If you’ve ever craved that perfectly tangy, crispy, and comforting takeout favorite, look no further than this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe. It’s a delightful balance of tender chicken chunks fried to golden perfection and coated in a luscious lemon sauce that has just the right mix of sweet and zesty. Whether you’re recreating a nostalgic meal or introducing your friends to a new favorite, this dish is bright, inviting, and guaranteed to bring a smile at the dinner table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe starts with simple, easy-to-find ingredients that work wonderfully together to create irresistible flavors and textures. Each component plays a role, from the crunchy coating to the vibrant lemon sauce, ensuring every bite is a party of taste and comfort.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (1 ½ lbs): The perfect tender base, cut bite-sized for even cooking and crispy dunking.
- Cornstarch (½ cup + 1 tablespoon for slurry): Essential for that signature crispy crust and a silky sauce texture.
- Large eggs (2, beaten): Helps the dry coating adhere perfectly to the chicken pieces.
- All-purpose flour (¼ cup): Joins the cornstarch to create a light, crisp batter.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Enhances flavor within the coating.
- Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds a subtle warmth to the batter.
- Vegetable oil for frying and sauce (about 2 inches for frying + 1 tablespoon for sauce): Provides a neutral base for frying and flavors the sauce gently.
- Garlic clove (1, minced): Adds aromatic depth in the sauce.
- Fresh ginger (½ teaspoon, grated): Creates a hint of spiciness and freshness in every bite.
- Chicken broth (½ cup): Builds a savory body for the lemon sauce.
- Fresh lemon juice (â…“ cup): The star of the show, delivering the bright and tangy punch the dish is known for.
- Granulated sugar (⅓ cup): Balances the lemon’s tartness with sweetness.
- Honey (2 tablespoons): Adds a natural sweetness and smooth glaze.
- Soy sauce (2 teaspoons): Brings a subtle umami and saltiness to the sauce.
- Lemon zest and sliced green onions (optional): Fresh garnishes that brighten presentation and flavor.
How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Coat the Chicken
Start by mixing your cornstarch, flour, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl to form the perfect crispy coating. Dip each piece of chicken first into the beaten eggs ensuring a good soak, then dredge the pieces well in the coating mixture, pressing lightly so every bite gets that irresistible crunch.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken to Golden Perfection
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok on medium-high heat until you see it shimmer. Fry the chicken pieces in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan so they crisp evenly. Each batch takes about 4 to 5 minutes until they’re golden and cooked through. Drain the chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil and keep them crisp.
Step 3: Whip Up the Lemon Sauce
In a clean saucepan, warm 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger for about 30 seconds until the aroma fills your kitchen—this little step makes all the difference. Then add chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, honey, and soy sauce, stirring to combine everything nicely. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Thicken the Sauce and Toss the Chicken
Slowly add your cornstarch slurry while stirring continuously, and watch the sauce thicken to a glossy, luscious consistency in just a minute or two. Add your fried chicken pieces directly into the sauce and toss thoroughly to coat every crispy morsel with that vibrant, tangy goodness.
How to Serve Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your dish visually and in flavor, sprinkle some fresh lemon zest and sliced green onions on top just before serving. These bright garnishes add a fresh aroma and a pop of color that make every plate Instagram-worthy.
Side Dishes
Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice or fluffy white rice that soaks up every bit of sauce. Lightly sautéed or steamed vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or bok choy also add freshness and balance to this rich, crispy dish.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve your Chinese Lemon Chicken over a bed of crispy fried rice or inside lettuce wraps for a fresh, handheld option. Another idea is to place the chicken atop a noodle stir-fry for a complete meal that brings different textures and flavors in one bowl.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe tastes fantastic when stored properly. Transfer the chicken and sauce into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken separate from any rice or sides for the best texture when reheating.
Freezing
While the dish is best fresh, you can freeze the cooked, sauced chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. When freezing, place parchment between layers of chicken pieces to prevent sticking and maintain coating texture as much as possible.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium heat until heated through to keep the crispiness and avoid sogginess, stirring occasionally. Avoid microwaving directly as it can make the chicken lose its crisp exterior quickly.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for juicier meat, but keep in mind they might take a minute or two longer to cook through because of their thickness.
How can I make this Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe gluten-free?
To make this gluten-free, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Cornstarch is naturally gluten-free and perfect for the coating and sauce thickening.
Is it necessary to fry the chicken or can I bake it?
Frying ensures the crispiest texture that complements the lemon sauce perfectly, but if you prefer a healthier alternative, baking coated chicken on a high rack at 425°F until golden can work, although the texture will be less crunchy.
How can I adjust the sweetness or tanginess of the sauce?
Feel free to tweak the sugar, honey, and lemon juice quantities to your taste. For a more tart and lemon-forward sauce, add a touch more lemon juice, or for a sweeter finish, increase the sugar or honey slightly.
What sides work best with Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe?
Steamed rice is the classic choice, but you can mix things up with vegetable stir-fries, fried rice, or even simple steamed greens like broccoli or bok choy to balance the rich, tangy flavors of the chicken.
Final Thoughts
This Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe is a bright, crispy, and satisfying dish that always manages to impress, whether for a cozy weeknight meal or a special gathering. Trust me, once you try making this at home, you’ll be hooked on the perfect balance of that tangy lemon sauce with crispy chicken bites. So, gather your ingredients, cook with joy, and enjoy every delicious moment!
Print
Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
Chinese Lemon Chicken is a flavorful and crispy fried chicken dish coated in a tangy and sweet lemon sauce. This easy-to-make recipe features bite-sized chicken pieces fried to golden perfection, then tossed in a luscious lemon-infused sauce with garlic, ginger, and honey. Perfect as a main course served with rice or vegetables, it’s a favorite takeout-style dish you can prepare at home.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for sauce)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ½ cup chicken broth
- â…“ cup fresh lemon juice
- â…“ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Garnish (optional)
- Lemon zest
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating: In a medium bowl, combine the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, salt, and black pepper to create the dry coating mixture.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring it is fully coated. Then dredge the chicken pieces in the cornstarch-flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the coating well.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Fry the chicken in batches for about 4–5 minutes per batch until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Sauce: In a clean pan, heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic and grated ginger for approximately 30 seconds or until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Liquids and Sweeteners: Pour in the chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, honey, and soy sauce. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Thicken the Sauce: Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering sauce while stirring continuously. Continue to simmer the sauce for 1–2 minutes until it thickens to a glossy consistency.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Add the fried chicken pieces into the sauce and toss gently to coat each piece evenly with the lemon sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with lemon zest and sliced green onions if desired. Serve the Chinese Lemon Chicken hot alongside steamed rice or your favorite vegetables.
Notes
- For extra crispy chicken, consider double-frying the pieces by frying them once, letting them rest, then frying again briefly before adding to the sauce.
- Adjust the sweetness or tartness of the lemon sauce by varying the amount of sugar or lemon juice according to your taste preferences.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute tamari for soy sauce and use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
