Description
This Chinese Lemon Chicken is a perfect balance of crispy chicken with a tangy, sweet, and savory lemon sauce. Each bite delivers a delightful crunch paired with the refreshing zest of lemon, creating a vibrant and flavorful dish. Perfect for weeknight dinners or a crowd-pleasing meal!
Ingredients
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600g (1.3 lb) chicken breast, cut into roughly 3cm cubes
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½ cup chicken stock
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1½ tbsp light soy sauce
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3 tbsp sugar
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3 tbsp lemon juice (juice of about 2 lemons)
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Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
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1 cup plain flour
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2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
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1 tsp finely grated ginger
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2 tsp cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tbsp water
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Vegetable oil for frying
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1 tsp sesame seeds (optional)
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Sliced spring onion (scallions) to serve
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Lemon slices to serve (optional)
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken:
Cut the chicken breast into 3cm cubes. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken pieces in the plain flour, ensuring they are well-coated. -
Make the Lemon Sauce:
In a bowl, combine chicken stock, soy sauce, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to dissolve the sugar and set aside. -
Fry the Chicken:
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Once hot, fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove from the oil and set on a paper towel to drain excess oil. -
Prepare the Sauce:
In a separate pan, sauté chopped garlic and ginger in a small amount of oil until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add the prepared lemon sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add the cornstarch mixture and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
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Combine Chicken and Sauce:
Add the crispy chicken to the pan with the thickened lemon sauce. Toss the chicken to coat evenly in the sauce.
Notes
For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Serve with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-fried
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Chinese Lemon Chicken, crispy chicken, lemon sauce, quick dinner, tangy chicken, Asian recipes