We all need a solid rotation of reliable Chicken Recipes in our lives. Honestly, chicken is the ultimate weeknight hero. It is affordable, versatile, and usually cooks up pretty fast. But sometimes, getting stuck in a rut of plain grilled breasts or dry roasted birds is easy. That is exactly why you need this recipe in your back pocket. It brings excitement back to the dinner table without needing a culinary degree.
If you have been hunting for Chicken Recipes that taste like your favorite takeout but cost a fraction of the price, this is it. This Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe delivers that perfect crunch we all crave. The sauce is sticky, sweet, and tangy all at once. Plus, you know exactly what ingredients are going into it. There are no mystery additives here. Just fresh, bold flavors that come together in about 30 minutes. It is one of those Comfort Food Recipes Dinners that feels like a treat but is simple enough for a Tuesday.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You are going to fall in love with this dish for so many reasons. First of all, the texture is incredible. By using a mix of flour and cornstarch, we get a coating that stays crispy even after you toss it in the sauce. Many Chicken Recipes lose their crunch the second liquid touches them, but this method ensures every bite has that satisfying snap. It is a restaurant quality result right in your own kitchen.
Another huge plus is the sauce. This isn’t a jarred sauce loaded with preservatives. It is a bright, homemade Lemon Sauce For Chicken that uses real lemon juice and zest. It balances sweet and sour perfectly. If you have kids who are picky eaters, the sweetness usually wins them over. It is a great way to introduce them to new flavors without it being too spicy or overwhelming.
Finally, this recipe is incredibly flexible. While it is designed as a fried dish, you can adapt it. If you are looking for Healthy Chicken Recipes, you can modify the cooking method slightly. You can serve it over steamed rice, noodles, or even a crisp salad. It fits into so many different meal plans. It truly stands out among other Lemon Chicken Recipes because of how straightforward and rewarding it is to make.
Ingredients
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. You likely have most of these items in your pantry already. Here is what you need to make this standout among Chicken Recipes.
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- Oil for frying (canola or vegetable oil)
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Step By Step Instructions
Making restaurant style food at home does not have to be scary. Follow these steps to create one of the best Chicken Recipes you will ever taste.
Step 1: Prepare The Chicken
Start by taking your boneless skinless chicken breasts and cutting them into pieces that are about 1 inch in size. Try to keep them uniform so they cook evenly. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. This step is crucial. It enhances the flavor deep down so the meat isn’t bland under the coating. It also lightly tenderizes the meat.
Step 2: Create The Coating Station
You need to set up a little assembly line. In one bowl, whisk the two eggs until they are smooth. In a separate bowl, combine the all purpose flour and the cornstarch. Mix them thoroughly to create your dry coating mix. The cornstarch is the secret weapon here. It is what makes this crispier than other standard Chicken Recipes.
Step 3: Dredge The Chicken
Now, take each chicken piece and dip it first into the beaten eggs. Ensure it gets an even coat of egg wash. Then, move it to the flour bowl. Dredge it fully in the flour and cornstarch mixture. Press the chicken into the flour slightly to make sure each piece is well coated. This heavy coating ensures maximum crispiness when it hits the oil.
Step 4: Fry Until Golden
Heat your oil in a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. You want the oil to be hot but not smoking. Fry the coated chicken pieces in batches. Do not crowd the pan. If you put too many in at once, the oil temperature drops and the chicken gets greasy. Fry each piece for about 4 to 5 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and set them aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 5: Make The Sauce
While the chicken drains, grab a separate saucepan. Combine the lemon juice, sugar, and water. Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir it occasionally to help dissolve the sugar completely. This base is simpler than many complicated Chicken Sauce Recipes, but it packs a punch.
Step 6: Thicken And Coat
Let the sauce cook for about 5 minutes. You want it to slightly thicken. It should become glossy but not too viscous. It needs to be loose enough to coat the chicken evenly. Once the sauce is ready, pour this prepared Lemon Sauce For Chicken over the fried chicken in the skillet. Stir everything carefully to coat all the pieces evenly with the tangy sauce.
Step 7: Garnish And Serve
To finish, sprinkle the sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and grated lemon zest over the sauced chicken. This adds a lovely aroma, a bit of texture, and a fresh citrus pop that really brightens the dish. Serve it hot. It is ideally accompanied by steamed rice or a fresh vegetable side dish to complement the bright and crispy Chinese Lemon Chicken.
How To Store Leftovers
If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, storing them properly is key. Unlike some Shredded Chicken Recipes or soups that get better with time, crispy chicken is best when fresh. However, you can keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When it comes time to reheat, avoid the microwave if you can. The microwave will make the coating soggy. Instead, use an air fryer or a toaster oven. Heat it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 to 7 minutes. This helps crisp the coating back up. If you have extra sauce, store it separately to keep the chicken from getting too soft.
Tips
Here are a few tricks to make sure this tops your list of favorite Chicken Recipes.
First, keep your oil temperature steady. If the oil is too cold, the chicken will absorb it like a sponge. If it is too hot, the outside burns before the inside cooks. A medium high heat is usually the sweet spot. You can test it by dropping a small piece of bread in the oil. If it sizzles immediately, you are good to go.
Second, do not skip the cornstarch. Some people try to use just flour, but cornstarch is what gives Asian style fried chicken that distinct, light crunch. It creates a barrier that holds up well against the sauce. If you want to explore Gluten Free Chicken options, you can often use a gluten free flour blend mixed with the cornstarch.
Lastly, zest your lemon before you juice it. It is much harder to grate the peel of a squashed lemon. The zest contains essential oils that add a fragrant, floral lemon note that the juice alone cannot provide. This small step elevates the dish from good to great.
Conclusion
There is something so satisfying about mastering a dish that tastes like it came from a restaurant. This Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe proves that great food does not have to be complicated. With just a handful of ingredients and about half an hour, you can create a meal that is vibrant, crunchy, and full of flavor. It is destined to become a regular in your rotation of Chicken Recipes.
Whether you are cooking for a busy family or just treating yourself, this dish hits all the right notes. It is sweet, savory, and comforting. So next time you are staring at a package of chicken breasts wondering what to make, remember this recipe. Skip the delivery fees and make something fresh at home. You will be glad you did.
FAQ
Can I Make This A Baked Recipe?
Yes, you can adapt this. If you are looking for Chicken Breast Recipes Baked or specifically a Lemon Chicken Recipe Baked, you can skip the deep frying. Coat the chicken as directed, spray it generously with cooking oil, and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes until crispy. Then toss it in the sauce.
Is This Recipe Gluten Free?
The cornstarch is naturally gluten free, but the all purpose flour is not. To make Gluten Free Chicken, simply swap the wheat flour for a 1:1 gluten free flour blend or use rice flour. Ensure your soy sauce (if serving on the side) is also gluten free.
Can I Use Pre-Cooked Chicken?
If you have leftovers from other Shredded Chicken Recipes, you can use them, but the texture will be different. You won’t get the same crispy coating. It is better to use raw chicken for the full experience.
How Can I Make This Healthier?
For Healthy Chicken Recipes, you can reduce the sugar in the sauce or use a natural sweetener like honey. You can also shallow fry in less oil or use the baking method mentioned above. Serving it with extra steamed broccoli helps balance the meal too.
What Other Sauces Can I Use?
This base method works for many Chicken Sauce Recipes. You could swap the lemon for orange juice for an orange chicken variation, or add honey and garlic for a sweet and savory twist. Once you master the frying technique, the sauce possibilities are endless.
Easy Chinese Lemon Chicken
This easy Chinese Lemon Chicken delivers a perfect crunch with a sticky, sweet, and tangy sauce. Made with fresh, bold flavors in about 30 minutes, it’s a comforting weeknight dinner that tastes like your favorite takeout, without the mystery ingredients.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare The Chicken: Cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and tenderize.
- Create The Coating Station: In one bowl, whisk two eggs until smooth. In a separate bowl, combine all purpose flour and cornstarch.
- Dredge The Chicken: Dip each chicken piece into beaten eggs, then dredge fully in the flour and cornstarch mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a good coat for maximum crispiness.
- Fry Until Golden: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Make The Sauce: In a separate saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar, and water. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
- Thicken And Coat: Cook sauce for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy. Pour over fried chicken in the skillet and stir to coat evenly.
- Garnish And Serve: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and grated lemon zest. Serve hot with steamed rice or a fresh vegetable side.
Notes
Keep oil temperature steady; medium-high heat is ideal to prevent greasy or burnt chicken.
Do not skip the cornstarch; it creates the distinct light crunch. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend with cornstarch.
Zest your lemon before juicing for a fragrant, floral lemon note.
For a baked version, spray coated chicken generously with cooking oil and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes until crispy, then toss in sauce.
Nutrition
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