Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
If you love that irresistible combo of crispy, golden chicken paired with a bright, tangy glaze, then Chinese Lemon Chicken is about to become your new obsession. This takeout favorite delivers perfectly tender pieces of chicken drenched in a sunny, sweet-tart lemon sauce that tastes like pure happiness with every bite. It’s incredibly fun and rewarding to recreate at home, with simple ingredients and techniques that guarantee crunchy, restaurant-style results—only fresher and so much more vibrant.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Chinese Lemon Chicken is how a handful of everyday ingredients, thoughtfully combined, transform into something utterly crave-worthy. Each element here brings its own special sparkle to the plate—from crisp batter to zesty sauce. Here’s what you’ll need, and why it all matters:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (1½ lbs): Choose your favorite cut for the juiciest, most flavorful bites—thighs tend to be a little more forgiving and succulent, while breast is lean and tender.
- Cornstarch (½ cup): This is your secret weapon for the shatteringly crisp coating—the difference between good and wow.
- Large eggs, beaten (2): Acts as the glue that helps the cornstarch adhere and gives each piece that light, airy crunch.
- Vegetable oil (for frying): A neutral oil ensures even browning and won’t overpower the fresh flavors.
- Fresh lemon juice (⅓ cup): Squeezed from real lemons, it creates that iconic zingy sauce that defines Chinese Lemon Chicken.
- Water (½ cup): Balances and stretches the lemon sauce, helping it coat every piece evenly.
- Sugar (¼ cup): Just enough for that sweet-and-sour harmony without masking the citrus shine.
- Soy sauce (1 tablespoon): Adds a layer of savory depth and color to the sauce.
- Cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water): Thickens the sauce to the perfect glaze for your chicken.
- Grated fresh ginger (1 teaspoon, optional): If you’re feeling a little fancy, ginger brings warmth and an extra pop of flavor.
- Lemon zest (1 teaspoon): The essential finishing touch that makes the lemony flavor sing.
How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken
Step 1: Prep and Coat the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces—you want them just right for grabbing with chopsticks or a fork. Toss the chicken pieces in the cornstarch so they’re generously coated; this trick is what gives Chinese Lemon Chicken its irresistible, extra-crispy finish. Then, dip each piece into the beaten eggs. The egg layer helps the coating puff up beautifully as it fries, making every bite super satisfying.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken Until Crispy
Pour about half an inch of vegetable oil into your skillet or wok, then heat it over medium-high. When a drop of batter sizzles on contact, you’re ready to fry. Work in batches to ensure the chicken cooks up crunchy on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer your golden nuggets onto a plate lined with paper towels to let any extra oil drain away—trust me, this step makes a difference.
Step 3: Make the Luscious Lemon Sauce
Now for the centerpiece: the lemon sauce! In a small saucepan, combine fresh lemon juice, water, sugar, soy sauce, and lemon zest (plus ginger if you want a warmer flavor profile). Bring everything to a gentle simmer, then whisk in your cornstarch slurry. It only takes a few minutes for the whole kitchen to fill with the bright aroma as the sauce thickens into a glossy glaze—absolutely mouthwatering.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
You have two options: either toss your crispy chicken into the lemon sauce for a full-on flavor soak, or plate the chicken and drizzle the sauce over right before serving for extra crunch. Both methods are undeniably delicious, so go with whichever mood you’re in. Remember, a finishing sprinkle of sliced green onions or sesame seeds adds a little pop of color and texture.
How to Serve Chinese Lemon Chicken
Garnishes
Make your Chinese Lemon Chicken shine with a handful of fresh garnishes. Whisper-thin green onions add freshness, while a scattering of toasted sesame seeds gives a delightful nutty crunch. You might even add thin lemon rounds or zest curls for an instant boost of color and citrus fragrance. These details not only make your dish look stunning but also highlight those bright, sunny flavors.
Side Dishes
This takeout star is happiest when served alongside fluffy steamed white rice for soaking up all that zippy sauce. Add a side of stir-fried broccoli or snap peas for a dose of green and a fresh, crunchy contrast. If you want to get playful, try serving Chinese Lemon Chicken with fried rice, garlic bok choy, or thin rice noodles tossed in a bit of sesame oil. The possibilities are endless!
Creative Ways to Present
Take your dinner up a notch by serving Chinese Lemon Chicken family-style on a big platter, garnished with lemon slices and bright greens for a wow factor. For parties or game nights, thread the crispy chicken pieces onto small skewers and drizzle the sauce over—suddenly you have irresistible party bites. Or stuff leftovers into lettuce cups for a punchy, refreshing lunch twist the next day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’ve got extra Chinese Lemon Chicken (lucky you!), allow the chicken to cool completely before moving it to an airtight container. Store the leftover chicken and lemon sauce separately in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping them apart helps preserve that delightful crunch, so you don’t lose what you worked so hard to achieve.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze your crispy chicken pieces (without sauce) in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer bag. The sauce can be frozen separately in a small container. This way, you can re-crisp the chicken in the oven and reheat the sauce quickly for a nearly instant Chinese Lemon Chicken fix whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
To bring leftover Chinese Lemon Chicken back to life, spread the chicken pieces out on a baking sheet and pop them in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes until they’re hot and crispy. Warm the sauce in a small pan or microwave, then toss together or drizzle on just before eating. This keeps the texture as close to freshly made as possible.
FAQs
Can I make Chinese Lemon Chicken gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply swap out the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos and double-check that your cornstarch is certified gluten-free. The rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free friendly.
Is it possible to bake or air fry the chicken instead of frying?
Definitely! For a lighter twist, you can bake the coated chicken pieces on a rack at 425°F until golden and cooked through, about 18–20 minutes, or air fry them in a preheated air fryer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes. The result won’t be quite as crispy as frying, but it’s still absolutely delicious.
How do I keep the chicken crispy after adding the sauce?
The best trick is to sauce the Chinese Lemon Chicken right before serving rather than letting it sit, and to keep the chicken and sauce separate until it’s time to eat. You can also serve the sauce on the side so everyone can dip or drizzle as they like.
What can I use instead of chicken?
For a fun twist, try this recipe with tofu (pressed and cut into cubes), shrimp, or even bite-sized pieces of pork. Adjust cooking times as needed, but the signature lemon sauce will work beautifully with all of these versions.
Why does my sauce sometimes turn out too thin or too thick?
The trick to perfect lemon sauce is slowly adding the cornstarch slurry and letting it simmer gently. If your sauce is too thin, cook it a bit longer until it thickens. If it becomes too thick, just whisk in a splash of water until you reach your preferred consistency.
Final Thoughts
There’s truly nothing like sharing a scratch-made plate of Chinese Lemon Chicken, where every bite crackles and zings with fresh lemon flavor. I hope this recipe brings you just as much joy (and as many requests for seconds) as it does in my own kitchen—give it a try and savor all the irresistible, homemade goodness!
Print
Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe brings together crispy fried chicken bites coated in a sweet and tangy lemon sauce. It’s a delicious takeout-inspired dish that you can easily make at home.
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the lemon sauce:
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (slurry)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Coat the chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken pieces with cornstarch until fully coated. Dip each piece into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off.
- Fry the chicken: Heat about ½ inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 3–4 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Make the lemon sauce: In a saucepan, combine lemon juice, water, sugar, soy sauce, ginger, and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer and stir in the cornstarch slurry. Cook until thickened, about 2–3 minutes.
- Finish the dish: Toss the crispy chicken in the lemon sauce or drizzle the sauce over before serving. Garnish with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Serve with steamed rice and broccoli for a complete meal.
- For a lighter version, consider baking or air frying the chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
