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Lemon Chicken
5 from 86 votes

Lemon Chicken

Lemon Chicken features diced chicken breast marinated briefly with egg, cornstarch, and soy sauce, then stir-fried and coated with a glossy sauce made from chicken broth, cornstarch, sugar, and fresh lemon juice. The dish carries bright citrus notes balanced by savory seasoning and a lightly thickened sauce, garnished optionally with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 258 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Asian-American Fusion

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast diced, boneless skinless
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
Sauce
  • ¾ cup chicken broth
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
Optional Garnish
  • sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onion

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a bowl, combine chicken with egg, cornstarch, and soy sauce. Allow it to marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes or up to 1 hour.
  2. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients.
  3. In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Discard the marinade.
  4. Add chicken to the pan in batches and stir-fry until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  5. Stir the sauce well to ensure the cornstarch is fully incorporated. Pour it into the pan with the chicken. Let it simmer on low heat until it thickened, about 3-4 minutes
  6. Garnish with sesame seeds, thinly sliced green onion, and lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

  • Prepare all ingredients before cooking as this dish comes together quickly.
  • Chilling the chicken in the freezer for 15 minutes before cutting can make dicing easier.
  • Fresh lemon juice is preferred; adding half a teaspoon of lemon zest to the sauce intensifies lemon aroma.
  • Vegetables such as asparagus or green beans can be stir-fried separately and added back to the chicken and sauce for a complete meal.
  • For a crispier chicken, marinate, dust in cornstarch, and deep-fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes, then toss with sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 258 (13%) Carbohydrates 22g (7%) Protein 27g (54%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g (12%) Monounsaturated Fat 2g (10%) Trans Fat 0.03g (2%) Cholesterol 114mg (38%) Sodium 814mg (34%) Potassium 474mg (10%) Fiber 0.2g (1%) Sugar 13g (26%) Vitamin A 95IU (2%) Vitamin C 6mg (7%) Calcium 16mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 258

% Daily Value*

Calories 258 13%
Carbohydrates 22g 7%
Protein 27g 54%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.03g 2%
Cholesterol 114mg 38%
Sodium 814mg 34%
Potassium 474mg 10%
Fiber 0.2g 1%
Sugar 13g 26%
Vitamin A 95IU 2%
Vitamin C 6mg 7%
Calcium 16mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.