Lemon Chicken (Chinese-Style)

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Servings: 6 Difficulty: Intermediate
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Crispy, golden chicken pieces tossed in a bright, tangy sweet-and-sour lemon sauce.
Lemon Chicken (Chin recipe image

This classic Chinese-American favorite features crispy, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a light batter and smothered in a vibrant lemon sauce. The sauce strikes a perfect balance between sweet, sour, and savory, with hints of garlic and vinegar that cut through the richness of the fried chicken. It’s a restaurant-quality dish that brings bold, home-style flavors to your table. Ideal for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, this recipe is surprisingly manageable with ingredients you likely have on hand. Serve it hot with steamed rice and green vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Lemon Chicken (Chin recipe image
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Lemon Chicken (Chinese-Style)

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6 Calories: 123.8

Description

This classic Chinese-American favorite features crispy, deep-fried chicken pieces coated in a light batter and smothered in a vibrant lemon sauce. The sauce strikes a perfect balance between sweet, sour, and savory, with hints of garlic and vinegar that cut through the richness of the fried chicken. It&# 226;ÂÂs a restaurant-quality dish that brings bold, home-style flavors to your table. Ideal for weeknight dinners or family gatherings, this recipe is surprisingly manageable with ingredients you likely have on hand. Serve it hot with steamed rice and green vegetables for a complete, satisfying meal that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Remove bones and skin from chicken breasts, then cut each breast into fourths.
  2. Place chicken pieces in a shallow dish. Mix 1 tbsp oil, 1 egg, 2 tsp cornstarch, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp soy sauce, and 1/4 tsp white pepper. Pour over chicken, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the liquid. In a bowl, mix the reserved marinade, flour, 1/4 cup water, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 2 tbsp oil, 1/4 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt to create a batter.
  4. Heat oil in a wok to 350ðF (175ðC) to a depth of 1-1/2 inches. Dip chicken pieces one at a time into the batter, then fry 2 pieces at a time for 3 minutes until light brown. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Increase oil temperature to 375ðF (190ðC). Return all chicken pieces to the wok and fry for approximately 2 minutes until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
  6. Cut each chicken piece crosswise into 5-6 bite-sized pieces. Place on a heated platter and keep warm.
  7. In a clean wok or saucepan, combine 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup honey, 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp light corn syrup, 2 tbsp vinegar, 1 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp catsup, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp salt, a dash of white pepper, and the peel of 1/2 a lemon.
  8. Bring the sauce mixture to a boil. Mix 2 tbsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water and stir into the boiling sauce.
  9. Cook and stir for about 30 seconds until the sauce thickens. Remove the lemon peel.
  10. Pour the hot sauce over the chicken pieces immediately. Garnish with thinly sliced lemon wedges and serve at once.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 123.8kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 2.7g5%
Saturated Fat 0.8g4%
Cholesterol 63.8mg22%
Sodium 55.5mg3%
Total Carbohydrate 0.0g0%
Dietary Fiber 0.0g0%
Sugars 0.0g
Protein 23.2g47%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: chinese chicken, lemon chicken, crispy chicken, sweet and sour, asian cuisine, deep fried, lemon sauce, weeknight dinner, comfort food, family meal, garlic sauce, protein rich, chicken breast, stir fry sauce, homestyle chinese, golden brown, tangy sauce, easy dinner, chicken recipe
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