The Ultimate Vegan Chicken Salad Recipe: Fresh, Flavorful, and Easy!
Say goodbye to boring vegan lunches and hello to this healthy, delicious, and incredibly satisfying vegan chicken salad recipe with grapes and walnuts! It’s a game-changer for plant-based meal prep and a delightful alternative to traditional meatless options.
We’ve recently fallen in love with making this amazing vegan chicken salad for our daily lunches, and it’s simply too good not to share with you! While I adore my chickpea salad sandwiches for their simplicity and texture, sometimes it’s refreshing to switch things up. That’s where a fantastic vegan chicken salad comes in, especially when made with high-quality vegan chicken strips.
For this recipe, we highly recommend using a good brand of refrigerated vegan chicken strips. Our personal favorite is the Tofurky brand – they’re already cold, not frozen, which means minimal prep work for you. Just chop them into smaller, bite-sized pieces, and you’re ready to create a masterpiece. This dish takes only a few minutes to assemble, offering a wonderful departure from the usual plant-based lunch rotations. Let’s be honest, we can only eat so many hummus wraps or peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before craving something new and exciting, right?
Why This Vegan Chicken Salad Is a Must-Try
This isn’t just another vegan recipe; it’s a culinary experience that will surprise and delight even the most skeptical palates. Here’s why this vegan chicken salad stands out:
- Effortlessly Delicious: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up a batch in under 10 minutes. It’s the ultimate quick and easy lunch solution.
- Uniquely Flavorful: The combination of savory vegan chicken, sweet grapes, crunchy walnuts, and tangy pickles creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is truly addictive.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with plant-based protein, healthy fats from walnuts, and essential nutrients, this salad is as good for you as it tastes. It’s a perfect choice for those seeking a nutritious and satisfying meal.
- Versatile & Customizable: Enjoy it in a sandwich, wrap, on crackers, or in lettuce cups. You can also easily adjust ingredients to suit your preferences.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This salad holds up beautifully in the fridge, making it an ideal candidate for weekly meal planning. Prepare a big batch and have healthy lunches ready to go!
Ingredients to Make the Best Vegan Chicken Salad
Crafting this incredible meatless chicken salad requires just 6 core ingredients, plus a few pantry staples you likely already have on hand. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture.
- Vegan Chicken Strips: The star of the show. We recommend using a quality refrigerated brand that’s already seasoned for best results. Tofurky lightly seasoned strips are a fantastic choice for their texture and pre-seasoned flavor, eliminating extra fuss.
- Grapes: Don’t skip these! They add a delightful burst of sweetness, freshness, and a juicy pop of texture that elevates the entire dish. This might sound unconventional, but trust us, it’s a game-changer.
- Walnuts: These provide a wonderful crunch and a rich, earthy flavor that complements the other ingredients beautifully. Pecans are also an excellent alternative if you prefer them.
- Pickles: Diced bread and butter pickles (or dill pickles if you prefer a less sweet tang) bring a crucial acidic and tangy counterpoint, cutting through the richness of the mayo and adding another layer of texture.
- Vegan Mayo: The creamy binder that brings everything together. Choose your favorite brand for a smooth and luscious base.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens all the flavors, adding a zesty zing that makes the salad sing.
- Garlic Powder: A hint of garlic powder adds a subtle warmth and depth of savory flavor without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste, ensuring all the flavors are perfectly balanced.
This vegetarian chicken salad truly comes together in mere minutes. It’s so incredibly easy and the taste is absolutely delicious! As someone who wasn’t particularly keen on traditional chicken salad even as a meat-eater, and often approaches “fake meats” with caution, I was genuinely surprised by how much I loved this. I found myself unable to stop eating it!
It’s wonderful to revisit and enjoy some of those beloved comfort food flavors from childhood, but in a compassionate, plant-based form. Another one of my favorite ways to enjoy meatless chicken is in my vegetarian pot pie recipe. This salad, however, offers a completely different, fresh, and uniquely flavorful experience thanks to the vibrant addition of grapes and walnuts. I devoured my portion with Triscuit-style crackers and honestly couldn’t get enough. This recipe has become a welcome addition to my lunch rotation, especially since working from home can sometimes lead to a “lunch rut.” It’s also an excellent way to get a good amount of protein into my midday meal!
How to Make Vegan Chicken Salad: A Simple Guide
Preparing this plant-based chicken salad is incredibly straightforward. It’s a testament to how simple yet profoundly satisfying vegan cooking can be. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have a fantastic meal ready in no time:
- Prepare Your “Chicken”: Start by taking your refrigerated vegan chicken strips and chopping them into small, consistent pieces. Aim for a size that’s easy to eat and integrates well with the other ingredients. If your strips are frozen, make sure to thaw them first according to package directions.
- Chop the Fresh Components: Next, prepare your grapes, walnuts, and pickles. Quarter the grapes for a better texture and distribution of sweetness. Finely dice your pickles to ensure their tangy flavor is present in every bite. Lightly chop your walnuts, leaving some larger pieces for added crunch.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the chopped vegan chicken, grapes, walnuts, and pickles. Then, add the vegan mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and garlic powder.
- Mix Thoroughly: Using a spoon or spatula, gently stir all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and coated evenly with the creamy dressing. Ensure that the “chicken” pieces, grapes, and walnuts are all incorporated throughout the mixture.
- Season to Taste: This is a crucial step! Taste a small spoonful of your freshly mixed salad. Now, add salt and pepper to your preference. It’s important to note that the amount of salt and pepper needed will vary depending on the vegan chicken strips you choose. For instance, if you use a lightly seasoned brand like Tofurky, you might need very little or no additional salt. If you opt for unsalted strips, you’ll definitely want to add salt to prevent the salad from tasting bland. Adjust until it hits that perfect savory-sweet-tangy balance.
I am already planning to make a big batch of this for my own lunches next week! Its versatility is one of its strongest suits. It would be absolutely delicious packed into a soft wrap, providing a satisfying and portable meal. Alternatively, serving it on your favorite sandwich bread makes for a classic, comforting lunch. If you’re like me and appreciate a good crunch and varied textures in your food, then pairing this salad with crispy Triscuit-style crackers is an absolute must. So. Good.
The Grape Debate: A Sweet Revelation
If you’ve never tried adding grapes to “chicken” salad, please, I implore you – give it a chance with this recipe! I used to be a firm believer that fruit in a savory salad was simply “gross.” However, after tasting this particular recipe, I have been completely converted. The grapes are not just an add-in; they are an integral part of this salad’s magic. They introduce a layer of freshness, a lovely pop of crisp texture, and a subtly sweet flavor that balances the richness of the mayo and the tang of the pickles. They are, without a doubt, a critically important element that transforms this from a good vegan salad to an outstanding one.
Serving Suggestions and Customization Ideas
This vegan chicken salad has quickly become a new lunchtime favorite in our household, and its versatility is a huge part of its appeal. Here are some fantastic ways to enjoy it and ideas for customizing it to your liking:
- Classic Sandwich: Pile it high between two slices of your favorite bread, maybe with a leaf of lettuce or a slice of tomato.
- Quick Wraps: Spoon the salad into a large tortilla or flatbread for an easy, portable meal. Add some spinach or shredded carrots for extra veggies.
- Lettuce Cups: For a low-carb and extra fresh option, serve generous scoops of the salad in crisp lettuce leaves (like butter lettuce or romaine hearts).
- With Crackers: As mentioned, Triscuit-style crackers are excellent for scooping, but any sturdy cracker works beautifully.
- On a Salad Bed: Serve a dollop on a bed of mixed greens with a light vinaigrette for a complete meal.
- Meal Prep Perfection: Divide into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches throughout the week. It stays fresh and delicious for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Make It Your Own: Variations & Add-ins
While the recipe is perfect as is, don’t hesitate to get creative with additional ingredients:
- Veggies: Finely diced celery adds an extra layer of crunch, while shredded carrots or finely chopped red onion can introduce more flavor and color.
- Herbs: Fresh dill, chives, or parsley can brighten the profile significantly.
- Spices: A pinch of curry powder can transform this into a flavorful “curry chicken” salad. Smoked paprika or a dash of black salt (kala namak) for an “eggy” flavor can also be interesting.
- Nuts/Seeds: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or even sunflower seeds for a different texture.
- Sweetness: If you love a sweeter profile, consider adding a few dried cranberries or chopped apples for an extra fruity kick.
Storage and Longevity
One of the best features of this vegan chicken salad is how well it stores. Prepared and stored correctly, it makes an excellent option for meal prepping throughout the week. Simply transfer any leftover salad into an airtight container and refrigerate. It will maintain its delicious flavor and texture for up to 3 to 4 days. This makes it incredibly convenient for packing lunches ahead of time, ensuring you always have a healthy and satisfying meal at your fingertips.
This is truly a new lunch-time favorite in our house, offering a fresh, satisfying, and easy meal option that everyone enjoys. For more easy and delicious vegetarian meal ideas, be sure to check out our 25 Best Vegetarian Recipes. They’re packed with inspiration for every meal of the day!
Are you making this incredible recipe? We’d love to see your creations! Be sure to tag me on Instagram @buildyourbite and use the hashtag #buildyourbite so we can share your culinary success!
Looking for even more easy and healthy vegetarian lunches? Don’t forget to try our healthy vegan “egg” salad made with tofu, and these vibrant flavorful tofu wraps! They are perfect for quick meals that don’t compromise on taste or nutrition.
Did you make this delicious vegan chicken salad recipe? Don’t forget to leave a star rating below and tell us what you thought!
Vegan Chicken Salad
Joy Shull
10 minutes
10 minutes
4 servings
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Ingredients
- 8 oz refrigerated vegan chicken strips, chopped into small pieces (see notes)
- 1/2 cup grapes, quartered
- 1/3 cup walnut pieces
- 1/8 cup bread and butter pickles, diced
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Add all ingredients except salt and pepper to a bowl and stir to combine.
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Salt and pepper to taste, if necessary.
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Serve on bread, a wrap, or with crackers.
Notes
- I used Tofurky lightly seasoned chicken strips for this recipe.
- For best flavor, allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 19g,
Protein: 12g,
Fat: 22g,
Saturated Fat: 3g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 17g,
Cholesterol: 26mg,
Sodium: 599mg,
Fiber: 1g,
Sugar: 5g
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