This Vegan Tofu Chicken is a vegan chicken substitute you can easily make at home! With just four ingredients this tofu chicken is perfect for sandwiches, salads, and more.
One of my go-to recipes on my site is my seitan chicken - it's such a great chicken substitute. It nails the texture, shape, and flavor of chicken so perfectly. But I know making seitan all the time can be a bit tricky. Even though takes less than half an hour, it's still labor intensive, and not everyone can eat gluten!
So, I made a tofu chicken! Tofu is a bit more limiting than seitan in terms of shape - you really can only slice or cube it. BUT the flavor you can get is unmatched. And this recipe is significantly quicker than the seitan counterpart.
I have been loving this tofu chicken on sandwiches, but it's also great as a skewer or on salads.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Vegan Tofu Chicken
- Tastes like chicken - seriously! A little savory, with Italian seasoning herbs. You'll be surprised by how good this 'chicken' tastes
- Dietary needs - this sandwich is vegan and refined sugar free. It's easily made oil-free, and gluten-free with a gf roll.
- Versatile - Use it in sandwiches, salads, bowls, and wraps
- Budget-Friendly - protein that's much cheaper than store bought vegan chickens
- Really quick - Ready in under 20 minutes
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
- Super Firm Tofu: look for super firm tofu, this is the vacuum packed tofu that is pre-pressed. This tofu holds up significantly better than any other firmness level. If you can't find super firm, use extra firm instead
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: for cooking, optional
- Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos: this adds salty flavor. For gluten-free, use tamari or liquid aminos
- Maple Syrup or Agave: for a bit of sweetness and to help with caramelization. I typically use agave, but maple syrup works the same!
- Italian Seasoning: this is the real magic of the tofu chicken. The flavors of the herbs are those that we associate with chicken, so the tofu takes on a more chicken-like vibe
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1. Slice the tofu into thin rectangles.
Step 2. Heat the oil, if using, in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the tofu and cook 3-5 minutes per side until each side is golden brown and the tofu is firmer in texture.
Step 3. Add the soy sauce, agave, and Italian seasoning Stir well and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the seasonings have evenly coated the tofu and the tofu is deep brown.
Pro Tip: Wait until the tofu is lightly golden before adding the soy sauce mixture. This helps the tofu absorb flavor without becoming watery.
Ways To Use Vegan Tofu Chicken
This tofu chicken works in so many different recipes. Try it in:
- A sandwich: my vegan chicken bacon ranch sandwich, vegan pesto sandwich, banh mi tofu sandwich
- Skewers, like my vegan grilled chicken skewers
- Wraps and grain bowls
- Salads like my plant-based caesar salad
- Pasta dishes
How To Customize The Flavor
One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is.
You can easily change the seasoning profile depending on how you plan to use it:
- smoked paprika + garlic for BBQ-style
- buffalo sauce for spicy wraps
- lemon pepper for salads
- curry seasoning for bowls
- taco seasoning for tacos or burritos
Elizabeth's Kitchen Notes
- Slice the tofu thin but not paper thin: the thinner the slice the more flavor you'll get in each chicken piece. But if you slice too thin the tofu will just fall apart.
- Use super firm tofu when possible: the texture is so much firmer
- Be patient when browning the tofu: the longer you let the tofu brown, the firmer the resulting chicken pieces will be
- Resist turning up the heat: if the heat is up too high when you add the agave it will burn instead of caramelizing. Medium high is as high as you should go.
- Cook in batches: depending on the size of your pan it's easier to cook this recipe in batches to allow the tofu to brown quicker. I often cook in two separate pans.
FAQ & Expert Tips
Extra-firm or super firm tofu gives the best texture.
Yes. Bake at 400, first with just oil (or with nothing for oil-free) then add the soy sauce, agave, and seasoning and bake again until the liquid has evaporated.
The texture and seasoning help mimic chicken flavor, especially in sandwiches.
Thin slices work best for a more chicken-like texture and better browning.
Recipe Prayer
Thank you God for this flavorful tofu chicken. Let it fuel and nourish our bodies. Amen.
Recipes that use this tofu chicken
Tried this recipe?
Please leave a review in the comments section below and post on Instagram tagging me @elizabeths_table. You can also stay in touch with me on social media by following me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok or by subscribing to my newsletter.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Tofu Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 16 Ounce Block Super Firm Tofu
- 2 Teaspoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil for cooking, optional
- ¼ Cup Soy Sauce, Tamari, or Liquid Aminos
- 2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup or Agave
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Slice the tofu into thin rectangles.
- Heat the oil, if using, in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the tofu and cook 3-5 minutes per side until each side is golden brown and the tofu is firmer in texture.
- Add the soy sauce, agave, and Italian seasoning Stir well and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the seasonings have evenly coated the tofu and the tofu is deep brown.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate.
Comments
No Comments