Homemade Vegan Grilled Chicken Bites
These Vegan Grilled Chicken Bites are quick, kid-friendly, and incredibly versatile. They soak up sauces and spices beautifully, making them a perfect chicken substitute in just about any recipe.
What makes these a great chicken substitute?
These Vegan Grilled Chicken Bites are lightly seasoned, which means they’re easy to adapt to just about any dish. Their flavor and texture are similar to grilled chicken- they’re soft, moist, and easy to flavor however you’d like. They’re also a complete protein and made without seitan, making them a fantastic gluten-free chicken alternative.
Homemade vs. Store Bought Chicken Substitutes
I’ll always choose homemade when I can. No preservatives, full control over ingredients, and better flavor- as well as being gluten-free.
How to Use Vegan Grilled Chicken Bites
You can use these anywhere you’d use smaller pieces of grilled chicken. They have a mild flavor profile and hold sauces well, making them endlessly customizable. They’re perfect in:
-bowls
-soups
-wraps
-stir-fries
-pizza
-or as a main course with your favorite sauce
They last for 5 days in an airtight container in the fridge, so they’re great for meal prep too.
Here are a few of my favorite recipes that use them:
Ingredients Needed to Make Vegan Grilled Chicken Bites
Soy Curls
You’ll need one bag of soy curls- I use Butler Foods. They’re delicious and you can order them in bulk and store them in your pantry so you have them on hand when you need them.
Vegan Chicken Broth
You’ll need about 3 cups of vegan chicken broth to soak your soy curls in to rehydrate them. I really like Better Than Bullions “No Chicken Chicken Broth”. You can also rehydrate them in warm water, but the broth will give them a little more flavor.
Olive Oil
You’ll need about 1/4 of a cup of extra virgin olive oil.
Nutritional Yeast
You’ll need 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. This will help give it a chicken-y flavor while also adding some extra nutrients.
Thyme
You’ll need 2 teaspoons of thyme.
Miso Paste
You’ll need 1 tablespoon of miso paste. This will help give it that savory chicken flavor.
Garlic Powder
You’ll need 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
Salt and Pepper
How to Make Vegan Grilled Chicken Bites
You’ll want to start by rehydrating your soy curls. To do this, put the bag of soy curls into a large bowl, then cover with 3 cups of vegan chicken broth and allow to sit for about 15 minutes. After the 15 minutes is over, drain out the remaining broth using a strainer, then put the soy curls back into your bowl.
Next, add your olive oil, nutritional yeast, miso paste, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix. Let that sit for a couple of minutes while you begin pre-heating a large pan over medium heat.
Once your pan is pre-heated, toss your soy curls in and cook until they’re your desired doneness. I like letting mine start to char a tiny bit on pieces.
If you like these try:
- Simple Homemade Vegan Pepperoni – A Kid‑Approved Recipe
- Homemade Vegan Steak Bites (Gluten-free, High-protein)
FAQ
What are vegan grilled chicken bites made of?
These bites are typically made from textured vegetable protein (TVP), tofu, vital wheat gluten, or soy curls — all great plant-based protein sources. My version uses soy curls, seasoned and grilled for a juicy, chicken-like texture.
Are these gluten-free?
Yes! These bites are naturally gluten-free and made without seitan, so they’re safe for gluten-sensitive eaters and perfect for sharing with family.
Can I bake or air-fry them instead of grilling?
Absolutely. You can bake them at 400°F until golden and slightly crispy, or air-fry them for a faster, crispier finish. Just keep an eye on them so they don’t dry out — they’re best when juicy!
How long do they last in the fridge?
They’ll keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container, and reheat beautifully in a skillet or the microwave. They’re also really good cold in a chicken salad. Perfect for meal prep!
What dishes can I use them in?
Soups
Grain bowls
Stir-fries
Pasta dishes
Wraps and sandwiches
Pizza
or just by themselves with your favorite sauce!
Vegan Grilled Chicken Bites
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rehydrate your soy curls. Place your soy curls in a bowl with 3 cups of vegan chicken broth, and let sit for 15 minutes.1 bag Soy Curls, 3 cups Vegan Chicken Broth
- Next, add your olive oil, nutritional yeast, miso paste, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix.1/4 cup Olive Oil, 2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast, 2 tsp Thyme, 1 tbsp Miso Paste, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, Salt and Pepper
- Pre-heat a large pan over medium heat.
- Cook soy curls until desired doneness. I like to char mine a little in places.
- Use instead of chicken in your favorite meal, or just serve with your favorite sauce.
