Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl mix the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, and seasonings.
Add the water, soy sauce, ketchup, and liquid smoke. Stir until a dough forms - if there are still dry ingredients leftover add water a tablespoon at a time.Knead gently a few times to activate the gluten. Don't overwork the dough or the chicken will become tough.
Divide the dough into 8 pieces. Twist each piece into a rope and then secure it together in a knot. This is what will help create a more shredded chicken-like texture after baking.
Place the knot pieces on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes. If you have a kitchen thermometer, look for an internal temperature of 195°F.
Remove from the oven and let cool until cool enough to handle. Use your hands to untwist and break apart each knot - break into very small shreds.Serve as-is or use in place of chicken in your favorite recipe.