Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
Chinese Lemon Chicken is a deliciously crispy fried chicken dish tossed in a tangy and sweet lemon sauce, offering a perfect balance of savory and citrus flavors. This classic Chinese-American favorite is quick to prepare and perfect for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cornstarch, for coating
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Lemon Sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Coat each piece evenly with cornstarch to ensure a crispy texture when fried.
- Fry the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat to about 350°F (175°C). Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Make the lemon sauce: In a saucepan, combine water, lemon juice, sugar, soy sauce, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes.
- Toss chicken in the sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces to the lemon sauce, tossing gently to coat evenly with the glossy sauce.
- Serve: Transfer the lemon chicken to a serving plate and garnish with additional lemon zest or sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately hot, ideally with steamed rice or vegetables.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-dip chicken pieces in cornstarch before frying.
- Adjust sugar and lemon juice to balance sweetness and tartness according to your taste.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the frying pan to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in a skillet or oven to maintain texture.
Keywords: Chinese Lemon Chicken, fried chicken, lemon sauce, Chinese-American recipe, crispy chicken
Find it online: https://messykitchenmagic.com/chinese-lemon-chicken-recipe/
