Tender vegan chicken strips made with Butler Soy Curls are the perfect high-protein, plant-based alternative to poultry. Easy to make in the oven, skillet, or air fryer, these meaty, golden brown soy curl chicken strips are great for stir fry, wraps, and salads. A quick and healthy vegan chicken recipe ready in under 20 minutes!
Check out my Vegan Pepper Steak or Vegan Korean BBQ Beef made with soy curls.
You know that one food you used to eat way too much of as a kid? For me, it was chicken strips. Whether they came from a fast-food drive-thru, a frozen bag, or Grandma's "homemade" (aka straight out of a box), they were my jam.
But here's the thing: when I decided to ditch all animal products and switched to a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle, I thought I had to say goodbye forever.
That was before I met Butler's Soy Curls, the plant-based protein made from 100% non-GMO whole soybeans. And let me tell you, they've completely changed my vegan cooking game.
If you've never tried them before, soy curls are the closest thing to chicken you can make without…well, chicken. They're meaty, tender, and can soak up any flavor you throw at them.
And unlike some of those "mystery meat" vegan products at grocery stores, soy curls are just one ingredient: whole soybeans.
That's it. No weird additives, no preservatives, just pure plant-based goodness.
Why you'll love these vegan chicken strips
If it's your first time making soy curl chicken strips, you're about to be impressed.
- Meaty texture – You'll swear you're eating chicken (without the animal products).
- High in plant-based protein – A perfect swap for poultry dishes in your favorite recipes.
- Versatile – Coat them in buffalo sauce, stir fry with veggies, toss in noodle soup, or drench in BBQ sauce.
- Easy to make – Whether you use an oven, skillet, or air fryer, you can have dinner ready in under 20 minutes.
- Meal prep friendly – Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Ingredients you'll need
You can find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.
- Butler Foods Soy Curls
- Poultry seasoning (or your favorite seasoning blend)
- Smoked paprika
- Nutritional yeast
- Low-sodium vegetable broth (or vegan chicken broth)
- Bragg’s Liquid Aminos (or soy sauce/tamari)
How to make vegan chicken strips
Making these tender soy curl chicken strips couldn't be easier.
First, toss your dry soy curls in smoked paprika, poultry seasoning, and nutritional yeast. Then, pour hot vegetable broth and Liquid Aminos over them, and let them soak for about 10 minutes until they’re plump.
Once they're rehydrated, press out as much liquid as you can; this is the secret to getting that meaty texture. From here, just choose your cooking method:
- Oven: Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Air Fryer: Cook at 350°F for 10 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Skillet: Sear in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
Then all that's left is tossing them in your favorite sauce, adding them to a stir fry, or just eating them straight off the pan. No judgment here.
Cooking options for the perfect vegan chicken strips
Once they’re rehydrated, it’s up to you how you’d like to cook them. I prefer the air fryer or skillet.
Oven method (Chewy & Crispy)
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Spread drained soy curls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, stir, then bake another 5-10 minutes until edges are crispy and centers are still moist.
Air fryer method (Fast & Crispy)
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Spread soy curls in a single layer in the basket.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden brown.
Skillet method (Tender & Pan-Seared)
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add soy curls (no oil needed) and cook 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and slightly crispy.
Flavor variations
The base recipe is simple, but here's where you can have fun:
- Buffalo Soy Curls: Toss in your favorite hot sauce or buffalo sauce after cooking for game-day style vegan chicken strips.
- BBQ Soy Curls: Slather with your favorite BBQ sauce. It makes a killer BBQ Sandwich!
- Garlic & Herb: Add garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper for fresh flavors.
- Asian-Inspired Stir Fry: Cook with soy sauce, sesame seeds, and broccoli for a quick stir fry.
Serving ideas for vegan chicken strips
These soy curl chicken strips are ridiculously versatile, which is why they're always in my weekly meal rotation.
Once you've cooked them to golden brown perfection, here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy them:
- Buffalo Wraps – Toss the strips in buffalo sauce and wrap them in a tortilla with lettuce, vegan yogurt, and avocado.
- BBQ Sandwiches – Coat them in my smoky BBQ sauce and pile high on a toasted bun with coleslaw for the ultimate plant-based comfort food.
- Stir Fry – Add to a hot skillet with your favorite veggies, garlic powder, soy sauce, and sesame seeds for an easy weeknight dinner.
- Noodle Soup – Drop them into a bowl of steaming vegetable broth with noodles, fresh cilantro, and green onions for a hearty, warming meal.
- Salad Protein Boost – Toss chilled strips into your favorite salad for a healthy dose of plant-based protein and meaty texture.
- Mock Chicken Casserole – Use as the protein in your go-to casserole recipe, along with fresh vegetables and a creamy vegan sauce.
Whether you keep it simple or get creative, these tender vegan chicken strips can be dressed up in dozens of ways. And the best part? No animal products, just fresh flavors and clean ingredients.
Storage tips
Store cooled vegan chicken strips in a sealed container or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
For longer storage, freeze for up to 8 weeks. Reheat in a skillet, oven, or air fryer for the best texture.
Frequently asked questions
Butler Soy Curls are made from 100% non-GMO whole soybeans. They're a minimally processed vegan meat alternative with no additives, preservatives, or animal products.
Yes! Removing excess water (or broth) is the best way to get that chewy, meaty texture. Too much moisture will make the strips soggy instead of golden brown.
Absolutely. You can use an air fryer (350°F for 10 minutes) or cook in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes.
This base recipe uses poultry seasoning, smoked paprika, and nutritional yeast. Still, you can try garlic powder, onion powder, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or even an Asian-inspired stir fry sauce.
They're available on the Butler website, Amazon, many health food stores, and some Whole Foods locations.
Once cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 8 weeks. Reheat in the oven, skillet, or air fryer for the best texture.
Final thoughts
These tender vegan chicken strips have become one of my favorite ways to get a high-protein, flavorful, and satisfying plant-based meal on the table fast.
Whether you're making them for the first time or the fiftieth, the versatility, flavor, and texture keep them in my regular dinner rotation.
So next time you're craving something meaty without the meat, grab some soy curls, your favorite seasoning blend, and go to town. Your taste buds (and your plant-based heart) will thank you.
Did you try this recipe?
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Easy Vegan Chicken Strips (Made with Soy Curls)
Tender vegan chicken strips made with Butler Soy Curls are the perfect high-protein, plant-based alternative to poultry. Easy to make in the oven, skillet, or air fryer, these meaty, golden brown soy curl chicken strips are great for stir fry, wraps, salads, or drenching in BBQ or buffalo sauce. A quick and healthy vegan chicken recipe ready in under 20 minutes!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: air-fry, or skillet, Oven
- Cuisine: Amercian
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups of Butler Foods Soy Curls
- 1 tablespoon of poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast
- 3 cups of low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon of low-sodium soy sauce or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
Instructions
- Season the Soy Curls: Add your dry soy curls to a large bowl. Sprinkle in smoked paprika, poultry seasoning, and nutritional yeast. Toss to coat. You want that seasoning blend to cover every piece.
- Rehydrate the Soy Curls: In a small pot, bring the vegetable broth and soy sauce to a boil. Pour the hot broth over the soy curls. Let them soak for 10 minutes until plump and tender.
- Drain the Excess Liquid: Pour the rehydrated soy curls into a colander or sieve. Using the bottom of another bowl, press down firmly to remove as much liquid as possible. This step is key to achieving that crispy, meaty texture. If there’s too much water, it will make them soggy.
Cooking options
Oven Method (Chewy & Crispy)
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Spread the drained soy curls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes, stir, then bake another 5-10 minutes until edges are crispy and centers are still moist.
Air Fryer Method (Fast & Crispy)
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Spread soy curls in a single layer in the basket.
- Air fry for 10 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden brown.
Skillet Method (Tender & Pan-Seared)
- Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add soy curls (no oil needed) and cook 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and slightly crispy.
Notes
Quick tips to get perfectly crispy, flavorful vegan chicken strips every time.
- Press out as much liquid as possible after soaking for the best meaty texture.
- Choose your cooking method: bake, air fry, or pan-sear depending on desired crispiness.
- Toss in BBQ or buffalo sauce while warm for maximum flavor absorption.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 8 weeks.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back that golden brown magic.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ cup
- Calories: 91
- Sugar: 1.5 g
- Sodium: 341.3 mg
- Fat: 3.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.3 g
- Fiber: 3.5 g
- Protein: 8.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
This looks delicious! Do you think leaving out the nutritional yeast will make them too bland? I am allergic to that stuff and never use it in anything.
These were ridiculously easy and tasty! Made them to add to chicken noodle soup, and couldn’t keep myself from snacking on them while I made the soup. Thanks for the great recipe!
These were easy to make and very tasty. I soaked the soy curls for about 20 minutes and then air fried for 15 minutes. Served them over brown rice along with broccoli and cauliflower. Topped everything with some peanut sauce and a little sriracha! Yummy! Thanks Shane for all of your delicious recipes!
Thanks so much for reaching out and sharing! Love the idea and sounds delicious.
Tender vegan chicken strips made with Butler Soy Curls are the perfect high-protein, plant-based alternative to poultry. Easy to make in the oven, skillet, or air fryer, these meaty, golden brown soy curl chicken strips are great for stir fry, wraps, and salads. A quick and healthy vegan chicken recipe ready in under 20 minutes!