You won’t believe it’s not chicken…

Each year in Australia alone, some 500 million chickens are slaughtered for their meat. It’s a shocking statistic, but it’s true. Thankfully, with awareness of the cruelty inherent to the meat industry ever on the rise, more and more caring people are becoming empowered to make kinder choices for animals.

More chickens are eaten annually than any other land animal in the world, and they suffer enormously in the process of getting to dinner plates. So, if you’re among the 1 in 3 Aussies who are putting the chicken before the nugget by eating fewer or no animals, you’re part of a powerful global movement for change!

Together, we can shape a world where our feathered friends are valued not for what their bodies can produce, but as the sweet, gentle, and clever individuals they are.

And whether you’re eating plant-based primarily for animals, the environment, or your health, you can still enjoy all your favourite foods along the way. It’s truly never been easier to find chook-friendly options in stores!

Here are some of our favourite plant-based chicken products you can find in major Australian supermarkets:

Crispy, crunchy, golden goodness! These plant-based chicken nuggets are ridiculously satisfying. Throw them in the oven for an easy after-school snack, or serve them with a side of roast veggies and mashed potato for a ‘meat and 3 veg’ style main.

• Fry’s Family Food Co. Plant-Based Popcorn Chick’n
• Fry’s Family Food Co. Plant-Based Stars & Moons
• Fry’s Family Food Co. Plant-Based Chicken-Style Nuggets
• Birds Eye Plant-Based Chicken-Style Nuggets
• Birds Eye Plant-Based Chicken-Style Fingers
• Quorn Meat-Free Crunchy Nuggets
• V2 Plant-Based Popcorn Bites Southern Style

Perfect for swapping into any of your favourite chicken-centric comfort meals. Try these crumbed ‘chicken’ options sliced up in your favourite pasta dish – or layered with tomato sauce, herbs, and melty dairy-free cheese for a veg take on the classic parmigiana. 

• Fry’s Family Food Co. Soy & Flaxseed Schnitzels
• Birds Eye Plant-Based Chicken-Style Tenders
• Plantein Plant-Based Schnitzels
• Plantein Plant-Based Garlic Kievs
• Plantein Plant-Based Sweet Chilli Tenders
• V2 Plant-Based Schnitzel
• V2 Plant-Based Tenders Southern Style
• Plantitude Crumbed Chick’n Tempting Tenders
• Plantitude Crumbed Chick’n Super Schnitzels
• Plantitude Chicken-Free Sweet Chilli Tenders
• Quorn Vegan Schnitzels
• Vegie Delights Crumbed Schnitzels

There are heaps of un-crumbed ‘chicken’ products to pick from too, in all kinds of shapes and sizes. These delicious offerings are super versatile. Chuck them into anything from stir-fries to sandwiches, salads to stews for an extra hit of plant-based protein – or have them on their own with tomato sauce for a cheeky, chicken-y snack!

• Birds Eye Plant-Based Chicken-Style Strips
• The Meet Co. Plant-Based Tenders
• The Meet Co. Plant-Based Chicken-Free Strips
• Quorn Vegan Fillets

Pop these on the shopping list for your next BBQ (along with some leafy greens, tomato, onion, dairy-free cheese and egg-free mayo) and you’re set! Hearty plant-based chicken burgers and hot dogs coming right up. The sausages are also amazing sliced up in dishes like gnocchi, veggie stew, and tofu scramble. 

• Fry’s Family Food Co. Quinoa & Brown Rice Protein Burgers
• Quorn Meat-Free Crunchy Chicken Fillet Burgers
• Vegie Delights Chicken-Style Burger
• Vegie Delights Chicken-Style Sausages
• Unreal Co. Chick’N Chive Sausages

These meatless chicken slices are right at home in vibrant salad sandwiches and wraps – and make great additions to plant-based snack platters, too. Good options to remember for kids’ lunch boxes! 

• Deli-Licious Chicken-Style Plant-Based Slices
• Made with Plants Meat-Free Deli-Style Chicken

A few minutes in the microwave, and these convenient faux-chicken ready-meals are ready to be enjoyed. They’re lifesavers for busy lunch breaks or weeknights when you just need something quick, tasty, and nourishing.

• Ruffie Rustic Foods Chicken-Less Schnitzel & Penne Pomodoro
• Plantitude Bangin’ Butter Chick’n with Rice

You’ll find an ever bigger selection of plant-based roasts on the market when the festive season rolls around – but in the meantime, there are several everyday options available. Try out one of these products with a generous drizzle of gravy for your next Sunday roast!

• Made With Plants Meat-Free Roast Chicken
• Vegie Delights Vegie Roast

The best thing is, most of these plant-based chicken products can be prepared exactly the same way as their animal-based counterparts – making it super easy to veg-ify any of your usual recipes. Nothing new to learn here, just swap out the meat!

When browsing for chicken-friendly options, be sure to check these three hotspots of your local supermarket: the frozen vegetarian section, the refrigerated vegetarian section, and the plant-based zone of the meat section. 

Smaller shops like Asian grocers and health stores are also well worth checking out – they can be wonderlands when it comes to meat-free meals. Alternatively, you can order a wide range of plant-based meat online at specialist retailers.

And these store-bought options are just the tip of the iceberg – there’s a whole lot more to explore in the mouth-watering world of plant-based food… For even more tips and chicken-friendly meal ideas, grab your free Veg Starter Kit here.

Here’s one minute of chickens winning at life. Every kind food choice can help pave the way to a kinder world for chickens just like them!