The classic burger patty was the first breakaway product to really disrupt the meat industry’s status quo. In 2018, the Beyond Burger was outselling beef-based patties in some supermarkets, and, in 2019, the debut of the Impossible Whopper shot Burger King’s sales through the roof as the financially declining chain reported its best quarter in four years.
While vegan beef stole the spotlight in the late 2010s, vegan chicken is the star of the 2020s. From the explosion of store-bought, plant-based chicken nuggets to vegan chicken at fast-food restaurants.
Here are all of the juicy, tender, golden, crispy vegan chicken products you can find at the store and online. But first, what is vegan chicken made of?
What is vegan chicken made of?
As the name implies, there are no real chickens involved in the making of vegan chicken. Instead, brands use several different plant-based ingredients, like soy, pea protein, and even jackfruit to recreate the same taste and texture as the real thing.
Daring
They can come in several different forms, including nuggets, strips, shreds, chunks, popcorn, and more. It’s also possible to make vegan chicken at home, using ingredients like seitan, cauliflower, tofu, or tempeh.
If you’re craving vegan chicken, try following these easy nugget recipes, these popcorn chicken recipes, or make this copycat Chipotle chicken burrito bowl.
Where to buy vegan chicken
If you’re heading out to eat, a few restaurants sell vegan chicken. For example, a number of vegan fast-food chains offer plant-based chicken sandwiches including Veggie Grill, Plant Power Fast Food, HipCityVeg, PLNT Burger, and Monty’s Good Burger.
But the easiest place to grab vegan chicken is at the grocery store.
The best vegan chicken brands
Looking to skip the poultry but keep the flavor? Here are the top vegan chicken brands you’re most likely to find in grocery stores—perfect for everything from sandwiches to stir-fries.
Daring
1 Daring
In recent years, Daring has established itself as one of the prominent players in the vegan chicken category. Its pieces are both high-protein and low-calorie—we’re talking 90 calories per serving and 14 grams of protein for the Original variety. Other options include Lemon & Herb, Teriyaki, Cajun, Breaded, and Buffalo Wings. And for a quick and easy dinner, look for Daring’s entrées such as the Spicy Fajita and Penne Primavera bowls made with the brand’s fan-favorite chicken. Consumers can find these products at Sprouts, Target, Whole Foods, and Kroger, among other retailers.
Find it here
Beyond Meat
2 Beyond Meat
From the brand that revolutionized “bleeding” vegan burgers comes Beyond Chicken. After giving us iconic collaborations with KFC and Panda Express, Beyond Meat is satisfying our cravings with its chicken products. The breaded plant-based tenders were initially available at 400 restaurants, but have since expanded into retail. Today, the brand also boasts nuggets, popcorn chicken, and an unbreaded variety. Vegan chicken for all!
Find it here
Impossible Foods
3Impossible Foods
This vegan food tech giant won’t be left behind. Since perfecting its meaty vegan burgers, Impossible Foods has churned out a bevy of plant-based beef and pork products, as well as vegan chicken. Choose between nuggets, tenders, and patties.
Find it here
Madison Vegan Eats
4 Gardein
In the early-to-mid 2010s, Gardein swept veg fests, leaving vegans and omnivores alike astonished at “how real” its meatless products tasted. While perhaps overshadowed by some of the newer food tech startups, Gardein has remained solid in its widely accessible and vast range of vegan chicken options. Not only does it produce the standard vegan nuggets and filets, but Gardein also sells frozen vegan Chick’n Strips, Chick’n Scallopini, and Chick’n Wings in a variety of flavors from barbecue to buffalo. If you’re craving a specific preparation of chicken, Gardein is likely to have a vegan version of it.
Find it here
Rachely Hernandez
5 Tofurky
The originator of the iconic vegan Thanksgiving roast has massively expanded its product line to include burgers, deli slices, sausages, tempeh, and pieces. The Plant-Based Chick’n line encompasses grilled and seasoned vegan chicken pieces you can find in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Flavors include Lightly Seasoned, Thai Basil, and Butter Chick’n.
Find it here
Field Roast
6 Field Roast
The Fruffalo Wings are no more—well, at least not by name. This vegan meat-and-cheese company rebranded its spicy, wingless frozen chicken appetizer, opting to drop the whimsical name for something more straightforward: Buffalo Wings. While we miss saying “fruffalo,” these wings still deliver the same taste that hooked us from day one.
Find it here
MorningStarFarms
7 MorningStar Farms
This decades-old vegetarian meat company offers a wide range of frozen, vegan-friendly chicken options from patties to nuggets and tenders. The brand even offers Pringles Original Flavored Chik’n Fries.
Find it here
The Baking Fairy
8 Boca
Originally known for its veggie burgers, Boca has branched out to include vegan chicken. Options span from soy-based nuggets to original and spicy vegan chicken burger patties.
Find it here
The Not Company
9The Not Company (NotCo)
This Chile-based company taps into the power of artificial intelligence to replicate the taste and texture of chicken. Now available in the US, NotCo’s vegan chicken products include NotChicken Patties and NotChicken Nuggets.
Find it here
Dr. Praeger’s
10Dr. Praeger’s
Not all Dr. Praeger’s products are vegan, but it does offer some options, including Chick’n. Choose from Plant-Based Nashville Hot Chick’n or Plant-Based General Tso’s Chick’n.
Find it here
The Vegan Taste Tester
11 Trader Joe’s
This tiki-themed grocer tends to abide by the philosophy of “why have others do it for you if you could do it yourself?” In addition to its name-brand assortment of vegan chorizo and ice cream, TJ’s created its own plant-based chicken. The Chickenless line ranges from mandarin orange bites to crispy tenders. Stock up.
Find it here
Abbot’s
12Abbot’s
With 14 grams of protein per serving, Abbot’s whole food-based chopped chicken is versatile and nutritious. Its primary components include pea protein, extra virgin olive oil, and a blend of herbs and spices like sage, thyme, and garlic powder.
Find it here
Meati
13Meati
This company transforms nutrient-rich mushroom roots into juicy chicken cutlets with an unbeatable texture. With a focus on whole cuts, Meati is poised to transform the vegan chicken sector. Choose between the Classic Cutlet and the Crispy Cutlet and enjoy in fajitas, salads, burritos, and more.
Find it here
Jack & Annie’s
14Jack & Annie’s
Jack & Annie’s takes a unique approach to its vegan chicken. In lieu of using the typical soy, seitan, or pea-based proteins, the company relies on jackfruit to replicate chicken’s tender, meaty chew. While a number of vegan meats are made under this brand (meatballs, sausages, patties, etc), the chicken options are outstanding. Find the buffalo wings and crispy chicken nuggets in the frozen aisle of your local Target, Sprouts, Whole Foods, or Wegmans.
Find it here
Rebellyous Foods
15Rebellyous Foods
These golden, juicy, crispy nuggets, patties, and tenders are available at select retailers and restaurants across Oregon, Washington, and California. It even has a school program, too. Stock up on the brand’s tenders, nuggets, and patties to satisfy all of your chicken cravings.
Find it here
VFC
16 Vegan Fried Chick*n (VFC)
In the US, KFC’s vegan fried chicken may come and go, but this UK-based company is filling in the gaps. Available in the UK, VFC’s line of tender, crispy vegan chicken products satisfy that itch for this familiar food. The range includes breaded Chick*n Fillets, Popcorn Chick*n, and Chick*n Tenders.
Find it here
Meatless Farm
17Meatless Farm
Meatless Farm is on a mission to help the planet, and they’re banking on vegan food to help them do it. While the brand offers a selection of plant-based meats ranging from breakfast patties to sausages and grounds, it’s the seitan- and pea-based chicken breast that can’t be missed. Don’t have the energy to cook? The brand also offers Chicken & Bacon Style Ravioli.
Find it here
@this.uk/Instagram
18 This
It hasn’t made it to the US yet, but British brand This offers its vegan chicken pieces in most UK supermarkets. On top of this, it also offers products like This Isn’t Chicken Thighs, This Isn’t Chicken Shawarma, and This Isn’t Roast Chicken & Stuffing.
Find it here
@vegheadsfood/Instagram
19 Heura
Based in Barcelona, Spain, Heura is committed to transitioning the Mediterranean region to plant-based food. Its tasty products include Mediterranean Chunks, Breaded Chick’n Fillets, Tex Mex Chunks, and much more.
Find it here
@ukfoodiefinder/Instagram
20The Vegetarian Butcher
When it comes to plant-based meat, the Dutch brand The Vegetarian Butcher is a favorite in Europe. You can even find its products on the menu at Burger King locations across Europe! One of its most popular offerings is its What The Cluck vegan chicken-style chunks, which are perfect for pastas, curries, stir-fries, and more.
Find it here
ShickenShicken
21Shicken
Vegan chicken without the hassle in ready-made meals? Shicken is making it happen with its spicy Jalfrezi and butter curries alongside milder—but just as flavorful—Tikka Masala and Tikka Kebabs, all made with the company’s vegan chicken.
find it here
Elmhurst
22TerraMeat
Elmhurst—a former dairy company turned plant-based milk maker—launched a new plant-based chicken made using hemp protein. TerraMeat Plant-Based Chick’n starts as a dry powder and requires the addition of water, oil, and spices, which then goes for a spin in the microwave. Available as a starter kit, it includes 10 pouches of Plant-Based Chick’n Powder, 10 packets of Original Spice Blend, and a silicone mixing cup and spatula. Refills of the chicken powder are available, as well.
find it here
23Whole Foods 365
This better-for-you-grocer is continually adding to its plant-based line of products. These Chicken Style Bites, for example, are a great source of fiber and protein, and would make a tasty addition to everything from stir fry to salad to pasta.
Find it here
24 UnMeat
If you want something pantry-friendly, UnMeat’s got you. They’re convenient and versatile, particularly suited to dishes like pot pies, casseroles, and salads. If you want to fill your pantry with more canned vegan meats, UnMeat also offers everything from vegan roast beef to tuna-style flakes.
Find it here
For more plant-based stories like this, read:
Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.
Here at VegNews, we live and breathe the plant-based lifestyle, and only recommend products we feel make our lives amazing. Occasionally, articles may include shopping links where we might earn a small commission, but in no way does this effect the editorial integrity of VegNews.
