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A plate of vegan Vietnamese fried chicken with herbs, red rice, fresh lime, cherry tomatoes, and garnished with basil and mint leaves, with chopsticks resting on the side.
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5 from 1 vote

Vegan Vietnamese Fried Chicken Recipe

Golden, crackly fried “chicken” with a shatter-y yuba skin, dripping in vegan nước chấm, parked next to aromatic tomato and annatto jasmine rice with hella herbs and other nice things. This is one of those meals where you take a bite and immediately nod at yourself like “Nah son. This is my hyperfixation meal for the week.”
Prep Time12 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Cooling Time15 minutes
Total Time57 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 481kcal
Author: Adam Sobel
Cost: $14

Ingredients

For the Tomato Rice:

For the Fried Chicken:

To Serve:

  • ¼ cup vegan nước chấm
  • Cucumber slices
  • Cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • Thai basil leaves
  • Cilantro leaves
  • Mint leaves

Instructions

For the Rice:

  • Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear, then drain thoroughly.
  • Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. After 90 seconds when the oil is hot, add the annatto powder and drained rice and stir-fry it in the hot oil for about 2 minutes to release the annatto’s color and thoroughly coat the rice grains in the hot oil.
  • Stir in the tomato paste, garlic, tamari, sugar, and the water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Cover, reduce to low heat, and cook for 15-17 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Remove from the heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff gently before serving.

For the Fried Chicken:

  • In a dry pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, toast the star anise, cinnamon sticks, ginger, and white pepper for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
  • Add the vegetable stock, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Add the seitan pieces then reduce to low heat and simmer for 20 minutes, turning the seitan once halfway through. Remove from the heat and let the seitan cool in the liquid for 15 minutes. Remove the seitan and pat dry. Discard the aromatics and reserve the liquid.
  • Soak the yuba sheets in the remaining warm stock until pliable, then gently separate into manageable pieces. Wrap each piece of seitan tightly in yuba, trimming excess as needed, and press lightly to adhere.
  • Heat oil in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. After 2 minutes, when the oil is hot, add the wrapped seitan in a single layer without crowding. Fry for 3 minutes per side, turning carefully, until the exterior is evenly golden and crisp. Transfer to a wire rack to drain and cool slightly.
  • Once cool to the touch, place the chicken piece in a bowl and toss it with the vegan nước chấm
  • Serve the fried seitan with the tomato rice, cucumber slices, fresh herbs, and sliced chilies.

Notes

🧻 Dry Me a River
Pat the simmered seitan completely dry before wrapping it in yuba. Excess moisture turns into steam during frying and will hinder you from getting that crrrunch you want so badly.
🍲 Dutch Oven and Order
Fry in a Dutch oven whenever possible since the tall sides help contain oil splatter. Your stovetop stays cleaner that way.
🛢️ Halfway There, Baby
Make sure the oil reaches at least halfway up the wrapped seitan. Shallow oil leads to uneven browning and way too much babysitting.
🪟 Rack City, Not Paper Town
Give the fried seitan a breather on a wire rack, about a few minutes before serving. Air circulation keeps the bottom from steaming and turning soggy as it cools.

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 1164mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 190IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg