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Crispy Chinese Lemon Chicken

crispy Chinese lemon chicken - featured image
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A quick and easy crispy Chinese lemon chicken with a tangy glaze that balances sweet, savory, and zesty flavors, perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (peanut or canola oil recommended)
  • 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (for thickening)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Optional garnishes: chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into 1 to 1.5 inch bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Beat the egg in a bowl. Place cornstarch in another bowl. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then coat thoroughly with cornstarch. Set aside.
  3. Heat about 1.5 inches of vegetable oil in a wok or deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Fry chicken pieces in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  5. In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, sugar, soy sauce, grated ginger, rice vinegar, and lemon zest. Whisk to combine.
  6. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
  7. Transfer fried chicken to a large bowl. Pour hot lemon glaze over and toss gently to coat evenly.
  8. Garnish with chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, or fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) for best crispiness. Double frying the chicken can increase crunch. Toss chicken with hot glaze off the heat to keep coating crisp. For gluten-free, substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder and soy sauce with tamari. Air frying is a lighter alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon chicken, crispy chicken, Chinese recipe, tangy glaze, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/crispy-chinese-lemon-chicken-recipe-easy-tangy-glaze-step-by-step/