Vegan Chicken and Dumplings
Discover how to make vegan chicken and dumplings, a comforting and easy plant-based recipe perfect for cozy dinners and family meals.
Ingredients
For the Vegan Chicken and Broth:
- 1 ½ cups vegan chicken substitute tofu, seitan, jackfruit, or store-bought vegan chicken strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil for sautéing
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 medium carrots sliced
- 2 celery stalks chopped
- 4 cups vegetable broth or vegan chicken broth
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup frozen peas
For the Dumplings:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour for a GF option
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsweetened plant-based milk e.g., almond, soy, or oat milk
- 2 tablespoons vegan butter chilled and cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Sauté the vegetables: Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and chopped celery, stirring occasionally. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
Cook the Vegan Chicken Substitute:
- Add your chosen vegan chicken (tofu, seitan, or jackfruit) to the pot. Saut for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Allow it to cook gently for approximately 10 minutes to enhance the flavors.
Make the Dumpling Dough:
- In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt by whisking them together. Add the chilled vegan butter and mix until crumbly. Stir in the plant-based milk until a dough forms. Do not overmix.
- Scoop spoonfuls of dough and carefully drop them into the simmering broth. Place a lid on the pot and allow the dumplings to steam for 10-12 minutes.
- Avoid lifting the lid to ensure the dumplings puff up properly.
- Add the frozen peas in the final 2-3 minutes of cooking. Taste the broth and tweak the seasoning as necessary. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and consume within 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat the stove over low heat to maintain the dumplings texture.
- Freezing: Freeze the broth and dumplings separately to prevent sogginess. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Customization: Feel free to add extra veggies like mushrooms, green beans, or corn for more variety.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the dumplings and ensure the vegan chicken substitute is gluten-free.