MUCH loved by so many, Nando's has been the market leader in grilled Peri-Peri chicken for years now, but it's offering for people who choose not to consume meat have always been limited.

That's why yesterday the restaurant chain launched its new plant-based PERi-PERi chicken alternative, The Great Imitator.

Nando's says the new offering is "packed full of PERi-PERi, made completely from pea protein, and tastes so much like our famous PERi-PERi chicken, even the biggest Nando’s fan will find it hard to tell the difference".

As someone who used to love Nando's before switching to a plant-based diet two years ago, I had to give the new meal a try.

Nando's does already offer a vegetarian Beanie Burger and other meat-free sides, but this is the first chicken alternative on the menu. And Nando's has had to admit that while it is completely vegan, the Great Imitator is cooked on the same grill as chicken - albeit on a meat free area - so some vegans may still choose to avoid it.

I ordered the Great Imitator wrap - hot - with chips and coleslaw, my classic order before giving up meat, for takeaway.

Taking it out of the box, it does look exactly like chicken, although it seemed to be breaded which was unusual for Nando's.

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Eating it, the texture felt exactly like how I remember chicken, and while I can't exactly remember how chicken tastes, this wasn't far off. Combined with the Peri-Peri sauce and seasoning, it was exactly how I remember Nando's tasting.

Priced at £5.90 for the burger, pitta or wrap, it is the same price as normal chicken dishes at the restaurant.

Overall, this definitely gets the seal of approval from me, so for any vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians or people who just want to help protect the environment by eating less meat, I would highly recommend giving The Great Imitator a try.

There are Nando's restaurants, which do eat in and takeaway service, in Centenary Square, at the Leisure Exchange, and at Junction 27 in Birstall.