Crispy Vegan Chicken Sandwich

I can’t pretend that this recipe is at all about health. This is one hundred percent about cravings! If I didn’t care about my health at all I would probably eat this three to four times a week! I mean, there is protein to gai from it so it’s not a complete waste of calories. There’s also the lettuce which has some nutritional value.

Lettuce is an excellent source of vitamins A and K, which are vital for maintaining healthy vision, skin, and bones. Additionally, lettuce contains antioxidants that help protect cells from damage and reduce inflammation in the body. This leafy green is also high in water content, making it hydrating and a good choice for promoting healthy digestion, so there’s that.

Crispy chicken sandwiches have become a staple in the fast-food industry, offering a satisfying crunch with each bite. The golden, breaded exterior encapsulates tender and juicy plant-based chicken, providing a delightful contrast in texture. Paired with creamy vegan mayo, crisp lettuce, and tangy pickles, these sandwiches offer a harmonious blend of flavors. Whether enjoyed on a lazy weekend afternoon or grabbed on a quick lunch break, crispy chicken sandwiches continue to be a popular choice for many, vegans and non-vegans alike. Every vegan chicken sandwich is good in my opinion but sometimes I really crave that thick and crunchy fried chicken coating. This is the method I think works best to achieve that texture.

For the chicken patty you will need the following things:

• a deep fryer or large pot {if choosing the pot you will also need an oil thermometer, a splatter guard and a frying spider or melt proof slotted spoon}

• a paper towel lined tray

• oil {enough to fill the deep fryer to the marked fill line or fill the pot you have chosen no more than half way up}

• chicken replacement such as thawed gardein chick’n scallopini or firm tofu that you have cut into your desired size and shape, frozen it, thawed it, and then gently squeezed out the excess water.

• 4 cups of flour

• 1/2 cup of water

• 1/2 cup of hot wings sauce {read the label to be sure the butter is imitation and does not contain milk}

• 1 Tablespoon of salt

• 2 Tablespoons of paprika

• 1 Tablespoon of pepper

• 1/2 Tablespoon of garlic powder

• 1 Tablespoon of onion powder

• 2 Tablespoons of cayenne pepper {optional}

Turn your deep fryer on to about 365 degrees Fahrenheit or pour oil into your pot no more than half way up and heat until the thermometer says about 365 degrees Fahrenheit. With the pot method you will have to keep an eye on the temperature, adjusting the stove setting to keep the oil around 365 degrees. You don’t want the oil to get over 375 degrees or you might burn the food. The outer coating will burn before the inside is done cooking.

In a large bowl, mix 1 cup of the flour with the water and hot wings sauce. This is your wet mix.

In another large bowl whisk the remaining flour and the spices together so they are fully combined. This is your dry mix.

Gently dip the chicken replacement into the wet mix and fully coat it. You want to be really gentle with it because they are prone to breaking at this stage.

Place the coated chicken patty into the dry mix. Drizzle a little bit of the wet mix into the dry mix. This will create a thicker coating that will be nice and crispy in the end.

Fry the chicken pieces in the oil until golden brown and crispy. this should only take 3 or 4 minutes. The chicken replacement only needs to be heated through and doesn’t require cooking.

Place thee fried pieces on a paper towel lined tray to drain off the excess oil.

To complete this sandwich you will need the following ingredients:

• A vegan friendly bun [I’m lucky enough to have vegan brioche buns at my local grocery store]

• Vegan mayo [you can use whichever one you like best

• iceberg lettuce

  To assemble the sandwich start with the bun. You can toast them or steam them it’s up to you. Spread on as much mayo as you like, put some lettuce on next. Put the vegan chicken patty on the lettuce and cap it off with the other bun.

  I hope you enjoy this sandwich as much as I do!