Description
Zesty Chinese Lemon Chicken dances with tangy citrus and crispy golden coating, promising a flavor explosion. Juicy chicken pieces glazed in bright sauce deliver restaurant-quality satisfaction you can easily recreate at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 700 grams (25 ounces) boneless skinless chicken thighs, bite-size pieces
Seasoning and Coating:
- 4 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- Salt
- White pepper
Sauce and Aromatics:
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons light soy sauce
- 120 milliliters (1/2 cup) chicken stock
- 4 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3 green onions, chopped (green part only)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper to ensure optimal cooking conditions for the chicken.
- Thoroughly dry chicken thighs using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Create a coating mixture of cornstarch, baking soda, salt, and white pepper. Carefully coat each chicken piece, ensuring even distribution of the dry ingredients.
- Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the prepared tray. Lightly spray with cooking spray to enhance crispiness. Bake for 30 minutes, rotating the pieces midway to guarantee uniform golden-brown coloration and consistent cooking.
- Simultaneously craft the lemon sauce by combining lemon juice, zest, soy sauce, chicken stock, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and cornstarch in a saucepan. Heat over medium-high temperature, continuously whisking until the sauce reaches a smooth, thickened consistency (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- Remove chicken from the oven and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Gently pour the warm lemon sauce over the baked pieces, carefully tossing to ensure complete and even coating.
- Garnish the glazed chicken with finely chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, adding a final layer of flavor and visual appeal.
- Plate and serve immediately while the chicken remains hot and the sauce is at its most vibrant.
Notes
- Optimize chicken crispiness by thoroughly patting meat dry before coating, ensuring maximum texture and flavor absorption.
- Customize coating mixture with additional spices like paprika or garlic powder for personalized flavor profile enhancement.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce and honey alternatives for dietary restrictions, maintaining recipe’s authentic taste while accommodating health needs.
- Prepare sauce ingredients beforehand to streamline cooking process and prevent potential sauce burning during quick preparation stages.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg