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Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 31 reviews

This Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe features crispy, golden-fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy and slightly sweet lemon sauce. Perfectly balanced with sesame seeds, green onions, and lemon zest, this dish brings vibrant flavors and a delightful crunch to your dinner table in just 35 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • Oil for frying (canola or vegetable oil)

Lemon Sauce and Garnish

  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and lightly tenderize the meat.
  2. Prepare Coatings: In one bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and cornstarch thoroughly to create the dry coating mix.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first into the beaten eggs, ensuring an even coat, then dredge it fully in the flour and cornstarch mixture, making sure each piece is well coated for maximum crispiness.
  4. Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches without crowding the pan, frying each piece for about 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
  5. Make the Lemon Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar.
  6. Thicken the Sauce: Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes until it slightly thickens, becoming glossy but not too viscous to coat the chicken evenly.
  7. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Pour the prepared lemon sauce over the fried chicken in the skillet. Stir carefully to coat all pieces evenly with the tangy sauce.
  8. Garnish: Sprinkle the sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and grated lemon zest over the sauced chicken to add aroma, texture, and a fresh citrus pop.
  9. Serve: Serve hot, ideally accompanied by steamed rice or a fresh vegetable side dish to complement the bright and crispy lemon chicken.

Notes

  • For a thicker sauce, you can add a cornstarch slurry (1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water) to the lemon sauce while simmering.
  • Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled lemon juice may affect the brightness of the dish.
  • Maintain oil temperature while frying to avoid greasy chicken.
  • You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
  • Leftovers can be kept refrigerated for up to 2 days; reheat gently to preserve crispiness.

Keywords: Chinese Lemon Chicken, Crispy Lemon Chicken, Fried Chicken, Asian Chicken Recipe, Lemon Sauce Chicken

Find it online: https://foodiecara.com/chinese-lemon-chicken-recipe/