Tender chicken with a citrus tinge, this Chinese Lemon Chicken is great for summer or all year round. Easy, tasty and absolutely delicious.

Finished Chinese Lemon Chicken in bowl with sauce and lemon slices.

I’m a huge chicken fan, that is one of the most use meats that I cook in our house. There is just so much you can do with it.

This Chinese Lemon Chicken is always a hit, with the savory of the chicken and the subtle sweetness of the sauce make this a great dinner recipe.

This also makes a larger batch so enough to feed a family for sure. Plus there is also various other things that you can serve it with which I will share with you below.

The flavor pairings in this recipe really go a long way, the sauce itself is just absolutely delicious and makes the recipe.

This is one of those recipes that you will want to add to your must make list, because you are going to want to make it over and over again.

So if you’ve been looking for a new chicken recipe, then this Chinese Lemon Chicken needs to make it to your table ASAP.

Some of my other favorite chicken recipes that we have on our site include: BBQ Chicken Wrap, Bang Bang Chicken and Buffalo Chicken Strips.

Overhead of chicken in bowl with lemon slices.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:

This makes a nice sized batch or a family but you can easily double it.
The sauce makes this recipe and is subtly sweet and works perfectly.
You can serve this with any of your favorites side dishes or as is.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST):

Chicken breasts
Salt
Black pepper
All-purpose flour
Eggs
Vegetable oil for frying
Lemon juice
Low-sodium chicken broth
Granulated sugar
Soy sauce
Lemon zest
Ground ginger
Garlic
Cornstarch
Water
Lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Ingredients needed to make Chinese Lemon Chicken.

HOW TO MAKE CHINESE LEMON CHICKEN, STEP BY STEP:

Salt and pepper chicken.
Heat oil in large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add flour to a shallow dish.
Dredge chicken in flour, then into beaten eggs, then back into flour.
Add breaded chicken to heated oil in batches, fry for 4 minutes, turning halfway through.
Transfer chicken to paper towel lined plate, the repeat with remaining chicken.
Prepare the sauce by adding the lemon juice, chicken broth, soy sauce, sugar, lemon zest, garlic, ginger, to a saucepan and stir. Heat over medium heat until just beginning to simmer, about 4 minutes.
Add cornstarch and cold water to a small mixing bowl and stir until a slurry forms.
Slowly whisk cornstarch into lemon juice mixture and continue to heat for a minute or two or until sauce thickens.
Add chicken to a bowl and pour sauce over top and toss to coat.
Serve with lemon slices.

Step by step photos on how to make Chinese Lemon Chicken.

DO I HAVE TO USE FRESH LEMON JUICE?

Yes, I do not recommend using bottled lemon juice for this recipe. It will taste off and quite fake.

Also we use lemon zest for this recipe, so you will have the lemons anyways so, in short yes you should use fresh lemon juice.

HOW DO I THICKEN UP THE SAUCE?

We do use a slurry in the sauce already which consists of cornstarch and water. If it is not thick enough, then repeat the same amount until you get it to your desired thicknesss.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH THIS LEMON CHICKEN?

So many things can be served with this, different sides and mains or even appetizers. Some of my favorites include:

HOW HOT SHOULD I HAVE MY STOVE TO HEAT MY OIL?

You will want to set it between medium and high heat for this recipe. Which will be between 350 degrees and 375 degrees F.

You can attache a kitchen thermometer to your pan to make sure that the temperature is consistent and doesn’t get too hot where the chicken will burn.

Finished chicken being served over a plate of rice with a bowl of chicken in the background.

HOW TO STORE:

This can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator where it will keep for up to 3-4 days.

I do not recommend freezing this recipe as the breading will get soggy.

To reheat, you can place it back in a pan until heated through or in the microwave.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

Easily double this recipe.
You can serve so many different things with this recipe, see above for ideas.
Using a kitchen thermometer helps keep the temperature even so the chicken doesn’t burn.
Make sure you are using fresh lemon juice for this recipe.
Top with sesame seeds or green onions if you wish.
If the sauce is still too thin, repeat the water and cornstarch again until you get your desired thickness.

Chopsticks holding up a piece of sauced finished chicken.

When it comes to a delicious recipe with a delicious citrus flavor, you absolutely cannot go wrong with this Chinese Lemon Chicken!

If you like this recipe you might also like:

If you’ve tried this CHINESE LEMON CHICKEN or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and what shenanigans I’m getting into!

Chinese Lemon Chicken