Cooked chickpeas are the easiest whole-food substitute for chicken in pot pie. For distinct, mild cubes, choose extra-firm tofu; for a chewier chicken-style bite, try rehydrated soy curls or seitan. Store-bought meatless pieces are convenient when familiar chunks matter, while mushrooms add savory flavor and work well alongside a firmer ingredient. No controlled comparison establishes a single best choice for every pot pie.
Choose a substitute by the texture you want
| Option | Best suited to | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked chickpeas | Pantry convenience and a substantial whole-food filling | Easy to use, but bean-like rather than chicken-like in texture. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension uses cooked chickpeas in its plant-based pot-pie recipe. |
| Extra-firm tofu | Mild, distinct cubes | Drain, pat dry, and cube it before folding it into the thickened filling. Food Network Kitchen uses this approach in its tofu potpie. |
| Rehydrated soy curls | A chewier, chicken-style shred or chunk | They need rehydrating first. A vegan pot-pie recipe lists them as an option, but does not establish how they compare with other fillings. |
| Seitan | A chewier wheat-based meat substitute | Seitan contains wheat gluten, so it is not suitable for gluten-free cooking. |
| Commercial meatless pieces | Convenience and familiar chicken-style pieces | Check the current package for ingredients and allergens, since formulations and availability can vary. Quorn publishes a pot-pie recipe using its meatless pieces. |
| Mushrooms, alone or paired | A savory, earthy filling | Mushrooms add umami; pair them with a firmer ingredient if you want a more substantial bite. |
These are practical, qualitative distinctions based on recipes and a substitution guide—not results from a controlled taste or nutrition trial.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How to use each option
Cooked chickpeas: the simplest swap
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s plant-based pot-pie recipe replaces chicken with cooked chickpeas. Canned chickpeas are a convenient way to get cooked chickpeas: drain and rinse them before adding them to the filling. Expect a filling with a bean texture, not pieces that mimic chicken.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Extra-firm tofu: for mild cubes
Drain the tofu, pat it dry, and cut it into cubes. Fold the cubes into the thickened filling, as in Food Network Kitchen’s tofu potpie. White mushrooms in that recipe add savory flavor alongside the tofu.
#1 Best Overall
- No hydrogenated fats or high fructose corn syrup allowed in any food
- No bleached or bromated flour
- No synthetic nitrates or nitrites
Soy curls or seitan: for a chewier bite
Rehydrate soy curls before adding them to the pie. Seitan offers another chewy option, but it is made from wheat gluten; do not use it when cooking for someone who needs a gluten-free meal. A vegan pot-pie recipe also lists tofu, chickpeas, and store-bought vegan chicken, illustrating that these are alternatives rather than a tested ranking.
Commercial meatless pieces: for convenience
Follow the package directions for the specific product. In its published pot-pie method, Quorn briefly cooks the pieces with aromatics, then simmers them in broth and flour before baking the filling in biscuit cups. Check the current package and local formulation for allergens rather than relying on a recipe label alone.
Rank #2
- Vegan Chicken-Style Dry Mix — Plant-based pea protein chicken meat substitute that hydrate and cook into tender chicken-style mince in minutes. Just add water and oil, then use in stir-fries, curries, wraps, sandwiches, soups, or salads.
- 20g Protein Per Serving — Chicken Free pea protein for active lifestyles, fitness goals, sports nutrition, and every day high-protein meals. A complete, convenient plant-based protein source for post-workout meals and balanced dinners.
- Shelf-stable Pantry Essential — Dry format designed for long shelf life with no refrigeration needed. Ideal for meal prep, quick weeknight dinners, and building a reliable plant-based pantry.
- Perfect for Camping, Hiking & Travel — Lightweight and compact, this dry mix is ideal for backpacking trips, RV travel, and outdoor cooking. Easy to pack, quick to prepare, zero refrigeration required.
- Emergency Food & Quick Weeknight Meals — Ready in 5 minutes with just water and oil. Great for emergency food storage, survival pantry supplies, and fast high-protein dinners with minimal preparation.
Mushrooms: for savory depth
Mushrooms can contribute earthy, umami flavor, but they need not carry the whole filling. Pair them with tofu, chickpeas, or another firmer ingredient if you want more varied texture.
For a fully plant-based pot pie
Replacing chicken alone does not make a pot pie vegan. Check that the crust or biscuit, cooking fat, milk, and broth are plant-based, too. A vegan pot-pie recipe notes plant milk and vegetable broth as options.
Rank #3
- No hydrogenated fats or high fructose corn syrup allowed in any food
- No bleached or bromated flour
- No synthetic nitrates or nitrites
What the recipe evidence does—and does not—show
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s recipe directly documents cooked chickpeas as a chicken replacement, and Food Network Kitchen provides a tofu potpie method. Other cited recipes list soy curls, seitan, and commercial meatless pieces as possible fillings. These examples support practical ways to make pot pie without chicken, but they do not prove that one substitute tastes, costs, or performs best overall.
Nutrition figures for an individual recipe should not be treated as a comparison between its substitute and chicken. For example, Food Network’s protein figure applies to its complete tofu potpie recipe, not to tofu as a direct nutritional equivalent to chicken.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- No hydrogenated fats or high fructose corn syrup allowed in any food
- No bleached or bromated flour
- No synthetic nitrates or nitrites
Rank #4
- No hydrogenated fats or high fructose corn syrup allowed in any food
- No bleached or bromated flour
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
