Lemon Chicken Chinese Food: A Crispy & Tangy Home-Style Recipe

Craving that irresistible sweet and tangy flavor of lemon chicken from your favorite Chinese restaurant? You’re in luck! This recipe brings the classic takeout dish right to your kitchen, offering a homemade version that’s just as delicious, if not better, than what you’d order. Forget the takeout menus; with a few simple steps, you can create crispy Lemon Chicken Chinese Food that will impress your family and friends.

Why settle for delivery when you can enjoy the freshest, most flavorful lemon chicken chinese food made with your own hands? This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend feast. Pair it with fluffy steamed rice and your choice of vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal that brings the authentic taste of Chinese cuisine to your table.

If you’re on a journey to recreate your favorite Chinese dishes at home, lemon chicken chinese food is an essential recipe to master. Just like other beloved classics such as beef and broccoli, kung pao shrimp, and egg rolls, homemade lemon chicken offers a fresher and often healthier alternative to takeout. This crispy lemon chicken recipe is a fantastic addition to your repertoire of Chinese food recipes, guaranteeing a delightful culinary experience.

Making Crispy Lemon Chicken at Home: Step-by-Step

The secret to amazing lemon chicken chinese food lies in two key components: perfectly crispy chicken and a vibrant, tangy lemon sauce. Let’s break down how to achieve both in your own kitchen.

Preparing the Crispy Chicken

The foundation of this dish is crispy, tender chicken. We achieve this through a simple yet effective battering and frying process. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, are ideal for this recipe. Chicken thighs can also be used for a richer flavor.

To create the crispy coating, the chicken pieces are first dipped in a seasoned egg mixture, ensuring moisture and flavor. Then, they are generously coated in a blend of cornstarch and flour. This combination is crucial; cornstarch contributes to the crispiness, while flour provides structure to the batter.

Next comes the frying. Using canola or vegetable oil is recommended for frying due to their neutral flavor and high smoke point. Maintaining the correct oil temperature is paramount for perfectly fried chicken. A thermometer is your best friend here, ensuring the oil stays within the 350-375°F (175-190°C) range. If the oil is too hot, the coating will burn before the chicken cooks through. Conversely, if the oil is too cold, the chicken will absorb excess oil, resulting in a greasy texture. Fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy, ensuring it’s cooked through.

Crafting the Perfect Lemon Sauce

While the chicken is frying to golden perfection, it’s time to prepare the star of the dish: the lemon sauce. This sauce is a harmonious blend of fresh lemon juice, sugar, water, and cornstarch, creating that signature sweet and tangy flavor profile of lemon chicken chinese food.

It’s crucial to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the most vibrant and authentic flavor. Avoid bottled lemon juice, as it lacks the brightness and freshness that fresh juice provides. The sauce may appear lighter in color compared to restaurant versions. This is because some restaurants use artificial food coloring to enhance the yellow hue, which is unnecessary when you have the natural brightness of fresh lemons.

To create the sauce, simply combine lemon juice, sugar, and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer. A cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with cold water) is then added to thicken the sauce to the perfect consistency. Cook until the sauce thickens, stirring continuously to prevent lumps.

Finally, toss the crispy fried chicken pieces in the luscious lemon sauce, ensuring each piece is generously coated. Garnish with lemon zest, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions for an extra layer of flavor and visual appeal.

Serving Suggestions for Lemon Chicken Chinese Food

The best way to enjoy lemon chicken chinese food is immediately after cooking, while the chicken is still wonderfully crispy. Serving it over steamed rice is a classic and satisfying choice, allowing the tangy sauce to complement the plain rice perfectly.

To create a balanced and nutritious meal, serve lemon chicken with a side of steamed vegetables. Broccoli and asparagus are excellent choices that pair well with the lemon flavors. For those who love noodles, consider serving lemon chicken with Chinese noodles like chow mein for a heartier meal.

Keep in mind that the crispy coating on the chicken is best enjoyed fresh. As the sauced chicken sits, the coating will gradually soften. Therefore, for the ultimate crispy lemon chicken chinese food experience, serve and enjoy it right away!

This homemade lemon chicken recipe is sure to become a family favorite. It’s so easy and delicious that you’ll think twice before ordering takeout again. Bring the joy of authentic Chinese flavors into your home kitchen and savor every bite of this crispy, tangy, and delightful lemon chicken chinese food!

More Chinese Food Recipes You’ll Love

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Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

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Description: This Chinese lemon chicken recipe delivers crispy battered chicken smothered in a sweet and tangy lemon sauce, recreating the beloved takeout classic with restaurant-quality taste.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian
Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch pieces
2 eggs lightly beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Oil for frying (canola or vegetable oil)
1/3 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 tablespoons sliced green onions
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Instructions

Place the eggs, salt, and pepper in a bowl and stir to combine.
In a shallow bowl or on a plate, combine flour and 1/2 cup of cornstarch.
Dip each chicken piece in the egg mixture, then dredge in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Repeat with all chicken.
Heat about 3 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
Fry chicken in batches of 7-8 pieces for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Repeat until all chicken is cooked.
Drain fried chicken on paper towels.
While chicken cooks, prepare the lemon sauce. In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar, and water. Bring to a simmer.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry.
Pour cornstarch slurry into the simmering lemon juice mixture.
Bring sauce to a boil and cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes until thickened.
Toss crispy chicken with lemon sauce, ensuring even coating. Stir in lemon zest.
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrition Information