Description
Zesty Chinese lemon chicken offers a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors that dance on your palate. Crispy golden-brown chicken pieces glazed with a bright, citrusy sauce will delight you with its irresistible taste and classic Asian-inspired charm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, large, beaten
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- vegetable oil (for frying)
- ⅓ cup lemon juice, fresh (about 2 lemons)
- ¼ cup honey (or sugar)
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsps water for slurry)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, chopped
- lemon slices
Instructions
- Seasoning: Generously season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to amplify the flavor foundation.
- Coating Preparation: Meticulously dredge seasoned chicken in cornstarch, creating a uniform layer that ensures a crisp, golden exterior when fried.
- Batter Creation: Whisk eggs, flour, water, and baking powder into a smooth, lump-free mixture that will provide a light, airy coating.
- Frying Setup: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350F, establishing the perfect thermal environment for achieving a golden, crispy texture.
- Cooking Process: Submerge batter-coated chicken in hot oil, frying in strategic batches to maintain consistent temperature and prevent overcrowding, rotating periodically to ensure even, rich browning.
- Oil Drainage: Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined surface, allowing excess oil to be absorbed while preserving the crisp exterior.
- Sauce Development: Combine lemon juice, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and water in a saucepan, simmering gently and incorporating cornstarch slurry and lemon zest to create a glossy, vibrant sauce.
- Final Assembly: Either completely coat the crispy chicken in the tangy lemon sauce or artfully drizzle it over the top, then garnish with toasted sesame seeds, green onions, and lemon slices.
- Serving: Present immediately with steamed rice or tender noodles, completing this exquisite Chinese-inspired culinary creation.
Notes
- Manage Cornstarch Coating: Ensure chicken pieces are evenly and lightly coated with cornstarch for maximum crispiness without clumping.
- Control Oil Temperature: Maintain consistent 350F oil heat to prevent soggy or burnt chicken; use a kitchen thermometer for precision.
- Prevent Batter Clumping: Whisk batter ingredients thoroughly and let rest briefly to eliminate lumps, creating a smooth, even coating.
- Strategic Frying Technique: Fry chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature and prevent pieces from sticking together or becoming greasy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg