Lemon Chicken Pieces (檸汁雞块)
This dish is a popular Chinese recipe where chicken pieces are typically battered, fried, and then coated in a fresh and tangy lemon sauce. Here's a recipe to make Lemon Chicken at home, combining crispy chicken with a zesty lemon sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 500 g boneless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg beaten
- Oil for frying
For the Lemon Sauce:
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water cornstarch slurry
- Zest of one lemon
- Salt to taste
Garnish:
- Thin lemon slices
- Chopped green onions or cilantro
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- In a mixing bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken piece into the beaten egg, then coat with the flour mixture.
- Set the coated chicken aside on a plate.
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken pieces in batches until they are golden brown and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels.
Make the Lemon Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine lemon juice, water, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the lemon zest.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.
Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Toss the fried chicken pieces in the lemon sauce until they are well coated.
Serve:
- Serve the lemon chicken hot, garnished with lemon slices and chopped green onions or cilantro.
- It pairs beautifully with steamed rice or vegetables.
