🍋 Lemon Chicken Recipe — A Bright & Crispy Chinese Classic

Lemon Chicken is a beloved Chinese restaurant favorite known for its crispy chicken coated in a tangy, sweet, and refreshing lemon sauce. The golden crust of the chicken pairs beautifully with the zesty glaze, making it a perfect dish for dinner parties, family meals, or a special weekend treat.

In this blog, we’ll make authentic-style Lemon Chicken at home—crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with citrus flavor.

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📝 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

500 g boneless chicken breast or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup cornstarch

2 eggs (beaten)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

Oil for frying

For the Lemon Sauce:

½ cup water

½ cup sugar

½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)

1 tbsp lemon zest

2 tbsp soy sauce

2 tbsp cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry)

For Garnish:

Lemon slices

Toasted sesame seeds (optional)

Chopped spring onions (optional)

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

Pat dry the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

In a bowl, mix flour and cornstarch.

Dip each chicken piece into beaten egg, then coat with the flour mixture.

Shake off the excess coating.

2. Fry Until Golden and Crispy

Heat oil in a deep pan or wok on medium-high flame.

Fry chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and fully cooked (about 4–5 minutes per batch).

Remove and drain on paper towels.

3. Make the Lemon Sauce

In a saucepan, combine water, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and soy sauce.

Bring to a simmer over medium heat.

Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens to a glossy glaze.

4. Coat the Chicken

Add the fried chicken pieces to the lemon sauce.

Gently toss until all pieces are well coated.

5. Garnish and Serve

Top with lemon slices, sesame seeds, and chopped spring onions.

Serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

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📝 Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, double-fry the chicken: fry once until light golden, rest for 5 minutes, then fry again briefly.

Add a hint of chili flakes if you like a spicy lemon flavor.

You can also bake or air fry the chicken for a healthier version.

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🍽 Serving Suggestions

Lemon Chicken pairs beautifully with:

Steamed Jasmine rice

Stir-fried vegetables

Fried rice or lo mein noodles

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🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of sweet, sour, and savory flavors

Crispy chicken with a refreshing citrusy sauce

Quick to prepare and impressive to serve

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✨ Lemon Chicken brings restaurant-style Chinese flavor right to your dining table. Crispy, juicy, and full of zest — it’s sure to be a crowd favorite. Try it once, and it’ll become a regular on your menu!

Would you like me to also give you a baked (non-fried) version of this recipe? 🐔🍋