Vegetarian Nashville Hot Chicken

Get ready to spice things up with this irresistible Vegetarian Nashville Hot Chicken, a plant-based twist on the iconic Southern classic! This bold and flavorful recipe swaps traditional fried chicken for crispy, golden-brown tofu fillets, marinated in tangy buttermilk and hot sauce for extra zest. Coated in a perfectly seasoned blend of flour and cornstarch, then fried to crunchy perfection, the tofu is slathered with a fiery cayenne pepper glaze that delivers a tantalizing heat. Served on toasted hamburger buns with creamy mayonnaise, crisp lettuce, and tangy pickle slices, this dish is perfect for vegetarians craving that signature Nashville kick. Quick to prepare in just 40 minutes, this spicy sandwich makes an epic weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing comfort food for plant-based eaters and spice lovers alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 16 ounces extra-firm tofu
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 cup pickle slices
• 4 hamburger buns
• 1 cup lettuce
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise

Directions

Step 1

Start by draining and pressing the tofu to remove as much moisture as possible. Cut the tofu into 4 large 'fillets'.

Step 2

In a shallow dish, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Submerge the tofu pieces in this mixture, ensuring they are well-coated. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour in the fridge for more flavor.

Step 3

In another bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 4

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F.

Step 5

Take each marinated tofu piece out of the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing on all sides to adhere.

Step 6

Carefully place the tofu pieces in the hot oil and fry for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.

Step 7

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the remaining cayenne pepper, brown sugar, and white vinegar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved, forming a spicy glaze.

Step 8

Brush the glaze over the fried tofu pieces while they are still hot.

Step 9

Toast the hamburger buns lightly, and then spread mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun.

Step 10

Place a piece of the glazed, crispy tofu on the bottom bun, top with lettuce and pickle slices, and then cover with the top bun.

Step 11

Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2017.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6441.4

Total Fat 569.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 86.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 269.3g
Cholesterol 144.5mg	0%
Sodium 6824.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 291.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 80.7g	0%
Total Sugars 29.3g
Protein 152.2g	0%

Vitamin D 126.9IU	0%
Calcium 3647.0mg	0%
Iron 28.7mg	0%
Potassium 2221.3mg	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: 74.3%

Protein: 8.8%

Carbs: 16.9%