This Chinese Lemon Chicken is a delicious chicken stirfry easy recipe featuring crispy fried chicken tossed in a tangy lemon sauce. It’s a quick and satisfying meal you can whip up at home. Plus, it fits right in with easy recipes ninja creami, cheesey potatoes easy recipe, butter swim biscuits easy recipes, easy recipes for dinner, air fryer cookies easy recipes, and food receipt easy recipes lovers.

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Chinese Lemon Chicken
- 4) How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken
- 5) Tips for Making Chinese Lemon Chicken
- 6) Making Chinese Lemon Chicken Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Chinese Lemon Chicken
- 8) Try these Chicken recipes next!
- 9) Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- This Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe is a restaurant-style dish made right at home.
- It uses simple ingredients and is ready in just 30 minutes.
- The crispy coating and tangy lemon sauce make this dish irresistible.
- Great option for busy weeknights or easy meal prepping.
2) Easy Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
If you’re searching for a flavorful and quick chicken stirfry easy recipe, this Chinese Lemon Chicken delivers every time. It has the perfect balance of crispy texture and tangy flavor, making it a favorite for both family dinners and casual entertaining. Whether you’ve tried lemon chicken at a Chinese restaurant or this is your first time, you’ll appreciate the simplicity of the ingredients and how quickly it all comes together. As someone who loves experimenting with flavors, I always find this dish incredibly rewarding because it tastes like takeout but is much healthier and easier to control in your own kitchen. This recipe also fits nicely among easy recipes ninja creami and butter swim biscuits easy recipes, especially when you’re planning a versatile weekly meal menu. With ingredients you probably already have at home, it transforms ordinary chicken into something truly mouthwatering.

3) Ingredients for Chinese Lemon Chicken
Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe. They’re easy to cut into bite-sized chunks and cook quickly, making them perfect for this chicken stirfry easy recipe.
Egg: The egg helps the cornstarch coating stick to the chicken and gives that golden, crispy crust when fried.
Soy Sauce: Adds savory umami flavor to the marinade, balancing out the tartness of the lemon.
Cornstarch: Essential for creating a crispy coating that rivals your favorite takeout version.
Neutral Oil: Use oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil for frying the chicken to a perfect crisp.
Lemon Juice & Zest: Freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest give the sauce its bright, citrusy flavor and aroma.
Sugar: The sugar balances out the acidity of the lemon, giving the sauce a sweet and tangy taste.
Turmeric (optional): A pinch of turmeric enhances the color of the sauce, giving it that signature golden hue often seen in restaurant-style dishes.

4) How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken
Step 1: Start by cutting the chicken breasts into even, bite-sized cubes. Season them lightly with salt and pepper for an added layer of flavor before marinating.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the egg and soy sauce. Add the chicken pieces and let them marinate for about 10 minutes while you prepare the sauce ingredients.
Step 3: Coat the marinated chicken pieces in cornstarch. Make sure each piece is fully covered. This step is essential to achieving that classic crispy texture.
Step 4: Heat oil in a deep skillet or wok. Carefully fry the coated chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry until golden brown and crispy. Set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 5: In a saucepan, mix lemon juice, zest, sugar, water, cornstarch, and turmeric. Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency.
Step 6: Add the crispy chicken to the pan and toss it with the lemon sauce until every piece is coated. Serve immediately with steamed rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

5) Tips for Making Chinese Lemon Chicken
Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the most vibrant flavor. While bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, the fresh version elevates the entire dish. Make sure your chicken is patted dry before coating in cornstarch to prevent sogginess. When frying, maintain medium-high heat to avoid burning and ensure crispiness. Always fry the chicken in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady. If you’re new to making sauces, stir the lemon sauce continuously while it thickens to avoid lumps. This is one of those quick and easy recipes that gets better with practice—and once you master it, you’ll want to keep it on regular rotation.
6) Making Chinese Lemon Chicken Ahead of Time
Chinese Lemon Chicken can be prepared ahead by frying the chicken in advance and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. You can also make the lemon sauce ahead and keep it refrigerated separately. When ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce in a pan, add a splash of water if it’s too thick, and toss the pre-fried chicken in until heated through. This is particularly handy for meal preppers and busy families. For best results, re-crisp the chicken in a hot oven or air fryer before adding the sauce—perfect for fans of air fryer cookies easy recipes who want to use their appliance for savory meals too.
7) Storing Leftover Chinese Lemon Chicken
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, avoid the microwave if you want to maintain the crispy texture. Instead, reheat the chicken in a skillet or oven. If you’ve already tossed the chicken in the sauce, the crispiness may be reduced, but the flavor will remain delicious. For best texture, store the sauce and chicken separately. This dish is so versatile it’s become a staple in my list of food receipt easy recipes that actually taste like something special the next day.
8) Try these Chicken recipes next!
9) Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe

Chinese Lemon Chicken – Chicken Stirfry Easy Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Neutral oil for frying
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric (for color, optional)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, whisk the egg and soy sauce. Add the chicken pieces and mix to coat.
- Dredge the chicken in cornstarch until well-coated.
- Heat oil in a pan and fry the chicken pieces until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- In a small saucepan, combine lemon juice, zest, sugar, water, turmeric, and cornstarch. Bring to a simmer while stirring until the sauce thickens.
- Toss the fried chicken in the lemon sauce until fully coated.
- Serve hot with rice or steamed vegetables.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 plate | Calories: 485 | Sugar: 10 g | Sodium: 620 mg | Fat: 22 g | Saturated Fat: 3.5 g | Carbohydrates: 40 g | Fiber: 1 g | Protein: 28 g | Cholesterol: 105 mg

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