Crispy Chinese Lemon Chicken
This easy-to-make recipe for crispy Chinese lemon chicken is sticky-sweet, sour, and tangy with an irresistible crunch factor.
Ingredients
Chicken/Marinade
- 2 lbs chicken breast boneless, skinless
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
Batter
- 1/3 cup flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
Sauce
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tbsp lemon zest
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp corn syrup
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Garnish
- 1 lemon sliced into rings
- 4 green onions chopped fine
- jasmine rice steamed
Instructions
- Cut each chicken breast into 4 equal pieces. In a large bowl mix together the marinade ingredients. Toss the chicken in the marinade, cover with wrap and marinate for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil in deep skillet or wok to 350°F.
- In a large bowl mix together the batter ingredients. Transfer drained chicken (reserve marinade) to the batter bowl, tossing to mix together.
- Add the reserved marinade and all of the Sauce ingredients (except the water and cornstarch) to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring. In a small bowl mix the water and cornstarch together. Stir into the sauce. This will thicken in a few seconds. Cover and turn heat off.
- Fry chicken in batches, don't over crowd the pan, and cook 3-4 minutes, turning until both sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towel lined baking sheet or platter. Turn heat up to reach 375°F and add all chicken back into the oil. Fry, tossing chicken, for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove chicken, drain on paper towels again. Slice each chicken piece into 2-3 pieces and arrange on platter with lemon slices. Pour warm sauce on top and garnish with green onions. Serve with steamed jasmine rice, or rice of choice.
Notes
- Nutritional information is for chicken and sauce only, jasmine rice not included.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 328
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 328kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 125mg | 42% |
| Sodium | 1094mg | 46% |
| Potassium | 687mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 20g | 40% |
| Vitamin A | 197IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 20mg | 22% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.