A surgical instrument includes a shaft having a proximal end and a bifurcated distal end defining a first shaft portion and a second shaft portion. An end effector assembly is disposed at the distal end of the shaft and includes first and second jaw members. One (or both) of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between an open position and a closed position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members defines an opposed jaw surface and is independently coupled to one of the first and second shaft portions. The first and second shaft portions are configured to flex relative to one another during movement of the jaw members to the closed position to grasp tissue therebetween such that the opposed jaw surfaces of the jaw members are disposed in substantially parallel orientation relative to one another when grasping tissue therebetween.
