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Vegan Spicy Popcorn Chick'n

3.04 from 29 votes
This vegan spicy popcorn chick'n will impress vegans and non-vegans alike. It's spicy, tender, and perfectly crispy.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people (~25 pieces of popcorn chick'n)
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

To make the seitan chick'n:
  • 1 cup vital wheat gluten*
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 3/4 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
To simmer the seitan chick'n:
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups water
For the chipotle mayo dip:
  • 1/2 cup vegenaise
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  • 1 tbsp adobo sauce
To fry the seitan chick'n:
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 tbsp paprika
  • 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • canola oil

Equipment

  • Food Processor or Blender (to make the chipotle mayo dip)

Method
 

Make the seitan chick'n:
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the vital wheat gluten, nutritional yeast, and spices.
  2. Add the veggie broth and soy sauce to the mixture and stir to combine.
  3. Knead the mixture for ~3 minutes. It will form into a stretchy dough.
  4. Break off small pieces of dough (~1-2 tbsp each) to form your chick'n pieces. Keep in mind that these will expand before frying.
Simmer the seitan chick'n:
  1. Add the broth and water to a large pot over high heat.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. Place your chick'n pieces into the boiling mixture.
  4. Turn the heat to low and place a lid on the pot. Let simmer for about 20-30 minutes until the pieces have approximately doubled in size.
Make the chipotle mayo dip:
  1. If making the chipotle mayo dip to serve the popcorn chick'n with, blend vegenaise, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, and adobo sauce in a food processor (or blender) until fully combined. Set aside while you fry the chick'n.
Fry the seitan chick'n:
  1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and spices.
  2. Add canola oil to a large pot so that it is about 1 - 1 & 1/2 inches high. Place over medium-high heat until hot (~350°F).
  3. For each piece of chick'n, remove it from the broth, coat in the flour mixture, and place it in the oil. Fry for a couple of minutes on each side until crispy. You can fry many pieces at a time as long as they're not overlapping.
  4. Place chick'n on a paper towel to soak up the excess oil. Enjoy with the chipotle mayo dip or your favorite dipping sauce!

Notes

*Vital wheat gluten is a flour-like substance that is high in gluten and resembles a meaty texture when combined with liquid. You can buy it at many grocery stores or online. It cannot be substituted in this recipe. 
**For reheating, use an air fryer or oven to heat at 400°F until crispy.