My grandma didn’t cook often, but she had a few recipes in her arsenal that us grandkids just loved and in my pre-veggie days, this was one of them. Finally, I can enjoy Vegan Chicken and Biscuits.
The challenge with vegan cooking (as you know) is in building flavor. I knew I wanted that traditional “yellow gravy” and Better Than Bouillon makes a vegan vegetable base that is AMAZING (if you can find it locally, it’s only about $4.99 USD). Also, a rich, dark veggie broth like this one from Imagine makes a world of difference. I’ll link both down below.
I begin with a traditional base made with onions, celery and carrots (I used frozen because I had them on hand) and saute in a very small amount of water, oil or broth. You want them tender before proceeding.
Now, let’s talk “chicken“. I used what has become my favorite new product…soy curls from Butler Foods. Not sponsored – just in awe of their versatility 🙂
I soak the soy curls in very hot broth, drain (reserving the broth for the gravy) and press them with paper towels. Saute them with the veggies until golden.
In goes the reserved veggie broth which I first whisked with just one tablespoon of the bouillon, parsley and vegan creamer (you can also use coconut milk or any non-dairy milk). Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Cook for a few minutes or until it thickens just slightly. You don’t want to reduce this too much because the biscuits will absorb some of that moisture. You can always add more stock or cream to loosen it even after the biscuits have risen.
Speaking of those biscuits… These simple drop biscuits go right in, cover and let steam. This is a very sticky batter, and in hindsight, I might have made fewer biscuits but larger. Really mound them up because even though they will rise, they will sink into the gravy.
Regardless, they were delicious! Two spoons or a large cookie scoop (sprayed with cooking spray) works well here.
This recipe was so delicious that I will be definitely be making it again and again, and probably with variations on the theme.
If you’re into this recipe, you can check out my Vegan Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry Crust on my sister site Living Vegan!
Tender biscuits, rich and flavorful gravy, loads of veggies…it’s so good.
Did you make this recipe for Vegan Chicken and Biscuits? Leave a comment below.
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Vegan Chicken and Biscuits
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Oil of your choosing
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 2 medium Carrots chopped
- 2 ribs Celery chopped
- 1 clove Garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Pepper
- 1/4 c Flour
- 1-1/2 c Vegan Soy Curls rehydrated in broth, drained & pressed dry with paper towels
- 4 cups Veggie Stock plus more if needed to thin
- 2 tbsp Vegan Bouillon Base
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1/2 c Vegan Creamer, Coconut Milk or Non-Dairy Milk
- 1-2 Bay Leaves OPTIONAL
- 1/4 c Parsley chopped
- 1 tsp Thyme OPTIONAL
- Additional Salt + Pepper to taste
DUMPLINGS:
- 1-1/3 c Flour
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 2/3 c Vegan Creamer, Coconut Milk or Non-Dairy Milk
- 1 tbsp Vegan Margarine melted
Instructions
- In 2 c of very hot broth, add the soy curls and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes. Drain, reserving the broth, and press the curls with paper towels to remove some of the excess moisture.
- Add oil, onion, carrots and celery to a large saute pan, cooking until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute longer. NOTE: You can use some of your broth to cook the veggies instead of oil if you prefer.
- Add the drained soy curls to the veggies and cook until golden and browned.
- Stir in 1/4 cup flour to the veggie/soy curl mixture until blended. Gradually add stock with bouillon (including the reserved 2 cups used to soak the soy curls), stirring constantly. Stir in sugar and add bay leaves.
- Cook, covered, until mixture reaches a simmer.
- Meanwhile for the drop biscuits, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Add non-dairy milk and melted vegan margarine, mixing just until blended (do not over mix). Set aside.
- Gently stir in vegan creamer, parsley and thyme. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Discard bay leaves.
- Drop large scoops of dumpling/biscuit batter on top of simmering soup. Reduce heat to low; cook, covered (do not lift cover for 15-18 minutes). To check for doneness, insert a toothpick in center of dumplings. It should come out clean when fully cooked.
Karen says
Loved your Chicken & Biscuits recipe. Wanted to possibly introduce you to a vegan chicken substitute from a company known as No Evil Foods. They have a “chicken-esque” product known as Comrade Cluck (formerly called The Prepper) that is excellent and very versatile. They can be found on their FB page or on Instagram. Bet you will be duly impressed with the consistency and taste! Please give it a try…♥
aimee says
That looks amazing! I am in Arizona and it looks like they are mainly on the east coast. I may have to have some shipped 🙂 Thanks for the tip.
Tara says
Any suggestions on substituting AP flour for the biscuits?
aimee says
Hi Tara, I just recently tried a similar drop biscuit with a Paleo flour and it didn’t turn out well at all. I tried researching a bit and I don’t see anyone getting the consistency of this biscuit. I’m not super familiar with working with gluten free flours unfortunately. One thing I might suggest is searching for a gluten free STEAMED bun because that might work here. If you find a recipe you think might work, let me know. I’d be glad to test it! 🙂
Linda herrera says
So excited to try this recipe for myself and son who just became vegetarian (I always have been). Any recommendations to sub the soy curls? I’m allergic to all soy products. Would the jackfruit work? Thank you. ☺️
aimee says
Hi Linda, jackfruit would absolutely work! I would love to hear what you think after you make it 🙂
Helaine says
I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! The only thing extra I did was to toss the soy curls in a chicken seasoning that I bought made for the curls, then I tossed them in with the veggies. Definitely a keeper recipe, thank you for sharing.
aimee says
I have been wanting to try that seasoning they advertise with the soy curls. I am going to purchase it. Thanks for the tip and so glad you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂
Tami says
Just wondering how this holds up if made ahead? Concerned the biscuits may dissolve upon reheating.
aimee says
Hi Tami, since the biscuits are made in the sauce, I don’t think this should be made ahead of time. However, if you wanted to make it UP TO the point of adding the biscuits, that would be fine. Then just reheat and add the drop biscuits at that time. Another alternative would be to make it without the biscuits and serve with these biscuits from my sister site —> https://www.living-vegan.com/vegan-southern-style-biscuits-gravy/ These are my absolute favorite biscuits to date! 🙂 Hope that helps.
CC Rider says
Made this amazing dish tonight! It came out sooooooo delicious. I used white spelt flour and followed the recipe spot on except, I replaced shallots for the garlic and used coconut oil instead of margarine. Everything came out perfectly. Being from the south I can honestly say handouts down best I’ve had.
Thank you for the inspiration and recipe.
Angela C says
Hi! I already have some biscuits made but wanted to try this recipe. What changes do you think I should make if I’m not going to add the biscuits/dumplings? I’m assuming less liquid. But would you reduce any of the other things like flour or sugar??
Thank you!!!
aimee says
Hi Angela, I honestly don’t think you need to adjust the recipe at all. I would just add the biscuits on top at the end. They should soak up some of the liquids.
Angela C. says
Hi! I want to make this recipe but I already have some biscuits made. I was wondering if I were to make this without the biscuits/dumplings, is there anything I should change? Like maybe I’d need less liquid? What about the sugar and flour?
Thank you!!