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Chinese Lemon Chicken

Crispy chicken coated in a sweet and tangy lemon sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful dinner.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1 lb chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • vegetable oil for frying
Lemon Sauce
  • 0.5 cup lemon juice fresh
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp cornstarch slurry cornstarch mixed with water
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1 lemon zest from 1 lemon

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Skillet or deep pan
  • Whisk
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Set up dredging station with beaten eggs and cornstarch.
  3. Dip chicken in egg, then coat in cornstarch. Shake off excess.
  4. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry chicken until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  5. Combine lemon juice, sugar, water, soy sauce, and garlic in a saucepan. Simmer over medium heat.
  6. Whisk in cornstarch slurry until sauce thickens. Stir in lemon zest.
  7. Toss fried chicken in lemon sauce until evenly coated.
  8. Serve immediately with garnish of green onions and sesame seeds.

Notes

For extra crispiness, double-dredge chicken by repeating egg and cornstarch coating.