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Chinese Lemon Chicken

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  • Author: Maria B. Evans
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stir-Fry, Deep-Fry
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Description

 

This Chinese Lemon Chicken is crispy, tangy, and coated in a delicious sweet-savory lemon sauce. It’s just like the takeout favorite but even better when made at home! Serve it with rice or noodles for a satisfying meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 egg (beaten)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup water (adjust for consistency)
  • Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Lemon Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

For Garnish:

  • Sesame seeds
  • Green onions (chopped)
  • Lemon slices

Instructions

1. Prepare the Batter & Fry the Chicken:

  1. In a bowl, season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix cornstarch and beaten egg until a thick paste forms. Toss the chicken pieces in this mixture.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and water to make a smooth batter.
  4. Heat oil in a deep pan or wok to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Dip the coated chicken pieces into the batter, then fry until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per batch). Drain on a paper towel.

2. Make the Lemon Sauce:

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine lemon juice, sugar, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Stir well.
  2. Once the mixture starts to simmer, add the cornstarch slurry and stir until the sauce thickens (about 2 minutes).
  3. Stir in the lemon zest and remove from heat.

3. Assemble the Dish:

  1. Pour the lemon sauce over the crispy chicken and toss gently to coat.
  2. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and lemon slices.
  3. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken by frying once at 325°F (160°C), resting it for a few minutes, and frying again at 375°F (190°C).
  • Adjust the sauce sweetness by adding more or less sugar/honey.
  • Add red pepper flakes for a spicy kick!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion
  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 25g
  • Cholesterol: 65mg