Seitan is a vegan meat substitute made using vital wheat gluten. It is sometimes referred to as “wheat meat”

What is vital wheat gluten?

Vital Wheat Gluten is made from wheat. It is made by washing the wheat flour with water until all the starch has been removed. And you are then left with the gluten which must be cooked before eaten.

Can it be made gluten free?

No unfortunately not, wheat gluten is what gives this 'chicken' its meat texture and holds it together. For gluten free vegan meat options check out vegan meatballs or meatloaf recipe

Vegan Chicken (Seitan)

Description

Vegan 'Chicken'! My vegetarian meatless alternative to real chicken, juicy, meaty, chewy full flavoured seitan, it's super easy to make! Perfect for frying, grilling or to replace chicken in any dish! Nut free.

Ingredients

Scale

For chicken seitan:

1 400 g package extra firm tofu
1 tablespoon better than bouillon vegetarian no chicken soup base
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 and 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 and 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten

For marinade (optional):

2 tablespoons oil, I use grapeseed oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar, lightly packed
1 tablespoon better than bouillon vegetarian no chicken soup base
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

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Instructions

Drain tofu and wrap in a few layers of paper bowl squeeze out extra moisture with your hands. Break into chunks and add to food processor with rest of ingredients EXCEPT GLUTEN and process until smooth like a puree, scraping down sides with spatula a few times if needed.
Pour the puree into a large mixing bowl, scraping out as much as possible with a spatula. Add in the vital wheat gluten. Mix by hand until just combined (it won't stick to your hands) don’t over mix
Turn the seitan dough onto the counter. Do not kneed the dough! Press into a disc approximately 8-9 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. Portion the chicken like you would a pie, into 6 pieces. With fingers shape into chicken breast shapes if you like. Wrap pieces individually in aluminum foil, leave a little room for expansion during steaming.
To cook the raw seitan: Place in steamer basket (pot) with lid and steam for 30 minutes over medium heat (water should be boiling), flipping them halfway through.
While the chicken is steaming make the marinade (optional): Add all the ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk together until sugar is dissolved. Set aside
When chicken pieces are done, remove from tin foil packets and place in a shallow dish like a glass pie plate or a large freezer bag. Pour the marinade evenly over the chicken. Cool to room temperature. Cover and marinade in fridge for a minimum of one hour or longer. I usually leave mine for 3-6 hours for better flavour and texture or overnight if I have time. (Whether in marinade or not they need to firm up in fridge for best texture)
Marinade: The marinade is optional, as soon as they are steamed they are ‘cooked’ and you can treat them like raw or cooked chicken in any dish except they only need a few minutes of frying/grilling on both sides to essentially add more flavour and heat through. Whether you use this marinade or make your own I recommend basting the chicken with the marinade while cooking, adds juiciness.
Enjoy in place of chicken in any dish! For step by step photos, Tips, FAQ see above post

Notes

To store and freeze: will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days and freezes well with or without the marinade (steamed first)
the nutritional chart does not include marinade ingredients
I have not tested this recipe in the instant pot

Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Category: Mains
Method: food processor, steamer
Cuisine: American, Canadian

Keywords: vegan chicken, seitan,