Chinese Lemon Chicken

Crispy, zesty, and irresistibly tangy, Chinese Lemon Chicken brings authentic restaurant flavors to your home kitchen. This recipe features tender chicken breast pieces, fried to golden perfection, and coated in a luscious lemon sauce that balances brightness with a hint of sweetness. The secret lies in the perfect combination of cornstarch and flour for an ultra-crispy coating, while a quick cornstarch slurry ensures a velvety sauce. Garnished with fresh lemon slices and optional chopped green onions, this dish is perfect served over steamed rice for a satisfying dinner the whole family will love. Ready in just 45 minutes, it's a quick and delicious way to enjoy takeout-style comfort food from scratch. Keywords: Chinese Lemon Chicken, crispy lemon chicken, homemade lemon sauce, tangy chicken recipe.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces chicken breasts
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 0.25 cup lemon juice
• 0.25 cup sugar
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons water (for slurry)
• 3 slices lemon slices
• 2 stalks green onions (optional, chopped)

Directions

Step 1

Slice the chicken breasts into thin, bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of cornstarch, 0.5 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 3

In another small bowl, beat 1 egg with 3 tablespoons of water to create an egg wash.

Step 4

Dip each chicken piece into the egg wash, then coat it thoroughly in the flour mixture. Place the coated pieces on a plate.

Step 5

Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

Step 6

Fry the chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per batch. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Step 7

To prepare the lemon sauce, combine 0.25 cup lemon juice, 0.25 cup sugar, 1 cup chicken stock, and 2 teaspoons soy sauce in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 8

Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 2 teaspoons cornstarch with 2 teaspoons water. Slowly pour the slurry into the saucepan while stirring, and cook until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes.

Step 9

Add the lemon slices to the sauce and simmer for 1 minute.

Step 10

Transfer the fried chicken to a serving plate and pour the lemon sauce over the top.

Step 11

Garnish with chopped green onions (if desired) and serve warm with steamed rice or as desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1564.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5059.3

Total Fat 442.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 270.8g
Cholesterol 526.8mg	0%
Sodium 3271.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 169.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.0g	0%
Total Sugars 53.9g
Protein 134.9g	0%

Vitamin D 53.8IU	0%
Calcium 121.7mg	0%
Iron 8.9mg	0%
Potassium 337.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 76.6%

Protein: 10.4%

Carbs: 13.0%