2.08.2013

Mock Chicken Salad

So I’ve been a huge fan of Whole Foods’ mock chicken salad for a couple of years now. I’ve long wanted to figure out how to make it, but the texture of the faux chicken they use is, IMHO, what makes it so damn good. Well, I finally figured out what product they’re using… Delight Soy Nuggets. I found them recently in the frozen foods section at the local Whole Foods, and they looked just like the soy nuggets I’ve seen in the prepared foods section at The Mothership. Long story short… they are the very same nuggets my beloved mock chicken salad is made of.

I decided to try my hand at making my own, if only because the Whole Foods stuff is just so damn pricey. Now I just needed a good chicken salad recipe. For that I turned to the Shannons, and their Betty Crocker Project. I used their chicken salad recipe, and it came out fantastic! I failed to take any pictures, but it looked just like the Whole Foods mock chicken salad, and by all reports tasted even better. I ended up replacing the red onion called for in the recipe with yellow, because that’s what I had on hand. And rather than frying the nuggets, I prepared them as directed on the package - baking them for 10 minutes at 350, then letting them cool before chopping them up for the salad.

My estimate is that I made about twice as much as normally comes in the large to go container at Whole Foods (at an average price of $10 per container), at a total cost of around $7. My only regret is not putting some back for me to have today, since my guests devoured the entire batch last night. Next time, double batch!

15 comments:

  1. hi, how much did the nuggets cost you at Whole Foods?

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  2. Whole Foods has stopped carrying the mock chicken salad here in Austin. I'm so addicted! They said their supplier quit making the soy nuggets. I would love to figure out how to make it. Are you still using the Delight brand?

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  3. Whole Foods has stopped carrying the mock chicken salad here in Austin. I'm so addicted! They said their supplier quit making the soy nuggets. I would love to figure out how to make it. Are you still using the Delight brand?

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    1. Hi! due to the huge demand i think they are bringing it back to Whole foods in November depending on where you live. Yeay!!

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    2. Same in Houston. Was really disappointed when I learned they stopped carrying it. I don't see it available on Instacart; will check in person to see if it's back in stock.

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  4. Omg yes I am addicted too. The store in Plano told me that it was because the other brand had a high fat content and they were going with the beyond meat soy. I've tried the new version...Sooo not the same. Would have totally stocked up if I had known..haha yes addicted.

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  5. I absolutely loved the mock buffalo chicken salad from WF, and would always get it at the store in Plano. But then I moved back to Michigan and the nearest WF didn't carry it. Sad girl I was. And they don't carry the delight soy nuggets but the popcorn bites instead. Plus the nearest WF is a good hour+ away (the one they're opening near me keeps getting their opening date pushed back- boo!) Sooooo, I picked up some of the mock chicken strips by Gardien and am hoping I can duplicate the yumminess that is the mock buffalo chicken salad! Fingers crossed!

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  6. I absolutely loved the mock buffalo chicken salad from WF, and would always get it at the store in Plano. But then I moved back to Michigan and the nearest WF didn't carry it. Sad girl I was. And they don't carry the delight soy nuggets but the popcorn bites instead. Plus the nearest WF is a good hour+ away (the one they're opening near me keeps getting their opening date pushed back- boo!) Sooooo, I picked up some of the mock chicken strips by Gardien and am hoping I can duplicate the yumminess that is the mock buffalo chicken salad! Fingers crossed!

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  7. Any updates on the availability of the delight foods soy Nuggets used in Whole Foods vegan fruity chicken salad ? I used to buy the nuggets & patties @ Whiole Foods in Greensboro, but they are out... the company that makes them is near Charlotte, NC. I'm going to investigate .... hope they aren't discontinued ! Nothing as good as these.

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  8. I've seen the soy delight nuggets within the last year at Whole Foods in Austin, but haven't shopped for them in a few months.

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  9. Good news- the Delight Soy nuggets & patties are still available , & Whole Foods carries them (in freezer near veggie burgers). In Greensboro NC They're by far the best chicken substitute!

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  10. Also in Savannah Ga Whole Foods, yayyyy!

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  11. Too bad, this is the best chicken substitute!! but I can't get it, what's with that huh? I have even gotten in touch with the producers of Delight soy nuggets. Only sell to retail and retail is not selling them, they are making things with them in their delis. I would love to buy these as closest taste to chicken I have ever experienced.😞

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  12. any updates on where we can get this product on east coast of USA?

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