If you’ve ever craved the familiar, comforting taste of a chicken patty but want to keep your meal vegetarian, you’re in for a treat! This vegetarian chicken patty recipe offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors that mimic the classic chicken patty experience without any meat.
Made with wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, vital wheat gluten, and a medley of spices, these patties are juicy, flavorful, and perfect for sandwiches, salads, or even as a snack on their own. Whether you’re a dedicated vegetarian, a flexitarian, or just looking to try something new, this recipe will satisfy your taste buds and keep things healthy.
Besides being delicious, these patties are easy to make from scratch and freeze well for future meals. They’re a fantastic addition to your weekly meal prep and pair wonderfully with classic burger toppings or creative sauces.
Ready to dive into a meatless delight that feels like comfort food? Let’s get cooking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This vegetarian chicken patty recipe is a perfect fusion of nutrition, taste, and convenience. Here’s why it stands out:
- Plant-based protein packed: Using chickpeas and vital wheat gluten, these patties provide a substantial amount of protein to keep you energized.
- Deliciously versatile: Enjoy them in a sandwich, on a salad, or as a protein-packed snack. They hold up well to various sauces and seasonings.
- Easy to customize: You can tweak the spices and herbs to suit your palate, making this recipe a great base for experimentation.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch ahead of time and freeze for quick meals on busy days.
- Meat-like texture: Thanks to vital wheat gluten and the right combination of ingredients, these patties have a pleasantly chewy, satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|
Chickpeas (cooked, drained) | 1 ½ cups (about 1 can) | Rinsed and drained if canned |
Vital wheat gluten | ¾ cup | Key for texture |
Ground flaxseed | 2 tbsp | Egg replacer and binder |
Water | 5 tbsp | For flaxseed mixture |
Onion (finely chopped) | ½ cup | Fresh for flavor |
Garlic (minced) | 2 cloves | Fresh |
Nutritional yeast | 2 tbsp | For umami flavor |
Soy sauce or tamari | 1 tbsp | For seasoning and moisture |
Vegetable broth | ½ cup | Warm |
Ground coriander | 1 tsp | Spice |
Smoked paprika | 1 tsp | For smoky flavor |
Black pepper | ½ tsp | Freshly ground |
Salt | ½ tsp | To taste |
Olive oil | 2 tbsp | For frying |
Optional: dried thyme or sage | ½ tsp | For extra herb flavor |
Equipment
- Food processor or blender – for blending chickpeas and mixing dough
- Mixing bowls – medium and large sizes
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Non-stick skillet or frying pan – for cooking patties
- Spatula – to flip patties
- Baking sheet and parchment paper – optional, for baking
- Whisk – for mixing flaxseed and water
Instructions
- Prepare the flax egg: In a small bowl, combine the ground flaxseed with 5 tablespoons of water. Whisk well and let it sit for 10 minutes until it thickens and gels. This acts as a binder similar to eggs.
- Pulse chickpeas: Place the cooked chickpeas in your food processor and pulse a few times until coarsely chopped. You want some texture, not a complete puree.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic; cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, ground coriander, smoked paprika, black pepper, salt, and optional herbs like thyme or sage.
- Combine wet ingredients: Add the sautéed onion and garlic, flax egg, soy sauce, and warm vegetable broth to the dry ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Add chickpeas: Fold the chickpeas into the mixture, stirring until a dough forms. Use your hands to knead the dough in the bowl for 2-3 minutes until it becomes elastic and holds together well.
- Shape patties: Divide the dough into 6-8 equal portions and shape each into a patty roughly ¾ inch thick and 3-4 inches wide.
- Cook patties: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and firm to the touch.
- Optional baking step: For a firmer texture, transfer the cooked patties to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes.
- Serve warm: Enjoy immediately or cool and freeze for later use.
Tips & Variations
“For an even juicier patty, try adding finely chopped mushrooms or grated zucchini to the mixture. Just be sure to squeeze out excess moisture to keep the dough firm!”
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute vital wheat gluten with 1 ½ cups cooked quinoa and ½ cup chickpea flour, though texture will differ.
- Spice it up: Add ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
- Herb variations: Experiment with fresh parsley, cilantro, or dill for different flavor profiles.
- Make it vegan sandwich-ready: Toast your favorite buns and add vegan mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and pickles for a satisfying meal.
- Storage: Refrigerate patties up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Amount Per Patty (makes 8) |
---|---|
Calories | 120 kcal |
Protein | 9 g |
Fat | 4 g |
Carbohydrates | 12 g |
Fiber | 3 g |
Sodium | 230 mg |
Serving Suggestions
These vegetarian chicken patties are extremely versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways:
- Classic sandwich: Serve on a toasted bun with lettuce, tomato, vegan mayo, and pickles for a satisfying meal.
- Salad topper: Slice the patty and add it to a fresh green salad with avocado and a tangy vinaigrette.
- Wraps and burritos: Use with homemade wraps or tortillas like in the Vegan Flour Tortilla Recipe Easy, Soft, and Homemade for a tasty handheld meal.
- Snack bites: Cut into smaller pieces and serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as vegan ranch or BBQ.
- Meal prep bowls: Pair with grains, roasted veggies, and sauces for balanced meal bowls.
Conclusion
This vegetarian chicken patty recipe is a wonderful addition to any meatless menu. It combines wholesome ingredients, satisfying texture, and rich flavors to deliver a truly enjoyable eating experience.
Whether you’re new to vegetarian cooking or a seasoned pro, these patties offer a nutritious and delicious alternative to traditional chicken. They’re easy to make, adaptable to your taste preferences, and perfect for quick meals or batch cooking.
Don’t forget to check out other fantastic plant-based recipes on the blog, like the Veggie Quesadilla Recipe Indian Style Easy & Delicious or the comforting Vegan Slow Cooker Recipe for Easy, Delicious Meals.
For more island-inspired flavors, explore the Vegan Cuban Recipes: Delicious Plant-Based Island Flavor.
Give this recipe a try, and you might just find your new favorite vegetarian comfort food!
📖 Recipe Card: Vegetarian Chicken Patty
Description: A delicious and healthy vegetarian chicken patty made with plant-based ingredients. Perfect for sandwiches or as a snack.
Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT35M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup textured vegetable protein (TVP)
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated carrot
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Rehydrate TVP in vegetable broth for 10 minutes.
- In a bowl, combine rehydrated TVP, bread crumbs, carrot, onion, garlic, soy sauce, paprika, pepper, salt, and parsley.
- Mix well until the mixture holds together.
- Shape mixture into 4 equal patties.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Cook patties for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Remove from skillet and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Nutrition: Calories: 220 kcal | Protein: 18 g | Fat: 7 g | Carbs: 20 g
{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegetarian Chicken Patty”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A delicious and healthy vegetarian chicken patty made with plant-based ingredients. Perfect for sandwiches or as a snack.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT20M”, “totalTime”: “PT35M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“1 cup textured vegetable protein (TVP)”, “1/2 cup vegetable broth”, “1/2 cup bread crumbs”, “1/4 cup grated carrot”, “1/4 cup finely chopped onion”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “2 tablespoons soy sauce”, “1 tablespoon olive oil”, “1 teaspoon smoked paprika”, “1/2 teaspoon black pepper”, “1/2 teaspoon salt”, “1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Rehydrate TVP in vegetable broth for 10 minutes.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “In a bowl, combine rehydrated TVP, bread crumbs, carrot, onion, garlic, soy sauce, paprika, pepper, salt, and parsley.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Mix well until the mixture holds together.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Shape mixture into 4 equal patties.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Cook patties for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Remove from skillet and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “220 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “18 g”, “fatContent”: “7 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “20 g”}}