Daring Foods has made headlines with their plant-based chicken alternative, Daring Chicken. As more consumers look to incorporate meatless options into their diets Daring Chicken aims to perfectly mimic the taste texture and cooking properties of traditional chicken. But what exactly is this seemingly too-good-to-be-true vegan chicken made of? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make Daring Chicken such a convincing chicken impersonator.
Daring Chicken’s Main Protein Source – Soy
The key ingredient used to replicate chicken’s characteristic protein content in Daring Chicken is soy. Soy protein is extracted from soybeans and contains all of the essential amino acids needed in the human diet. Daring Chicken contains 9-14 grams of soy protein per serving, delivering comparable protein levels to conventional chicken. Soy protein can be processed into various textured forms like chunks, strips and fibers that lend the same meaty bite and shredded texture as animal proteins. The soy protein allows Daring Chicken to mimic the protein content that consumers expect from chicken, letting it work as a true 1:1 substitute in recipes.
Simple, Plant-Based Flavors
While the soy protein replicates the chicken texture and nutrition, natural spices and flavors are what give Daring Chicken the taste of savory chicken we know and love. Rather than artificial or chemical flavorings, Daring Chicken uses herb and spice blends to produce each variety’s flavor profile.
For example, the original Daring Chicken contains paprika, black pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace and cardamom. The spicy cajun flavor features paprika, chili flakes, cumin, oregano, thyme and more. Lemon and herb Daring Chicken gets its fresh flavor from oregano, thyme, rosemary and cardamom. Simply using the right proportions of these real, recognizable seasonings allows Daring Chicken to achieve the aromas and flavors people expect from chicken, without any artificial or processed additives.
Oil for Cooking Versatility
To cook and brown like conventional chicken, Daring Chicken contains a small amount of vegetable oil. The neutral, high smoke-point oils like sunflower and canola give Daring Chicken the versatility to be cooked through sautéing, frying or baking. The oil ensures that Daring Chicken achieves that appetizing golden-brown exterior and tender interior when cooked, unlike plain soy protein. Just a couple teaspoons of oil per serving lets Daring Chicken mimic the cooking properties of chicken without significantly increasing the fat and calorie content.
Nutrition Similar to Chicken, Without the Drawbacks
Thanks to the simple, plant-based ingredients, Daring Chicken offers a complete nutritional profile close to chicken, while avoiding the negative health and environmental impacts of actual chicken production.
Per 2.5oz serving, Daring Chicken has 90-200 calories, 0g of saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol and 400-760mg sodium depending on variety. This is similar to a conventional frozen chicken strip serving. However, Daring Chicken contains no preservatives, no sugar, and is a source of fiber, unlike animal chicken. It also has no antibiotics, hormones, or GMOs. For consumers looking for the nutrition of chicken in a more environmentally friendly, sustainable and health-conscious form, Daring Chicken delivers.
The Bottom Line
Daring Chicken is able to fully mimic the experience of eating chicken through its use of soy protein for texture spice blends for flavor and vegetable oil for cooking versatility. The thoughtful mix of plant proteins, fats and seasonings allows Daring Chicken to achieve the taste, nutrition, and preparation satisfaction of chicken using 100% plant ingredients. So next time you’re wondering what gives this convincing vegan chicken its chicken-y qualities, remember it’s the strategic use of soy, spices and oil that make Daring Chicken live up to its name. With its realistic protein content and flavor, Daring Chicken makes going plant-based easy and enjoyable.
Lemon and Herb daring pieces
The Lemon and Herb daring pieces have the same texture, profile, and ingredients (with the addition of extra spices) as the original pieces.
They lean more herby than they do lemon-y. The lemon flavor is not overpowering and more just a hint. If you wish for more, you could squeeze some extra lemon juice on it.
Ingredients: Water, soy protein concentrate, sunflower oil, natural flavoring, spices (Lemon peel, oregano, thyme, garlic, lemongrass, rosemary, onion, cardamom, pepper and dextrose).
The cajun daring pieces are a spicier version of the other two grilled versions. It isn’t overly spicy, but it definitely has a kick that hits more towards the end of your bit.
Again the ingredients, taste and texture are the same as the previous ones, except it enhances a bit more with the spices.
We both agreed that we liked this one the best out of all three, though we couldn’t use it all the time, especially since our youngest doesn’t like a lot of spice.
Ingredients: Water, soy protein concentrate, sunflower oil, natural flavoring, spices (Paprika, chili flakes, cumin, lemon peel, chili powder, oregano, onion, thyme, garlic, pepper and dextrose).
The nugget version of the daring line, but they are not nuggets, they are pieces. daring dares to be a step-up to other products on the market.
We both really liked these, especially compared to other products on the market. The texture is so similar, without the mush and weird pull that some vegan nuggets give. The breading was simple and crispy.
Larisha did say that she wished the seasoning was more enhanced on these, but Andrew thought they were great how it was made.
Ingredients: Water, SOY protein-concentrate, sunflower oil, salt, natural flavoring, spices (paprika, pepper, ginger, nutmeg, mace, cardamom), WHEAT flour, canola oil, water, yellow corn flour, potato starch, rice flour, salt, leavening (cream of tartar, sodium acid pyrophosphate, sodium bicarbonate, monocalcium phosphate), sugar, dextrose, garlic, onion, yeast, paprika. CONTAINS WHEAT, SOY.
Overall, we were just so highly impressed with each of the products.
How does daring taste reheated?
We will say that the texture changed a bit when reheated. It was more tough and while edible and still tasty, not as enjoyable as it would be straight out of the skillet.
For that reason, we would recommend only making enough that you would eat when making the dish
Daring Lemon & Herb Plant Chicken
FAQ
Is daring chicken healthy?
Daring Plant Chicken is generally considered a healthier alternative to traditional chicken, particularly for those prioritizing plant-based, gluten-free, and cholesterol-free options. It’s made from non-GMO soy protein and is a good source of protein and fiber.
What are the ingredients in daring chicken?
Daring Plant Chicken pieces are made primarily from soy protein concentrate, combined with sunflower and/or canola oil, and seasoned with natural flavors and spices.
How healthy is plant-based chicken?
Yes, but it’s not a 1:1 chicken replacement in terms of nutrition. Plant-based meat products are healthier than their natural counterparts, overall. They offer lower fat content and sodium, more fiber, and a lower calorie count.
What does plant-based chicken taste like?
WHAT DOES VEGAN CHICKEN TASTE LIKE? It tastes like chicken, although the exact flavour varies between brands and what type of product it is.Sep 29, 2022