Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

Introduction

This Chinese Lemon Chicken offers a perfect balance of tangy citrus and crispy, tender chicken bites. It’s a delightful dish that’s quick to prepare and sure to impress your family or guests with its vibrant flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into cubes
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (for marinade)
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp cornstarch (for sauce)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (for coating)
• Oil for frying

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine the chicken cubes with soy sauce and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for 30 minutes.
2. Step 2: While the chicken marinates, mix lemon juice, sugar, water, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Set the sauce mixture aside.
3. Step 3: Add the flour and 1/2 cup cornstarch to the marinated chicken. Toss well to evenly coat each piece.
4. Step 4: Heat oil in a pot about three inches deep to 350°F (medium-high heat). Fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding and sticking. Cook until golden brown.
5. Step 5: Transfer fried chicken pieces to a skillet. Once all chicken is cooked, turn off the oil and heat the skillet over medium-high.
6. Step 6: Pour the prepared sauce into the skillet and toss the chicken pieces until they are well coated and the sauce thickens, just a few seconds.
7. Step 7: Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the crispy, tangy lemon chicken.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double fry the chicken pieces by frying them once, letting them rest for a few minutes, then frying again until golden.
• Try using chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat, but be careful not to overcook it to keep it tender.
• Add a pinch of chili flakes to the sauce for a spicy lemon twist.
• Serve over steamed rice or with sautéed vegetables for a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat to keep the coating crispy. Avoid microwaving directly as it can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breast can be used. Just keep an eye on cooking time to avoid drying it out, as breast meat is leaner and cooks faster.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

If the sauce isn’t thick enough, mix a little more cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce while heating until it reaches your desired consistency.

Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 130 reviews

This Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe features crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces coated with a tangy, sweet lemon sauce. Perfect as a satisfying main dish, it combines marinated chicken thighs fried to perfection and tossed in a vibrant lemon glaze for a delightful balance of flavors and textures.

• Author: Lena
• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken

• 1 lb chicken thighs (cut into cubes)
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (for marinade)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch (for coating)
• Oil for frying (about 3 inches deep)

For the Lemon Sauce

• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp lemon zest

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine chicken thigh cubes with 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it marinate for 30 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize.
2. Prepare the Lemon Sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine lemon juice, sugar, water, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, and lemon zest in a small bowl. Stir thoroughly to dissolve the sugar and cornstarch, then set aside.
3. Coat the Chicken: Add 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup cornstarch to the marinated chicken. Toss the pieces thoroughly to ensure an even, thick coating, which will help achieve a crispy texture when fried.
4. Heat the Oil: In a deep pot or wok, heat oil about 3 inches deep over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Maintaining this temperature is key to crispy, non-greasy chicken.
5. Fry the Chicken: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry until they turn golden brown and are fully cooked inside, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Avoid overcrowding as that lowers the oil temperature and results in greasy chicken.
6. Drain and Transfer: Use a slotted spoon to remove fried chicken and place the pieces into a clean skillet. This skillet will be used to toss the chicken with the lemon sauce.
7. Cook the Sauce: Once all the chicken is fried and the oil is turned off, place the skillet on medium-high heat. Pour in the prepared lemon sauce and stir constantly until the sauce thickens and becomes glossy, only a few seconds.
8. Toss Chicken in Sauce: Quickly add the fried chicken pieces back into the skillet with the thickened lemon sauce. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is well coated with the tangy glaze.
9. Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately for best texture and flavor. This lemon chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.

Notes

• Maintain oil temperature between batches to keep chicken crispy and prevent sogginess.
• Use fresh lemon zest for a more vibrant lemon flavor.
• Adjust sugar in the sauce to your preferred level of sweetness.
• Ensure chicken pieces are evenly coated for consistent frying results.
• Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of crispy chicken and luscious sauce.

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