Vegan Grilled Chicken with Tomato Sauce
Discover the ultimate plant-based indulgence with this Vegan Grilled "Chicken" with Tomato Sauce—a dish that combines smoky grilled tofu with a rich, herb-infused tomato sauce for a truly satisfying meal. Using firm tofu expertly marinated in soy sauce, smoky paprika, and aromatic spices, this recipe mirrors the juicy texture of grilled chicken while remaining entirely vegan. The homemade tomato sauce, simmered with fresh basil, oregano, garlic, and tangy lemon juice, adds an explosion of Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Perfect for a hearty dinner or an elegant main course, this recipe is ready in under an hour and is ideal for impressing both vegans and non-vegans alike. Serve it with pasta, crusty bread, or a green salad for a complete, flavor-packed experience.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 400 grams Firm tofu
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
- 400 milliliters Tomato sauce
- 400 grams Canned diced tomatoes
- 10 leaves Fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 cloves Garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
Instructions
Press the tofu to remove excess water by wrapping it in a clean kitchen towel and placing a heavy object on top. Let it sit for about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and soy sauce.
Cut the pressed tofu into 1/2-inch thick slices resembling chicken fillets.
Brush both sides of the tofu slices with the prepared marinade and let them sit for at least 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Add the marinated tofu slices and grill for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and grill marks appear. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the sauce, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Finely chop the garlic cloves, then add them to the saucepan. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the tomato sauce and canned diced tomatoes to the saucepan.
Stir in chopped basil leaves, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Allow the sauce to simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
Add lemon juice to the sauce, stir well, and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve the grilled tofu over a plate and generously spoon the tomato sauce over the top.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1074 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 80.0 g | 103% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.6 g | 63% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 8 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 4607 mg | 200% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47.7 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.9 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.2 g | ||
| Protein | 53.8 g | 108% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 829 mg | 64% | |
| Iron | 10.8 mg | 60% | |
| Potassium | 1650 mg | 35% | |
*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.
