Chinese Lemon Chicken

How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken

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1. Mix the chicken with the soy sauce, rice wine and white pepper in a bowl and marinate for 15 minutes.

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2. Stir the egg white into the chicken until it is coated, then sprinkle over the 80 g of cornflour and toss until every piece is dusted, shaking off any excess.

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3. Whisk the stock, lemon juice and sugar together in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornflour mixture and cook for 1 minute until glossy and thick. Add the sesame oil and lemon slices and keep warm on the lowest heat.

   Mark done Start 1 min timer

4. Heat the oil in a wok or deep, heavy pan to 180°C / 355°F. Deep-fry the chicken in 3 batches for 4 to 5 minutes each until golden and crisp, turning occasionally.

   Mark done Start 4 min timer

5. Lift each batch out with a slotted spoon onto a wire rack set over a tray, and let the oil come back up to 180°C between batches.

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6. For an extra-crisp finish, fry all the chicken again for 1 minute.

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7. Pile the chicken on shredded lettuce and rice, pour the hot lemon sauce over, and serve at once.

   Mark done

Tips for Making Chinese Lemon Chicken

• Sauce the chicken at the table or just before serving. Sitting in the sauce for even a few minutes softens the crust, and the crunch is what makes it.
• Use a thermometer for the oil. Below 170°C the coating soaks up oil and turns greasy, and above 190°C it browns before the chicken is cooked.
• Adjust the sauce to your taste before thickening it. Lemons vary a lot, so add a spoonful more sugar if it is too sharp.

Common Substitutions & Variations

• Vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock makes this meat-free without changing the method, if that is what you need.

What to Serve with Chinese Lemon Chicken

• Steamed jasmine rice
• Stir-fried greens with garlic
• Egg fried rice

Storing & Reheating Chinese Lemon Chicken

Best eaten straight away. Keep the sauce and chicken separate in the fridge for up to 2 days, then re-crisp the chicken in a 200°C / 400°F oven for 8 minutes and reheat the sauce before combining.

Chinese Lemon Chicken FAQ: Common Questions

Chinese Lemon Chicken Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.