Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Chinese Lemon Chicken is a deliciously tangy and crispy dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special meal. The golden fried chicken coated in a bright, lemony sauce offers a balance of sweet and savory flavors that everyone will love.

Ingredients

• 2.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 1/2 tablespoons corn starch
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1 lemon (juice and 3 slices)
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup corn starch
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Cooking oil, as needed
• 1 onion
• 1 teaspoon garlic

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine the chicken breast, soy sauce, and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir to mix well and let it marinate for 20 to 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: In another bowl, mix together chicken broth, granulated sugar, lemon juice, corn starch, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and the lemon slices until smooth.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, corn starch, remaining 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and baking powder until you get a smooth batter.
4. Step 4: Add the marinated chicken pieces to the batter and toss until they are completely coated.
5. Step 5: Heat cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, fry the coated chicken pieces until golden brown and crisp. Remove using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
6. Step 6: Drain all but a small amount of oil from the pan. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 1 minute.
7. Step 7: Add the garlic and continue cooking on high heat until the onion caramelizes nicely.
8. Step 8: Pour in the lemon sauce mixture and stir well, cooking until the sauce begins to thicken.
9. Step 9: Return the fried chicken to the pan and stir to coat evenly with the thickened lemon sauce.
10. Step 10: Serve the lemon chicken hot, ideally over steamed rice, and enjoy your vibrant and flavorful meal!

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken pieces by frying them twice, letting them cool between frying.
• Substitute soy sauce with tamari for a gluten-free option.
• Add a pinch of red chili flakes in the sauce for a spicy kick.
• Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store leftover lemon chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to maintain the crispiness of the chicken. Avoid microwaving directly as it can make the batter soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used as a juicier alternative. Adjust cooking time to ensure they are fully cooked through.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. Prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then assemble and reheat when ready to serve. Just keep the fried chicken separate from the sauce until reheating to keep it crispy.

Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 72 reviews

• Author: Cleo
• Total Time: 60 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Chinese Lemon Chicken is a flavorful, crispy fried chicken dish coated in a tangy and sweet lemon sauce. The chicken breast is marinated, battered, fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a luscious lemon sauce infused with garlic and onion, making a perfect dish to enjoy over steamed rice.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Marinade

• 2.5 pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper (divided)

Lemon Sauce

• 1 cup Chicken Broth
• 1/3 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Corn Starch
• 1 1/4 teaspoons Salt (divided)
• 1 Lemon (juice)
• 3 slices Lemon
• 1 Onion
• 1 teaspoon Garlic (minced)

Batter

• 2 Eggs
• 1/4 cup Corn Starch
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• Ground Black Pepper (1/2 teaspoon)
• Salt (1/2 teaspoon)

Other

• Cooking Oil (as needed for frying)

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Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken. In a bowl, combine the boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces with soy sauce and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper. Stir well to coat all pieces evenly. Let the chicken marinate for 20-30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
2. Prepare the lemon sauce. In a separate bowl, mix together chicken broth, granulated sugar, lemon juice from one lemon, corn starch, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and lemon slices. Stir until well combined and set aside.
3. Make the batter. In another bowl, whisk together eggs, 1/4 cup corn starch, baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth and lump-free.
4. Coat the chicken in batter. Add the marinated chicken pieces into the batter bowl and stir until all pieces are evenly coated.
5. Fry the chicken. Heat cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the battered chicken pieces and fry until they turn golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 4-6 minutes per batch. Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
6. Sauté the aromatics. Pour out most of the oil from the pan, leaving a small amount for flavor. Add the sliced onion and cook for 1 minute over medium heat.
7. Add garlic and caramelize the onion. Add minced garlic to the pan and increase heat to high. Stir and cook until the onion is caramelized and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
8. Cook the lemon sauce. Pour the prepared lemon sauce into the pan with onions and garlic. Stir continuously as it heats, allowing the sauce to thicken and bubble gently.
9. Combine chicken with sauce. Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried chicken back into the pan. Toss and stir thoroughly to coat every piece of chicken with the tangy lemon sauce.
10. Serve and enjoy. Remove from heat and serve the Chinese Lemon Chicken hot, ideally over steamed white rice or your favorite grain. Garnish with remaining lemon slices if desired.

Notes

• For extra crispiness, double fry the chicken by frying once until just cooked, draining, then frying again to deepen the golden color.
• Adjust sugar and lemon juice in the sauce to taste for preferred sweetness or tartness.
• Use fresh lemon juice for the best brightness in flavor.
• Chicken breasts can be substituted with boneless thighs for a juicier texture.
• Ensure oil temperature is hot enough before frying to avoid soggy chicken.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Keywords: lemon chicken, Chinese recipe, fried chicken, lemon sauce, crispy chicken, easy Chinese dinner