Get iconic chicken salad flavors without the chicken with this vegan chicken salad recipe!
Growing up, my favorite snack was a chicken salad sandwich. I love the combination of celery, mayonnaise, and chicken, pressed between two pieces of white bread – just thinking about it makes my mouth water! However, after embracing a plant-based diet and shunning chicken altogether, I haven’t had the opportunity to enjoy the nostalgic flavors of my childhood lunch bag. Until now, that is. I recently discovered this chicken salad recipe, only without the chicken. Impossible, you say? Taste for yourself how this spring salad recipe fulfills its vegan promise while packing in incredible flavor and texture.
Vegan Chicken Spring Salad Recipe
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the “chicken”
- 1 ½ cups firm tofu
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the salad
- 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
- ½ cup white cabbage, shredded
- 2 tablespoons tarragon, chopped
- 1 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 1 apple, chopped
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 2 scallions, finely chopped
- Dash of cayenne
- ½ cup Vegenaise ( or any egg-free mayonnaise)
Directions
Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Slice into ½-inch thick slabs and blot each slab with paper towels. Brush the slabs with oil and grill or fry in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook each side for about two-five minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Remove the pieces from the grill or pan and chop into cubes. Place into a large bowl.
Into the bowl, add all of the salad ingredients, except for the mayonnaise. Stir until evenly combined. Fold in the Vegenaise until well distributed. Transfer the mixture to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour, or overnight. The flavors marry together much better overnight.
Serve the salad alone, on a bed of greens, between toasted sandwich bread, with pita, or as a dip for crackers. Enjoy!
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Chicken Salad Image from Shuttestock