Name: Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon white pepper; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 2 large eggs, beaten; vegetable oil for frying; 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 tablespoon lemon zest; 1/2 cup water; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

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Bright, zesty, and absolutely irresistible, this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe is everything you crave from your favorite takeout, but made fresh in your own kitchen. The chicken turns out perfectly golden and crunchy, bathed in a lusciously tangy lemon sauce that’s sweet, savory, and impossible to resist. Whether you’re looking for a new weeknight dinner hero or a dish to wow your friends, this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe is sure to become a regular in your cooking rotation.

Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed at how a handful of pantry staples and a few fresh ingredients create the iconic taste and vibrant color found in restaurant-style Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe. Every ingredient in this dish plays a starring role, from achieving the crisp crust to packing every bite with a burst of citrus.

Chicken breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken for tender, quick-cooking bites that absorb the sauce beautifully.
Salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing out the chicken’s natural flavors.
White pepper: Brings a subtle, aromatic heat that’s classic in Chinese recipes.
Cornstarch: Creates that iconic, shatteringly crisp coating for each piece of chicken.
Eggs: The “glue” for your breading, locking in moisture and helping the crust stick firmly.
Vegetable oil: Ideal for deep frying—it heats evenly and doesn’t overwhelm the flavors.
Lemon juice (freshly squeezed): Brings bright, natural acidity that makes the sauce truly shine.
Lemon zest: Adds pops of citrus aroma and flavor, intensifying the lemony goodness.
Water: Helps balance the sharpness of the citrus and melds the sauce together.
Sugar: Rounds out the lemon’s tartness and gives the sauce that signature sweet tang.
Soy sauce: A little goes a long way, providing umami depth and a hint of color.
Cornstarch slurry: This thickens the sauce so it clings perfectly to every chicken bite.

How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Season and Prep the Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into even, bite-sized pieces to ensure speedy and consistent cooking. Toss the pieces in salt and white pepper—this quick seasoning penetrates the meat and sets up a savory base for everything that follows in the Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

Set out two bowls: one for the cornstarch and one for the beaten eggs. Dip each chicken piece in cornstarch to create that crucial dry layer, then dunk it right into the egg wash. This double-dip technique locks in moisture and creates the irresistible crunch that defines this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe.

Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection

Pour about an inch of vegetable oil into a deep skillet or wok and heat it over medium-high. Working in batches, fry the chicken pieces for 4 to 5 minutes until they’re crispy and deep golden. Drain them briefly on paper towels—don’t be surprised if a few pieces get snatched right away! For super-crispy results, you can do a quick second fry at the end.

Step 4: Prepare the Lemon Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine your freshly squeezed lemon juice, vibrant zest, water, sugar, and soy sauce. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, letting those fragrances fill your kitchen. Pour in the cornstarch slurry while stirring, and watch as the sauce transforms into a glossy, thick glaze—the soul of this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe.

Step 5: Toss and Serve

Transfer your golden chicken to a large bowl, pour the hot lemon sauce over the top, and toss gently to coat every piece. You want each bite to be generously draped in tangy, sweet, silky sauce. Serve immediately, piled high with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or fresh green onions for bonus flavor and crunch.

How to Serve Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

For a stunning finish, garnish your Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe with a scattering of toasted sesame seeds or finely sliced green onions. If you want to go all out, add a few extra lemon zest curls or even some finely diced red chili for a spark of heat and color.

Side Dishes

Nothing pairs better with this dish than a fluffy bed of steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up every last drop of that citrusy sauce. You could also offer sautéed snap peas, broccoli, or a cool cucumber salad for a fresh, crunchy contrast to the chicken’s richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe in a shallow serving platter with extra lemon slices fanned along the edge. For parties, skewer the crispy chicken pieces and drizzle sauce right before serving for a fun, bite-sized appetizer. Or make lettuce cups: pile saucy chicken into crisp lettuce leaves for a lighter, finger-friendly spin.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the chicken and sauce together if possible, so the flavors continue to mingle. Just know the crust will lose some of its original crispness, but the taste remains fantastic.

Freezing

If you want to freeze this dish, it’s best to freeze the fried chicken and sauce separately. Lay the cooled chicken on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer bag, which prevents sticking. The sauce can be poured into a freezer-safe container. Both will keep well for up to two months.

Reheating

For the crispiest results, reheat the chicken in a 375°F oven until hot and crisp, about 10 minutes. Warm up the sauce gently on the stove or in the microwave, then toss the hot chicken with the lemon sauce just before serving to recapture that fresh, tangy magic.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs bring extra juiciness and rich flavor to Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe. Just trim away excess fat and proceed as directed for moist, flavorful results.

How can I make the dish gluten-free?

Simply swap the soy sauce for tamari or another gluten-free alternative and check that your cornstarch comes from a pure source. The rest of the Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe is naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy adjustment.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake the coated chicken pieces on a rimmed baking sheet brushed with oil, at 425°F for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken may not be quite as crispy, but it’s still delicious and a bit lighter.

What’s the secret to super-crispy chicken?

The double-fry method makes all the difference! Fry the pieces until barely golden, let them cool, then fry again for 1–2 minutes. This step creates an extra-shatteringly crispy crust that holds up beautifully in the Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Definitely! Lightly steamed broccoli, snow peas, or sliced bell peppers mix in wonderfully with the chicken and let the lemon sauce coat every bite. It’s a great way to add more color and nutrition to your plate.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something vibrant, crisp, and a little out of the ordinary for dinner, give this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe a try! It’s a surefire way to put a big smile on everyone’s face, and once you master it, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe every time you need a fast but impressive meal. Happy cooking!

Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the tangy and savory flavors of Chinese Lemon Chicken with this easy-to-follow recipe. Crispy fried chicken coated in a zesty lemon sauce, perfect for a delicious homemade takeout experience.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, beaten
vegetable oil for frying

For the lemon sauce:

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)

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Instructions

Prepare the chicken: Season chicken with salt and white pepper. Coat each piece in cornstarch, then egg. Fry until golden and cooked.
Make the lemon sauce: Combine lemon juice, zest, water, sugar, and soy sauce in a saucepan. Thicken with cornstarch slurry.
Combine: Toss fried chicken with lemon sauce. Serve with rice and garnish.