ULTIMATE CRISPY "CHICKEN" SANDWICH RECIPE BY TASTY

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Ultimate Crispy

The crispy chicken sandwich craze gets a vegan makeover! The journey may be a long one, but the destination is well worth it. After you fry your "chicken" breasts to golden brown, serve up your sandwich on a toasted bun with colorful slaw and vegan aioli. Consider any carnivore fooled!

Provided by Betsy Carter

Categories     Lunch

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 32

14 oz cannellini bean
14 oz firm tofu, pressed, cut into large cubes
2 tablespoons olive
1 tablespoon vegan worcestershire sauce
1 vegetable bouillon packet, dissolved in 1 tablespoon warm water
1 tablespoon onion powder, plus 1 teaspoon, divided
2 tablespoons garlic powder, plus 1 teaspoon, divided
2 tablespoons kosher salt, plus 1½ teaspoons, divided, plus more to taste
1 ¾ cups vital wheat gluten, plus 2 tablespoons
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
4 cups oat milk
¾ cup dill pickle juice
2 dashes hot sauce
8 cups canola oil, for frying
¼ cup corn starch
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons cayenne
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups purple cabbage, thinly sliced
1 large carrot, peeled and shredded
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
½ teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
⅓ cup vegan mayonnaise
1 teaspoon garlic paste
1 tablespoon brown mustard
1 dash hot sauce
1 pinch kosher salt
8 vegan brioche buns, toasted
dill pickle, sliced
hot sauce of choice

Steps:

  • In a food processor, combine the cannellini beans and their liquid, the tofu, olive oil, worcestershire sauce, dissolved bouillon, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1½ teaspoons salt. Blend on high speed until smooth and homogenous.
  • Add the vital wheat gluten in batches, blending between additions and scraping down the sides of the bowl to fully incorporate. The mixture should start coming together into a dough.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, until elastic and smooth. Cover with a towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • Divide the dough into 8 equal portions. Lightly sprinkle each piece with flour and roll out to flatten. Using your hands, shape each portion to resemble a chicken breast.
  • Wrap each piece of "chicken" in parchment paper and transfer to a steamer pot. Steam for 80 minutes, flipping halfway through. The steaming process is important to ensure the vital wheat gluten is fully cooked.
  • Towards the end of the steaming, prepare the brine: In a large, shallow dish, whisk together the oat milk, pickle juice, hot sauce, and 1 tablespoon salt.
  • Remove the "chicken" from the steamer and discard the parchment paper. Transfer the warm "chicken" to the brine to marinate for 1-2 hours.
  • Meanwhile, make the quick slaw: In a medium bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and salt. Toss to combine well and set aside.
  • Make the vegan aioli: In a small bowl, combine the vegan mayonnaise, garlic, mustard, hot sauce, and salt. Mix well to combine.
  • Fill a large pot with the canola oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350°F (180°C).
  • While the oil heats, bread the "chicken": In a wide, shallow dish, mix together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, remaining 2 tablespoons garlic powder, remaining tablespoon onion powder, the paprika, cayenne, remaining tablespoon salt, and pepper. Mix together with a fork.
  • Remove the "chicken"from the brine. Lightly coat in the flour mixture, then set aside.
  • Add about ¼ cup (60 ml) of the brining liquid to the flour and mix with a fork to create some clumps, which will fry up to be crispy bits. Dip each floured "chicken" breast in the brine, making sure there are no dry spots. Coat each piece again in the clumpy flour mixture.
  • Working 2 at a time, fry the "chicken" for 3-4 minutes, until deep golden brown and crispy. Transfer the "chicken" to a wire rack and season lightly with salt. Bring the oil temperature back to 350°F (180°C) between batches.
  • To assemble, spread 1 tablespoon of aioli across the bottom of each toasted brioche bun. Top with pickles, a piece chicken, a dash of hot sauce, and about ½ cup (50g) slaw. Top with the top bun.
  • Enjoy!

Judith Kalifa
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This sandwich was delicious! The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was flavorful. I will definitely be making this again.


Md Siraji
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I'm not a huge fan of chicken sandwiches, but this one was really good. The chicken was crispy and juicy, and the sauce was flavorful.


magic ETC
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This sandwich is a must-try. The chicken is perfectly crispy and the sauce is flavorful and tangy. I highly recommend it.


Not_Romen
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This chicken sandwich is amazing! The chicken is so crispy and juicy, and the sauce is delicious. I will definitely be making this again.


Marlin Caceres
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I love this recipe! The chicken is always crispy and juicy, and the sauce is so flavorful. I've made this sandwich several times and it's always a hit.


md Shajan hkan
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This sandwich is so delicious! The chicken is crispy and juicy, and the sauce is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy.


iv Yo
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I'm not usually a fan of chicken sandwiches, but this one was amazing. The chicken was crispy and juicy, and the sauce was tangy and flavorful.


Zain Zaza
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This chicken sandwich is a game-changer. The chicken is perfectly crispy and the sauce is delicious. I highly recommend this recipe.


Sydney Sekgala
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5/5 stars! The chicken was crispy and juicy. The sauce was flavorful and tangy. The brioche bun was soft and buttery. Overall, this was an amazing sandwich.


Safdar Sadiq
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This is the best chicken sandwich I've ever had. The chicken was so crispy and flavorful, and the sauce was the perfect complement.


Erica Hubbard
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I followed the recipe exactly and the sandwich turned out perfect. The chicken was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The sauce was also delicious.


smj nayeem
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This chicken sandwich is the ultimate! The chicken is so crispy and juicy, and the sauce is amazing. I will definitely be making this again.