So you want Lemon Herb Chicken with Coffee Panna Cotta—but you also want to keep your halo and your taste buds?
Girl, this vegan twist brings the zing without the cluck and finishes with a panna cotta so rich, it needs a tax advisor.
We swapped poultry with plant-powered magic, spiked our silky dessert with espresso, and called it a day—because flavor never needed feathers anyway.
Think zesty, creamy, bold, and a little bit dramatic—just like you on a good hair day.
Prepare to impress your taste buds and your judgy cousin who still thinks tofu is sadness in a block.
Lemon Herb Chicken with Coffee Panna Cotta
A tangy, herbaceous “chicken” main dish meets smooth coffee panna cotta. Fully vegan, fully fabulous, and ready for your next flex.
Ingredients
Lemon Herb “Chicken”:
- 1 block extra-firm tofu 14 oz, pressed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tsp dried Italian herbs
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
Coffee Panna Cotta:
- 1½ cups coconut cream
- ½ cup brewed espresso
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp agar agar powder
- Pinch of salt
- Cocoa powder or shaved dark chocolate for garnish
Instructions
- Slice tofu into cutlets.
- Whisk lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, herbs, and soy sauce.
- Marinate tofu for 15 minutes.
- Mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
- Sear tofu cutlets in a skillet until golden and crispy.
- Add slurry to the pan to create a glossy glaze.
- Simmer until sauce thickens and tofu is fully coated.
- For panna cotta, blend coconut cream, espresso, maple, vanilla, salt until smooth.
- Heat mixture in a saucepan. Stir in agar agar.
- Simmer 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour into molds and chill for 1 hour minimum.
- Dust with cocoa or chocolate before serving, like a boss.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
- Calories: 475
- Total Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
Vitamins and Minerals (Per Serving)
- Calcium: 12%
- Iron: 14%
- Vitamin B6: 9%
- Magnesium: 10%
- Vitamin C: 13%
Additional Notes/Tips:
- Add fresh parsley or basil for extra glam.
- For a sweeter panna cotta, drizzle with date syrup.
- Want extra crunch? Toss in roasted chickpeas on the side.
- Espresso too bold? Use strongly brewed decaf—sass optional.
