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Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 20 reviews

This Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe features tender chicken thighs coated with a crispy batter and tossed in a tangy, sweet lemon sauce. It’s a deliciously vibrant dish that combines the perfect balance of citrus and sweetness, ideal for serving with steamed rice and vegetables for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

  • 1 lb chicken thighs, cut into cubes
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

Lemon Sauce

  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp lemon zest

Batter and Frying

  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • Oil for frying (enough to fill pot 3 inches deep)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken cubes with 1 tbsp soy sauce and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Mix well to coat all pieces evenly, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate.
  2. Prepare the Lemon Sauce: While the chicken marinates, mix lemon juice, sugar, water, 2 tsp cornstarch, and lemon zest in a small bowl until the sugar and cornstarch are dissolved. Set this sauce mixture aside for later use.
  3. Coat the Chicken: After marination, add 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 cup cornstarch to the bowl with chicken. Toss thoroughly so each piece is well coated with the dry mixture, ensuring a crispy texture after frying.
  4. Heat the Oil: Fill a pot with oil about three inches deep and heat it on medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C), the ideal frying temperature for crispy chicken.
  5. Fry the Chicken: Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully add chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry each batch until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through, about 4-6 minutes per batch. Transfer cooked chicken to a skillet as you complete each batch.
  6. Cook the Sauce: Once all chicken is fried and placed in the skillet, turn off the frying oil. Heat the skillet on medium-high, pour in the prepared lemon sauce, and toss the chicken pieces quickly in the sauce until the sauce thickens and evenly coats the chicken, about 1-2 minutes.
  7. Serve: Serve the lemon chicken immediately while hot, ideally accompanied by steamed rice and your choice of steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

  • Maintaining the oil temperature is key to ensuring crispy chicken; avoid overcrowding when frying as it drops the temperature.
  • The marinating step enhances flavor and tenderness but can be extended up to 1 hour if time permits.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright citrus flavor.
  • Serve immediately after tossing in sauce, as the coating can become soggy if left to sit.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chinese lemon chicken, lemon chicken recipe, crispy fried chicken, citrus chicken, easy Chinese recipes

Find it online: https://platedandproud.com/chinese-lemon-chicken-recipe/