Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
If you’re craving a perfectly balanced dish that’s crispy, zesty, and just the right amount of sweet, you have to try this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe. It’s the ultimate comfort meal for lemon lovers – golden bites of chicken glazed in a homemade, tangy-sweet sauce that will have everyone at the table reaching for seconds. Whether you’re serving up a family weeknight dinner or inviting friends over for takeout-style fun at home, this is one dish bound to brighten up any meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe lies in its straightforward but thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Every component, from fresh citrus to pantry spices, plays an important part in bringing color, crunch, and vibrant flavor to your plate. Here’s what you’ll gather:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Opt for fresh, tender chicken to ensure juicy bite-sized pieces that soak up every drop of that delicious lemon glaze.
- Cornstarch: This key coating ingredient makes the chicken ridiculously crispy, just like your favorite restaurant version.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs act as the binding layer, helping the coating cling to every nook and cranny of your chicken pieces.
- Salt and black pepper: A simple seasoning that amplifies all the good flavors, making the chicken anything but bland.
- Vegetable oil: Use a neutral, high-heat oil for frying to get an even, golden crust without overpowering the dish.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice: The star of this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe, real lemon juice delivers brightness and an invigorating tang.
- Sugar and honey: The blend of sugar and honey creates that signature sweetness and sticky, glossy finish in the sauce.
- Soy sauce and rice vinegar: These round out the sauce with savory depth and a touch of gentle acidity.
- Fresh ginger and minced garlic: Aromatics that add warmth, punch, and a comforting home-cooked aroma.
- Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch and water): This gives the sauce its luscious thickness—don’t skip it!
How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken pieces dry and seasoning them well with salt and black pepper. Set out one bowl with cornstarch and another with your beaten eggs. Working one piece at a time, dredge each chicken piece in cornstarch, shake off any excess, then dunk it in the egg until it’s thoroughly coated. This double-dipping method is the secret to that irresistible, shatteringly crisp exterior.
Step 2: Fry Until Golden
Pour about an inch of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or wok and bring it up to medium-high heat. Test with a small drop of batter: if it sizzles, your oil is ready. Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to crowd the pan. It should take 4–5 minutes per batch to get a deep golden color and a perfectly cooked center. Drain the finished chicken on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any extra oil.
Step 3: Prepare the Lemon Sauce
In a small saucepan, whisk together fresh lemon juice, sugar, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Place the pan over medium heat and stir frequently as the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Add your cornstarch slurry, whisking as the sauce thickens and turns glossy in just a minute or two. This is where the sweet-and-sour magic of the Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe really shines through.
Step 4: Toss and Serve
Pour the golden fried chicken into the pan with your shimmering lemon sauce. Quickly toss to coat every piece with that irresistible glaze so nothing goes uncovered. The result is gorgeously shiny, aromatic chicken that’s ready to serve up hot. For the finishing touch, add lemon slices or a sprinkle of chopped green onions right before bringing it to the table.
How to Serve Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
The garnish is more than just decoration here—it’s a flavor booster. Scatter a handful of paper-thin lemon slices or a good shower of finely sliced green onions over the top for freshness and pop. For a colorful twist, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or even some chopped cilantro works beautifully.
Side Dishes
This Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe is made to share center stage with simple steamed rice, which soaks up all the extra sauce. For extra crunch and color, serve with crisp stir-fried vegetables, steamed broccoli, or a zippy cucumber salad on the side. And of course, classic fried rice or lo mein noodles make the meal feel just like your favorite takeout night.
Creative Ways to Present
Don’t be afraid to have fun! Pile the chicken high on a serving platter with lots of extra sauce, top artfully with lemon wheels, and add a bright sprinkle of scallions. For parties, try serving the chicken in lettuce cups with a drizzle of sauce or even skewered onto toothpicks as bite-sized appetizers—the crowd will thank you.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you manage to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The coating may lose its crispness a bit, but the flavors will continue to deepen and develop overnight. Keep the rice and chicken separate for best results.
Freezing
Want to make this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe ahead for busy nights? Cool the cooked chicken and sauce completely before freezing in separate airtight containers for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat as needed—keep the sauce and chicken apart until just before serving for the best texture.
Reheating
For the crunchiest results, warm the chicken in a 375°F oven for 10–12 minutes, then heat the sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave. Toss together right before serving so your Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe is as delightful as the day you made it.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will give you a richer, juicier result, and they hold up wonderfully to frying. Just trim any excess fat and cut into even pieces so they cook consistently.
Is it possible to bake or air-fry the chicken for a lighter version?
Yes, you can. Arrange coated chicken pieces on a baking rack and bake at 425°F for about 18–20 minutes, flipping once. For an air fryer, set to 400°F and cook about 10–12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The chicken might not be quite as crispy as deep fried, but you’ll still get lots of crunch and flavor.
How do I make the sauce thicker or thinner?
If you love a thicker glaze, add just a bit more cornstarch to the slurry before whisking into the sauce. For a lighter, pourable sauce, use a little less cornstarch or add a splash of water at the end until you reach your desired consistency.
What’s the best way to zest lemons for extra citrus flavor?
Use a fine microplane or zester to remove just the outer yellow skin of your lemon (not the bitter white pith). Stir a little zest into the sauce or sprinkle some on as a garnish for a fragrant, tangy kick that really amplifies the lemony character of this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe.
Can I make this recipe gluten free?
You can! Just swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative like tamari, and double-check that your cornstarch and all seasonings are certified gluten-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so you’ll still get all the signature taste and crispy magic.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for that sweet spot between weeknight-friendly and truly special, I can’t recommend this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe enough. It’s a joy to cook and even more fun to eat, bringing everyone around the table with its irresistible crunch and bright, lemony flavor. Give it a try – your family and friends will thank you!
Print
Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Tender, crispy chicken pieces are coated in a luscious lemon sauce, creating a delightful dish that’s better than takeout!
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Sauce:
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge in cornstarch, then dip in beaten eggs.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry in hot oil until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the Sauce: Combine lemon juice, sugar, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, and garlic in a saucepan. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
- Combine: Toss fried chicken in the sauce until coated. Serve with rice and garnish as desired.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-fry the chicken or opt for air-frying or baking for a lighter version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup chicken with sauce
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
