Description
Savor authentic Chinese Crispy Lemon Chicken, a zesty culinary masterpiece that dances between tangy citrus notes and golden crispy perfection. Delicate chicken pieces glazed with bright lemon sauce promise a delightful journey through classic Asian flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) boneless chicken thighs or breasts, diced
Coating and Batter:
- ½ cup corn starch
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Sauce and Seasoning:
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon finely minced or grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon finely minced or grated garlic
- 1 ½ tablespoons corn starch
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Neutral oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by dicing and marinating in a fragrant blend of soy sauce and vinegar, allowing the flavors to penetrate for a quarter-hour.
- Incorporate beaten eggs into the marinated chicken, ensuring a thorough and even coating.
- Gradually fold in corn starch and flour, creating a smooth, clingy batter that will provide the signature crispy exterior.
- Warm a generous amount of neutral oil in a deep pot, bringing it to an optimal frying temperature.
- Carefully lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to maintain consistent crispiness, frying until they achieve a rich golden-brown color and crunchy texture.
- Transfer the fried chicken to a lined surface, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining its crisp perfection.
- Craft a vibrant sauce by combining broth, honey, sugar, fresh lemon juice, salt, minced ginger, and crushed garlic in a simmering pan.
- Create a corn starch slurry by whisking it with water, then gently incorporate into the sauce to achieve a luxurious, glossy consistency.
- Brighten the sauce with freshly grated lemon zest, stirring to distribute the citrusy essence throughout.
- Gently fold the crispy chicken into the zesty sauce, ensuring each piece is generously and evenly coated.
- Present immediately, either as a standalone dish or nestled alongside fluffy steamed rice for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, ideally 30-45 minutes for maximum taste absorption.
- Ensure batter consistency is thick but not too heavy, similar to pancake mix texture for perfect crispy coating.
- Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for consistent, golden-brown crispiness without burning.
- Gluten-free alternative: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg