Chicken dishes without the soy hiding in the seasoning

Stir-fries, teriyaki-style chicken, glazed wings and many marinades commonly use soy sauce. Miso soups and sauces are another clear source, while tofu may appear in mixed bowls or broths. Breaded chicken, nuggets, pizza dough, wraps, stock cubes and bottled dressings can contain soy flour or soy lecithin, so the label matters even when the recipe contains no obvious soy ingredient.

Build flavour with garlic, ginger, spring onion, chilli, lime or rice vinegar, then add salt to taste. A little toasted sesame oil can provide depth, but check the bottle and use it only if sesame is suitable for the person eating. Keep the chicken and vegetables in a clean pan, and use a homemade sauce rather than replacing soy sauce with a packaged stir-fry sauce, which often contains soy.

Read every packaged ingredient, especially stock, curry paste, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, breading, wraps, pizza bases and spice blends. Look for soy, soya, soybean, edamame, tofu, tempeh, miso and soy lecithin, and check allergen advice for shared manufacturing when the allergy is severe. If one person is avoiding soy, use clean utensils and a clean pan so a familiar chicken dish does not become unsafe through leftover sauce or crumbs.