Description
This Vegan Orange Chicken recipe features crispy fried tofu nuggets coated in a sweet and tangy homemade orange sauce bursting with ginger, garlic, and a hint of spice. It’s a delicious plant-based twist on a classic favorite, perfect for tofu lovers and those new to it alike. Serve over steamed rice for a satisfying vegan meal.
Ingredients
Tofu:
- ½ cup neutral oil (canola recommended)
- 1 package tofu (16 oz / 454 g)
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup cornstarch
- ¼–⅓ cup water
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Sauce:
- 1 cup orange juice
- ⅓–½ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha (optional)
- 2 teaspoons crushed ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
Instructions
- Prepare Tofu: Press and pat dry the tofu to remove excess moisture. There’s no need to press if using Trader Joe’s High Protein Tofu. Break the tofu into small, roughly 1-inch nuggets. The rough edges help the batter adhere and create crispiness.
- Make Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and garlic powder. Gradually add ¼ to ⅓ cup of water while whisking to form a slightly runny batter—not too thick.
- Coat Tofu: Dip the tofu nuggets into the batter, ensuring each piece is evenly coated with the mixture.
- Fry Tofu: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in the oil. Once hot, carefully add the battered tofu pieces one by one. Fry for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Remove the tofu and place on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Prepare Sauce: In a separate mixing bowl, combine orange juice, sugar, tamari (or soy sauce), rice vinegar, Sriracha (if using), crushed ginger, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, cornstarch, and orange zest. Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
- Cook Sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into a clean skillet over medium heat. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens. If using the same skillet from frying, be sure to remove excess oil before adding the sauce.
- Toss Tofu in Sauce: Add the crispy fried tofu nuggets to the thickened sauce. Stir gently to coat all pieces evenly with the orange sauce.
- Serve: Serve the vegan orange chicken tofu hot over steamed white or brown rice and enjoy!
Notes
- For an oil-free option, consider baking the battered tofu instead of frying.
- Freeze and thaw the tofu before cooking to achieve a chicken-like texture.
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
