Prepare Vegan “Chicken”: Heat olive oil in a skillet. Toss tofu cubes with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Sauté tofu until golden and slightly crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Start the Soup: In a large pot, heat oil. Sauté onion and garlic until soft and dramatic-smelling, about 4 minutes.
Add mushrooms and thyme. Cook until mushrooms soften and release all their theatrical moisture, about 7 minutes.
Pour in broth and coconut milk. Stir like you mean it.
Add nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes on low heat.
Blend half the soup for creaminess (optional), then return it to the pot like it never left.
Add crispy tofu “chicken” into the soup and let it soak in all that flavorful magic for 3–5 minutes.
Taste, adjust seasoning, and ladle into bowls like the kitchen goddess you are.