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s another option: Try to make your own at home!

Our Plant-Based Avocado Mayonnaise is one of my favorite recipes on the site. It uses avocados to create a creamy texture. Then, you add olive oil to boost up the richness and lemon juice to add the perfect amount of tang. Even your non-vegan friends will think it tastes delicious!

Plant-Based Chicken Options

5-Ingredient Vegan Chicken Salad Recipe

When it comes to buying plant-based chicken, you have a few choices. At my local grocery store, there are a ton of options if I’m looking for breaded “chicken” nuggets or tenders. These products have a crunchy texture that makes them ideal for power bowls or salads, but I wanted something closer to a grilled piece of chicken for this 5-Ingredient Vegan Chicken Salad Recipe.

Tofurky makes a great slow-roasted “chicken,” and the original recipe is perfect for dishes like this. It keeps things simple and really allows the flavor of the pecans, onions, and chopped apples to shine. They also have other flavors (like barbecue and Thai basil), which would add a different spin to this plant-based chicken salad.

Take a look at your grocery store to see which brands are available. You can usually find them in the frozen section, although sometimes they’re in a specialty refrigerated case. I’ve had great success asking my friends for recommendations or the clerks at my local natural food stores.

What’s your favorite brand of plant-based chicken? Do you prefer breaded “nuggets” or the roasted varieties? We always love learning about products that our readers know and trust, so leave us a note in the comments.

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5-Ingredient Vegan "Chicken" Salad Recipe

This delicious, nutritious, and vegan "chicken" salad recipe is a fantastic choice for lunch.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Yield 6 people
Serving Size 0.5 cup
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups plant-based chicken cooked and diced
  • 1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup pecans diced or halved
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 1 cup apples chopped

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 237kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 188mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g |
SmartPoints (Freestyle): 6
Keywords Budget-Friendly, dairy-free, Diabetic-Friendly, Gluten-Free, Keto, Low-Carb, Quick and Easy, Vegan

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Gale Compton

Gale co-founded SkinnyMs. with a goal to provide women with delicious recipes, fitness routines, and ways to reach their ideal weight. Gale has been featured on the Today Show in which she won a cook off for the best Lasagna. Be sure to search for her winning recipe, Skinny Lasagna Rolls.

Guided by her firm belief in healthy eating and the power of exercise, Gale has written two cookbooks and several fitness ebooks. She earned her Fitness Training Certification from, National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association. Gale loves to run with her dog Maggie and has completed numerous half-marathons.

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