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Vegan Butter Chicken

Vegan Butter Chicken

This Vegan Butter Chicken pairs crispy, oven baked tofu with a luxuriously creamy and spiced tomato coconut sauce. It's a rich, dairy free, and utterly comforting twist on the Indian classic that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian-Inspired, Vegan
Servings 6
Calories 327 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Tofu

  • 2 16 ounce blocks extra firm tofu
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons vegan butter
  • 1 large onion diced small
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 ounces tomato paste
  • 1 13.5 ounce can full fat coconut milk

For Serving

  • 4 cups cooked white or brown rice
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • Easy Vegan Naan for serving

Instructions
 

Press the Tofu

  • Wrap the blocks of tofu in paper towels. Place a plate or pan on top and weigh it down with a couple of heavy books or cans. Let the tofu press for 20 minutes. If using super-firm tofu, you can skip this step.

Bake the Tofu

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice each pressed tofu block into about 6 slices. Using your hands, tear each slice into medium large, craggy pieces. You can also cut them into cubes, but tearing gives a better texture.
  • Add the tofu pieces to a large zip top bag along with the olive oil, cornstarch, and salt. Seal the bag and shake gently until the pieces are evenly coated. Arrange the tofu in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.

Prepare the Sauce

  • While the tofu bakes, melt the vegan butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the grated ginger and minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  • Stir in the garam masala, curry powder, ground coriander, cayenne pepper, and salt. Cook for 30 seconds to bloom the spices. Add the tomato paste and full fat coconut milk. Whisk until the sauce is completely smooth and combined. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium low. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until it has thickened slightly.

Combine and Serve

  • When the tofu is done baking, carefully add the crispy pieces to the skillet with the sauce. Gently stir to coat every piece. Serve immediately over cooked rice with a side of Easy Vegan Naan and a generous garnish of chopped fresh cilantro.

Notes

This is also excellent with roasted cauliflower instead of tofu. For a lighter version, you can substitute light coconut milk, but the sauce will not be as rich and creamy. To make this recipe oil free, omit the olive oil and vegan butter. Use a silicone mat for baking the tofu and sauté the aromatics in water or vegetable broth.