Description
Zesty Chinese lemon chicken delivers a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors that dance across your palate. Crispy chicken pieces glazed with bright citrus sauce promise a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about ½ lemons)
- 2 tbsps low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsps honey or maple syrup
- 2 tbsps cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp low-sodium chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Lemon slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate: Blend chicken pieces with soy sauce and cornstarch, ensuring comprehensive coating. Allow flavors to meld for 10 minutes at room temperature.
- Sauce Creation: Vigorously whisk lemon juice, zest, honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and chicken broth into a harmonious mixture. Set aside for later integration.
- Chicken Searing: Ignite olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high heat. Introduce chicken, developing a golden exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking. Extract chicken and reserve momentarily.
- Sauce Transformation: Cascade prepared lemon mixture into the identical skillet. Stimulate a gentle simmer while incorporating cornstarch slurry, orchestrating sauce thickening through consistent stirring.
- Final Assembly: Reunite seared chicken with luxurious sauce, executing thorough coating. Embellish with verdant green onions, nutty sesame seeds, and vibrant lemon slices. Plate alongside fluffy rice or tender steamed vegetables for a comprehensive culinary experience.
Notes
- Let chicken absorb soy sauce and cornstarch for at least 10 minutes to enhance tenderness and create a protective coating that keeps meat juicy during cooking.
- Use medium-high heat to achieve golden-brown chicken without burning, ensuring crispy exterior and moist interior while preventing tough meat texture.
- Whisk cornstarch slurry carefully to thicken sauce smoothly, avoiding lumps and creating a glossy, restaurant-quality coating that clings perfectly to chicken.
- Substitute honey with maple syrup for vegan version, use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free option, and swap chicken with tofu for plant-based alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg