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Chinese Crispy Lemon Chicken

Chinese Crispy Lemon Chicken

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  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Chinese

Description

This Chinese crispy lemon chicken features golden-fried chicken pieces coated in a tangy, sweet, and tart lemon sauce. A quick and easy meal that pairs perfectly with rice or noodles!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 2 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, diced (see notes)
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup corn starch
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 2 eggs
  • Neutral oil, for frying

For the Lemon Sauce:

  • 1 cup chicken broth or water
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp finely minced or grated ginger
  • 1 tsp finely minced or grated garlic
  • 1 1/2 tbsp corn starch
  • Zest of 1 lemon

Instructions

 Prepare the Chicken:

  1. In a bowl, marinate diced chicken with soy sauce and vinegar. Let sit for 15 minutes.
  2. Add eggs to the marinated chicken and mix well.
  3. Stir in corn starch and flour until it forms a thick batter. (See notes for consistency tips.)

2. Fry the Chicken:

  1. Heat neutral oil in a pot over medium heat.
  2. Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy (about 4-5 minutes per batch).
  3. Drain fried chicken on a paper towel or cooling rack.

3. Make the Lemon Sauce:

  1. In a pan, combine broth (or water), honey, sugar, lemon juice, salt, ginger, and garlic. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
  2. In a small bowl, mix corn starch with 2 tbsp water to create a slurry. Stir it into the sauce to thicken.
  3. Add lemon zest and stir until well combined.

4. Toss & Serve:

  1. Add the crispy fried chicken into the sauce, tossing to coat evenly.
  2. Serve immediately on its own or with steamed rice. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Chicken Choice: Thighs stay juicier, but breasts work for a leaner option.
  • Batter Consistency: The batter should be thick enough to coat the chicken but not overly runny. If too thick, add a splash of water.
  • Frying Tip: The oil is ready when a wooden chopstick bubbles when dipped in. Avoid overcrowding the pot to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 plate
  • Calories: 520 kcal
  • Sugar: 14g
  • Sodium: 870mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 34g
  • Cholesterol: 180mg

Find it online: https://cooktune.com/chinese-crispy-lemon-chicken/