🍽️ Vegan Seitan “Chicken” Cutlets
🐔 100% not chicken – but tastes like it!
Serves: 4 cutlets
⏲ Prep Time: 20 min | Simmer Time: 30–40 min
🧄 Ingredients:
🌾 Dry:
1 cup vital wheat gluten
1/4 cup chickpea flour (or all-purpose flour)
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
🧪 Wet:
3/4 cup vegetable broth (low sodium)
1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp mustard (optional, adds tang)
🍲 For simmering broth:
4 cups vegetable broth
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
👩🍳 Instructions:
- Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
Vital wheat gluten
Chickpea flour
Nutritional yeast
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Smoked paprika
Salt
- Add wet ingredients
In a separate bowl or measuring cup, mix the vegetable broth, soy sauce, olive oil, vinegar, and mustard.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture.
Stir until a dough forms, then knead for 1–2 minutes to develop the gluten (don’t over-knead or it’ll get too rubbery).
- Shape the cutlets
Divide dough into 4 equal pieces.
Flatten each piece into a cutlet shape (about 1/2 inch thick). They’ll expand slightly during cooking.
- Simmer the cutlets
Bring your simmering broth to a gentle simmer in a wide pot (don’t let it boil – boiling can make them spongey).
Add cutlets, cover slightly, and simmer for 30–40 minutes, flipping halfway.
Once done, remove from broth and let cool. They’ll firm up as they cool.
🔥 Optional: Sear, grill, or bread them!
Pan-seared version:
Heat oil in a pan.
Sear cutlets for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden.
Breaded “chicken” cutlets:
Dip cutlets in a mix of plant milk + mustard or vegan mayo.
Coat in seasoned breadcrumbs (add paprika, garlic powder, etc.).
Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 min or bake for 20 min, flipping halfway.
🍴 Serving ideas:
Serve with mashed potatoes and vegan gravy
Slice and toss into pasta, salads, or wraps
Make a vegan chicken parm with marinara and vegan cheese
Use in sandwiches or cut into strips for tenders
