How To Make Southern Style Vegan “Chicken” Salad
I know what you’re thinking. “Vegan” chicken salad? Now Darci Hanson, that dog just won’t hunt. I know, I know. It makes zero sense…but if I had titled this “Vegan Chickpea Salad” it would get approximately zero clicks. So I had to fool ya a bit. Forgive me?
Trust me, you want to try this recipe. Even if you aren’t vegan. Even if you think chickpeas are only good for hummus. Even if your great aunt Mary-Grace makes the best dang chicken salad east of the Mississippi. The biggest issue with this recipe? I eat an entire serving before I can even get it out of the mixing bowl, it is that good.
One of my favorite places to eat back home is a restaurant called “Chicken Salad Chick”. She has all these different types of chicken salad, the BEST pimento cheese and ya’ll, the grape salad. Oh so good! And when I had to cut meat from my diet, chicken salad was truly the only meat (aside from bacon of course) that I craved. So I started looking for recipes, pulled together my own thoughts and went for it! I have tweaked this recipe a couple times now, and while we are fasting I subbed in coconut yogurt and vegan mayo for the regular greek yogurt and mayo I use, but it is so adaptable and easy to make fit your ingredients and desired flavor.
My favorite way to make this is with dried cranberries, grapes and pecans….just like my favorite chicken salad. Today I added in apples for an extra crunch because I did not have celery on hand.
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Recipe:
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Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup Pecan Bits
- 1/2 Cup Almonds
- 3 Tablespoons Coconut Yogurt
- 3 Tablespoons Vegan Mayo
- 1/2 lb Seedless Grapes
- 1/2 Cup Craisins
- 1 Medium Apple, diced
- 2 Cans Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
Instructions:
- Place almonds in food processor and pulse until bits, but before it becomes nut butter. Empty into a large bowl.
- Next drain cans of chickpeas and put in food processor. Pulse until chopped, but before it becomes hummus. Empty into bowl with almonds.
- Place mayo and yogurt in food processor along with desired seasonings. I suggest salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and a touch of dried mustard. Pulse until well combined.
- Pour “dressing” over almond and chickpea mixture, stir until combined.
- Wash and dry grapes. Add to bowl.
- Add craisins to bowl.
- Dice apple and add to bowl.
- Mix all ingredients together so everything is covered by the dressing. Season and adjust to your liking.
This is such an easy recipe that needs only a food processor and a single bowl to prepare. It is great on crackers, bread or simply spooned out of your mixing bowl. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare total. Enjoy!
