Chinese Lemon Chicken
Chinese Lemon Chicken is a bright and zesty dish combining tender bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a light, crispy batter and coated with a tangy lemon sauce. This quick and easy recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors with a satisfyingly crunchy texture, creating an authentic takeout experience that’s family-friendly and customizable to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Gluten Free (with substitution)
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch (or rice flour for gluten-free)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Lemon Sauce
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or coconut aminos for soy-free)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 tbsp honey or sugar (or natural sweetener like stevia or monk fruit)
For Frying
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Dip each piece first into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated, then thoroughly coat with cornstarch. This layering helps achieve an irresistibly crispy outer texture after frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each batch for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Lemon Sauce: In a separate pan, combine fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chicken broth, soy sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and honey. Simmer the mixture for a few minutes, allowing it to meld and slightly thicken into a glossy, vibrant sauce.
- Combine and Serve: Add the fried chicken pieces to the lemon sauce. Gently toss to coat every piece evenly in the tangy glaze. Serve immediately for the best flavor and crunch.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
- Fry chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- Pat chicken dry before battering for better coating adhesion.
- Simmer the sauce until slightly thickened for clingy coverage.
- Adjust sweetness to taste to balance the tartness perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: lemon chicken, Chinese lemon chicken, crispy chicken, sweet and sour chicken, easy Chinese recipe, gluten-free lemon chicken
Find it online: https://eazyum.com/chinese-lemon-chicken/