The Best Chinese Lemon Chicken You Can Make at Home
Published: 27 May 2025
Chinese Lemon Chicken is a delightful and zesty dish that combines crispy chicken with a tangy, sweet lemon sauce for chicken. This Chinese-inspired chicken recipe is perfect for anyone craving a flavorful, easy-to-make meal. The chicken is pan-fried to golden perfection, coated in a light, crispy coating, and then tossed in a luscious, sticky lemon sauce.
The balance of savory and sweet in the sauce, along with the crispiness of the chicken, creates a mouthwatering combination. Ready in just 30 minutes, Chinese Lemon Chicken is an ideal dish for busy weeknights or a family dinner. Serve it over jasmine rice with lemon chicken or your favorite noodles for a complete meal.
What is Chinese Lemon Chicken?
Chinese Lemon Chicken is a popular dish in Chinese-American cuisine. It consists of crispy lemon chicken where pieces of chicken breasts for lemon chicken are coated in a flavorful lemon glaze for chicken. The chicken is pan-fried, giving it a golden brown, crispy exterior while remaining tender inside. The sauce, made from lemon juice for chicken, soy sauce in Chinese lemon chicken, and sugar, adds a sweet and tangy finish that complements the chicken’s crispy texture. This dish isn’t typically found in traditional Chinese cooking but has become a favorite in Chinese-American restaurants.
The sauce is the heart of Chinese lemon chicken recipe. It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and has just the right amount of acidity from the lemon juice and zest in sauce. The crispy coating, often made with cornstarch for crispy chicken, is light and crunchy, making every bite delightful. It’s easy to make at home, and you won’t miss the takeout version once you master this recipe.
Why You’ll Love Chinese Lemon Chicken
Chinese Lemon Chicken is one of those dishes that you can’t get enough of. Its combination of crispy coating for chicken and zesty, sticky lemon sauce makes it incredibly addictive. Whether you’re craving something light or a dish that’s a little bit indulgent, this recipe is perfect. The pan-frying chicken technique ensures the chicken stays crispy, and the sauce coats each piece of chicken without making it soggy. Plus, it’s ready in just 30 minutes, making it a quick Chinese chicken recipe perfect for busy weeknights.
Another reason to love Chinese lemon chicken is its versatility. You can serve it with rice to serve with lemon chicken like jasmine rice with lemon chicken or pair it with Udon noodles with lemon chicken for an Asian-inspired meal. The tangy lemon sauce adds an exciting flavor, and the crispy chicken complements the sauce beautifully, making it a satisfying dish everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Chinese Lemon Chicken
To make Chinese Lemon Chicken, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Start with chicken breasts for lemon chicken, sliced thin to help them cook quickly and evenly. You’ll also need cornstarch for crispy chicken, which is essential for getting the crispy coating. For the sauce, gather lemon juice for chicken, chicken broth in lemon sauce, soy sauce in Chinese lemon chicken, and sugar in lemon sauce to balance the sweetness and tang. Olive oil for frying will give your chicken that golden, crispy exterior.
For garnish, you can add scallions for garnish, which add a nice pop of color and freshness. Garlic powder in chicken marinade and egg in chicken marinade help flavor and bind the flour to the chicken, ensuring a crispy finish. With these ingredients, you’ll create a mouthwatering dish that rivals any restaurant-style lemon chicken with rice.
How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken – Step-by-Step Recipe
Making Chinese Lemon Chicken is easier than you might think. First, cut the chicken breasts in half and season them with salt and pepper. Then, toss the chicken pieces in a mixture of cornstarch for crispy chicken and flour. In a separate bowl, beat two eggs in chicken marinade to help the coating stick. Next, heat olive oil for frying in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
Once the chicken is fried, set it aside and prepare the sauce. In the same skillet, melt some unsalted butter, then add lemon juice and zest in sauce, sugar, and chicken broth. Whisk until the sauce thickens, then toss the chicken back into the skillet and coat it with the sauce. Garnish with scallions for garnish and serve with jasmine rice with lemon chicken or noodles. Enjoy your homemade crispy lemon chicken in just 30 minutes!
Do I Have to Use Only Chicken Breasts?
No, you don’t have to use only chicken breasts for lemon chicken. Chicken thighs for lemon chicken work great as well. They’re juicier and have more flavor than chicken breasts, so they make an excellent alternative. Just make sure to cook the chicken thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. If you prefer a leaner option, chicken breasts are the best choice, but either cut will give you a tasty result.
For those who prefer a vegetarian option, you can also try using tofu instead of chicken. Coat and fry the tofu the same way as chicken, and it will absorb the flavors of the lemon sauce for chicken beautifully. Experiment with different proteins to make this dish your own.
Can I Add Some Veggies to This Lemon Chicken?
Absolutely! Chinese Lemon Chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of vegetables. You can add broccoli to the dish for some extra texture and color. Zucchini, green beans, or snow peas would also complement the crispy chicken and tangy sauce. Simply sauté the vegetables in the same skillet or steam them before adding them to the dish. These veggies soak up the lemon sauce for chicken, adding an extra layer of flavor and making the dish more balanced.
Vegetables like broccoli ramen slaw salad also work well as a side dish. They’re light and fresh, making them a perfect companion to the rich, tangy lemon chicken sauce. Adding veggies is a great way to make this meal even more nutritious without compromising on taste.
What Goes Well with Chinese Lemon Chicken?
Chinese Lemon Chicken is delicious on its own, but pairing it with the right sides makes the meal even better. Serve it with rice to serve with lemon chicken, such as jasmine rice with lemon chicken, which absorbs the lemon sauce perfectly. You can also pair it with Udon noodles with lemon chicken for an Asian-inspired meal. For a veggie-packed option, add a side of skillet green beans or parmesan roasted broccoli. These sides balance the richness of the sauce and add color to your plate.
For a complete meal, finish with a fresh salad like broccoli ramen slaw salad, which adds a crunchy and refreshing contrast to the warm, tangy chicken. With these sides, you’ll have a meal that’s both satisfying and well-rounded.
Leftovers – How to Store and Reheat Chinese Lemon Chicken
If you have leftovers, you can store Chinese Lemon Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Keep in mind that the chicken will lose some of its crispy coating for chicken over time. To reheat crispy chicken, place it in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating. You can also reheat it on the stovetop, but avoid using the microwave, as it can make the coating soggy.
For longer storage, you can freeze Chinese Lemon Chicken for up to 3 months. To freeze, store the chicken and sauce separately. When ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven or stovetop to restore the crispiness.
More Chinese Food Recipes You’ll Love
If you love Chinese Lemon Chicken, you’ll enjoy other Chinese-inspired lemon chicken recipes like General Tso’s Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and Sweet and Sour Chicken. These dishes are similar in flavor and offer that crispy chicken and rich sauce combination that’s so satisfying. You can find these recipes on our blog to try something new while still enjoying the flavors you love.
FAQs
1. What is lemon chicken from the Chinese?
Lemon chicken in Chinese cuisine refers to a dish made with crispy chicken coated in a tangy, sweet lemon sauce for chicken, often served with rice.
2. What is lemon chicken sauce made of?
Lemon chicken sauce is typically made with lemon juice, sugar, chicken broth, and cornstarch to thicken it, creating a sweet and tangy glaze.
3. Is Chinese lemon chicken good?
Yes, Chinese lemon chicken is delicious! It features a crispy chicken exterior and a flavorful, tangy lemon sauce, making it a popular choice for many.
4. What is the most popular Chinese chicken dish?
The most popular Chinese chicken dish is likely General Tso’s Chicken, known for its crispy chicken in a sweet, savory, and slightly spicy sauce.
5. What is the tastiest Chinese dish?
The tastiest Chinese dish is subjective, but Peking Duck is often considered a top choice due to its crispy skin and rich, savory flavor. Kung Pao Chicken is also a favorite, with its perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors.
Conclusion
Chinese Lemon Chicken is a dish that brings together the best of crispy chicken and tangy lemon sauce in a quick and easy recipe. Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a special dish to impress guests, this recipe delivers. The crispy chicken combined with the bright, sticky sauce makes it a true favorite. Give it a try and enjoy the homemade Chinese-style lemon chicken you’ve been craving.
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- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
