Vegan Spicy Fried Chicken

Indulge in the ultimate plant-based comfort food with this Vegan Spicy Fried Chicken recipe—perfectly crispy, boldly spiced, and irresistibly satisfying. Crafted from hearty seitan, this dish mimics the texture and flavor of traditional fried chicken while staying 100% vegan. The secret lies in a three-step coating process featuring a zesty vegan buttermilk marinade, a spiced flour mixture infused with smoked paprika and cayenne, and crunchy panko breadcrumbs. Fried to golden perfection, each piece packs a fiery kick, making it a crowd-pleaser for spice lovers and vegans alike. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or indulgent gatherings. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauces and share a plant-based feast that’s as comforting as it is delicious!

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Plain seitan
• 240 milliliters Unsweetened non-dairy milk
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Hot sauce
• 200 grams All-purpose flour
• 50 grams Cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 100 grams Panko breadcrumbs
• 500 milliliters Vegetable oil

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the vegan buttermilk by combining the unsweetened non-dairy milk and apple cider vinegar in a medium bowl. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it curdles.

Step 2

Stir 2 tablespoons of hot sauce into the vegan buttermilk mixture. Mix well.

Step 3

In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create the flour spice mixture.

Step 4

Lay out a third bowl for the panko breadcrumbs. This will be the final coating layer.

Step 5

Cut the seitan into medium-sized pieces resembling chicken strips or nuggets.

Step 6

Working one piece at a time, dip the seitan into the flour mixture to coat it lightly. Then dip it into the vegan buttermilk mixture, ensuring it is fully covered and wet. Finally, coat it thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs.

Step 7

Repeat this process for all pieces of seitan and set them aside on a plate.

Step 8

In a large, deep skillet or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat until it reaches about 180°C (350°F). You can test if it's ready by dropping a small piece of breadcrumb into the oil; it should sizzle immediately.

Step 9

Carefully add the coated seitan pieces to the hot oil in batches. Fry each batch for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.

Step 10

Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the fried seitan from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.

Step 11

Serve the crispy vegan spicy fried chicken hot with your favorite dipping sauces or sides.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1632.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5882.0

Total Fat 462.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 284.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 5105.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 334.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.1g	0%
Total Sugars 8.5g
Protein 161.6g	0%

Vitamin D 101.4IU	0%
Calcium 641.0mg	0%
Iron 28.9mg	0%
Potassium 1360.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.7%

Protein: 10.5%

Carbs: 21.7%