Quick & Easy Chinese Lemon Chicken

Quick & Easy Chinese Lemon Chicken

Crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet, tangy, and savory lemon sauce. This quick and easy Chinese lemon chicken recipe uses simple ingredients and is ready in just 30 minutes - a family-friendly, restaurant-quality main perfect for busy weeknights!

5 from 22 votes

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings

Calories per serving 616 kcal

Ingredients

1 lbs skinless boneless chicken thighs
⅓ cup cornstarch or potato starch
⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional garnish
lemon slices optional garnish

Sauce

¼ cup brown sugar
3 garlic cloves minced
½ teaspoon ginger grated
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoon lemon juice freshly-squeezed
2 tablespoon regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
½ cup chicken stock low-sodium
½ tablespoon cornstarch or potato starch

Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together the sauce ingredients as listed above. Set aside.
Dice the chicken thighs into even 1.5-inch pieces. Transfer to a large bowl and season with salt and black pepper (don't pat dry-some moisture helps the coating stick).
Add cornstarch and toss with tongs until each piece is evenly coated.
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Fry in small batches until golden, crispy, and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain.
Discard excess oil from the pan and reduce heat to medium. Add the sauce and simmer until thickened.
Return the chicken to the pan and toss to coat. Garnish with sesame seeds or lemon slices.

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