Vegan Cajun Chicken Pieces
Transform your plant-based meals with this bold and flavorful recipe for Vegan Cajun Chicken Pieces! Made with tender young jackfruit, this dish is marinated in a zesty blend of Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and a touch of maple syrup for a perfectly balanced sweet-and-spicy kick. A splash of soy sauce and lemon juice elevates the umami factors, while cooking the jackfruit until golden adds irresistible crisp edges that mimic the texture of classic pulled chicken. Ready in under 40 minutes, this versatile dish can be served as a mouthwatering sandwich filling, a protein-packed salad topping, or a hearty main course alongside your favorite sides. Perfect for those seeking gluten-free, vegan-friendly Cajun-inspired cuisine, it’s a flavorful plant-based twist that will have everyone coming back for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cans (14 oz each) Young jackfruit (in brine, drained and rinsed)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Onion powder
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce (or tamari for Gluten-Free version)
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit thoroughly to remove the brine. Pat dry with paper towels.
In a large bowl, shred the jackfruit pieces using your hands or a fork until they resemble the texture of pulled chicken.
Add olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, soy sauce, maple syrup, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper to the shredded jackfruit. Mix well to ensure the jackfruit is completely coated with the marinade.
Let the jackfruit marinate for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors, or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours for a deeper flavor.
Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated jackfruit to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-25 minutes until the jackfruit is golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you prefer more heat, add additional Cajun seasoning to taste.
Remove from heat and serve your Vegan Cajun Chicken Pieces hot as a sandwich filling, over salads, or as a main dish with your side of choice.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
383 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 28.5 g | 37% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.4 g | 22% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 5420 mg | 236% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 28.1 g | 10% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.7 g | ||
| Protein | 3.4 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 32 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 1.6 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 349 mg | 7% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
