Zesty Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe for Swift Dinner Magic

Have you ever craved a zesty chinese lemon chicken that bursts with bright, tangy flavors?

Our kitchen adventure promises a delightful twist on a classic comfort meal.

Bold citrus notes dance alongside crispy, golden-brown chicken pieces.

Tender meat gets coated in a silky, vibrant sauce that tingles your taste buds.

Weeknight dinners deserve something spectacular and effortless like this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Simple ingredients come together in less than thirty minutes, making meal preparation a breeze.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of savory and sweet that will make you want to return for seconds.

Here’s Why People Crave Chinese Lemon Chicken

• Elevate plain chicken into a zesty, restaurant-quality dish with minimal culinary skills required.
• Perfect for feeding a crowd, this recipe allows frying multiple chicken pieces simultaneously without complicated techniques.
• From start to finish, you can create this impressive meal in under an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous family gatherings.
• Achieve a delightfully crispy exterior with a tender, juicy interior that guarantees a satisfying bite every single time.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Chinese Lemon Chicken

• Chicken Pieces: Tender protein base for the dish, boneless chicken thighs or breasts work best.
• Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder: Essential seasoning blend for enhancing chicken flavor.
• Cornstarch: Creates a light, crispy exterior and helps batter adhere to chicken.

• Eggs: Binding agent for creating a smooth, crispy coating.
• Flour: Provides structure and crispiness to the chicken batter.
• Water: Helps achieve the right batter consistency.
• Baking Powder: Adds lightness and helps create a puffy, crisp texture.

• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, tangy flavor profile.
• Honey: Adds sweetness and helps balance the sauce.
• Soy Sauce: Brings umami depth and saltiness.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds subtle acidity to the sauce.
• Ginger, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that provide classic Chinese flavor notes.
• Sesame Seeds: Crunchy garnish with nutty flavor.
• Green Onions: Fresh, sharp garnish for added color and flavor.
• Lemon Slices: Decorative and fragrant garnish.

• Vegetable Oil: Used for deep frying the chicken to golden perfection.
• Steamed Rice or Noodles: Traditional serving base for the dish.

Chinese Lemon Chicken Cooking Guide

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Generously sprinkle seasonings over chicken pieces. Tumble chicken with cornstarch until each piece gets a light, even dusting.

Step 2: Create Batter Magic

• Eggs
• All-purpose flour
• Water
• Baking powder

Whisk ingredients together until smooth and silky. The batter should have no lumps and create a gorgeous golden coating.

Step 3: Dunk and Coat Chicken

Dip each cornstarch-covered chicken piece into batter, ensuring complete and even coverage. Let excess batter drip off gently.

Step 4: Heat Frying Station

Pour vegetable oil into a deep pan, reaching about two inches deep. Warm oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer for precise temperature.

Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully lower battered chicken into hot oil. Fry in small batches to maintain oil temperature. Rotate pieces occasionally for uniform browning. Cook until chicken turns deep golden and crispy.

Step 6: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer fried chicken onto paper towel-lined plate. This helps remove extra oil and keeps chicken crisp.

Step 7: Craft Tangy Lemon Sauce

• Lemon juice
• Honey
• Soy sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Fresh ginger
• Garlic
• Water
• Cornstarch

Combine ingredients in saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until sauce simmers and thickens. Add lemon zest for extra brightness.

Step 8: Combine and Garnish

• Sesame seeds
• Chopped green onions
• Fresh lemon slices

Step 9: Serve Deliciously

Place chicken over steamed rice or noodles. Enjoy immediately while crispy and warm.

Kitchen Notes for Making Chinese Lemon Chicken Better

• Perfect Chicken Coating: Use a light cornstarch layer to create an extra crispy exterior that locks in moisture and helps the batter adhere perfectly.
• Frying Temperature Control: Maintain steady oil heat at 350F to ensure golden, crunchy chicken without absorbing excess oil or becoming greasy.
• Sauce Consistency Hack: Whisk cornstarch slurry slowly and steadily to prevent lumps and achieve a silky, glossy lemon sauce that clings beautifully to chicken.
• Flavor Boost Technique: Let chicken rest briefly after frying to help retain crispiness and allow surface temperature to stabilize before adding sauce.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend to make the recipe suitable for those with wheat sensitivities.

How to Handle Chinese Lemon Chicken Leftovers

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the sauce separate to maintain crispiness.
• Warm chicken at 350F for 810 minutes, placing on a wire rack to prevent soggy bottoms and restore crispy texture.
• Avoid microwaving, as it will make the chicken rubbery and soggy; oven method preserves the original crunch.
• Gently reheat lemon sauce in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.

What Goes Great with Chinese Lemon Chicken

• Select a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the bright, zesty lemon sauce and cut through the chicken's richness.
• Brew a light, slightly sweet green tea that harmonizes with the dish's citrusy notes and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Create a savory side dish that absorbs the tangy lemon sauce and provides a textural contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Prepare a cool, crunchy salad with rice vinegar dressing to add freshness and balance the warm, crispy chicken.

New Spins for Chinese Lemon Chicken Lovers

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to maintain a celiac-friendly version.
• Low-Carb Chicken Alternative: Substitute cornstarch coating with almond flour or crushed pork rinds. Reduce honey in sauce and replace with monk fruit sweetener for keto-friendly preparation.
• Air Fryer Method: Skip deep frying and cook chicken pieces in air fryer at 390F for 1012 minutes. Achieve crispy texture with minimal oil while reducing overall calorie content.
• Spicy Citrus Version: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to lemon sauce for extra heat. Incorporate orange zest alongside lemon zest to create a more complex citrus profile.

Curious About Chinese Lemon Chicken? FAQs Inside

• Why coat the chicken in cornstarch before battering?

Cornstarch helps create a barrier between the chicken and batter, ensuring a crispier exterior that stays crunchy even after adding the sauce.

• How do I know the oil is the right temperature for frying?

Use a kitchen thermometer to check it’s exactly 350F (175C). If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of batter into the oil- it should sizzle and float immediately without burning.

• Can I make this dish less greasy?

Yes, after frying, place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet. This allows excess oil to drip off, keeping the chicken crisp and reducing oiliness.

• What if my lemon sauce is too thin or thick?

Adjust consistency by adding more cornstarch slurry to thicken or more water to thin. Always mix cornstarch with cold water before adding to prevent lumps.

Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Chinese Lemon Chicken brings zesty citrus notes dancing across crispy golden poultry, creating a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors. Delightful restaurant-style magic waits on your plate, ready to transport you through authentic Chinese culinary traditions.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Coating Ingredients:

• ½ cup cornstarch
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Sauce and Garnish Ingredients:

• ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• ¼ cup honey (or sugar)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• ½ cup water
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (mixed with 2 tablespoons water for slurry)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, chopped
• Lemon slices

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by generously seasoning with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance its flavor profile.
2. Thoroughly coat the seasoned chicken pieces with cornstarch, creating a light, even layer that will help achieve a crispy exterior.
3. Create a smooth, silky batter by whisking eggs, flour, water, and baking powder until completely integrated and free of lumps.
4. Carefully immerse each cornstarch-coated chicken piece into the prepared batter, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to the optimal frying temperature of 350F, creating a hot environment for perfect golden-brown cooking.
6. Gently lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, frying in strategic batches to maintain consistent oil temperature and prevent overcrowding.
7. Rotate the chicken periodically during frying, allowing each side to develop a rich, crisp golden color and ensuring even cooking throughout.
8. Remove fried chicken and place on a paper towel-lined surface to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
9. Prepare the vibrant lemon sauce by combining lemon juice, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced ginger, crushed garlic, and water in a saucepan.
10. Bring the sauce mixture to a gentle simmer, then incorporate the cornstarch slurry and fragrant lemon zest to create a glossy, thickened consistency.
11. Either thoroughly coat the crispy chicken in the tangy lemon sauce or elegantly drizzle the sauce over the top for visual appeal.
12. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, finely chopped green onions, and delicate lemon slices for a final touch of flavor and presentation.
13. Serve immediately alongside steamed rice or tender noodles to complete this delectable Chinese-inspired dish.

Notes

• Adjust salt levels carefully since both soy sauce and cornstarch can increase overall dish saltiness.
• Use fresh lemon juice for brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to bottled alternatives.
• Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350F to ensure crispy, evenly cooked chicken without burning exterior.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg