This Chinese lemon chicken recipe uses a honey-lemon glaze to create a crisp, light dish that’s as good for meal prep as it is for dinner. Unlike traditional deep-fried versions, this Asian lemon chicken is pan-seared, finished in a quick sauce, and balanced with rice and vegetables for a complete meal.Note - measurements can be approximate
Heat 15 g(1tablespoon) extra virgin olive oil in a large pan then add chicken pieces. Cook until golden brown (approx. 3-5 minutes each side).
Add sauce to the chicken, stir well and bring to the boil. Add the 5 g(2 teaspoon) corn starch to 1 tablespoon water, mix, then add to the sauce and bring to a boil (bubbling). When bubbling, lower the heat until it thickens (approx. 5-10 minutes).
Cook Vegetables
Cook 1 broccoli , and 2 carrots , to your preferences; or add just enough water to cover the bottom of a large pan, then add pieces of broccoli and carrot to the water and cover to steam for 6-10 minutes or until bright in colour and tender.
Serve
Video
Notes
Note 1 - ProteinsYou can vary the proteins for this. Chicken thigh will give a fattier, juicier taste to the dish. Tofu will make it vegetarian (vegan if you replace the eggs) and be quite similar to the chicken breast.You could even make this with fish. I haven't done this exact dish personally with fish, but I have done similar coating and a sauce, giving my fish a lemony flavour and it was delicious.I personally haven't tried making this sauce with any other protein (such as beef or pork), but if you do, let me know how it turns out!Note 2 - Soy Sauce Substitutions - tamari, coconut aminos, liquid aminos, fish sauce, Worcestershire sauceNote 3 - White VinegarSubstitutions - apple cider vinegar, malt vinegar, white wine vinegar, rice vinegar, lemon juiceNote 4 - LemonIf you're not a huge fan of strong lemon flavour, I suggest leaving the extra zest out of the chicken coating.Note 5 - Garlic/GingerI do recommend fresh garlic and ginger if you can as it is a lot more flavourful with less preservatives than what comes pre-crushed in a jar. If you do use jar amounts, double the quantity I have provided in the recipe.If you're sensitive to the flavour, omit (it just won't taste quite as flavourful)Note 6 - Chicken StockIf you want a more flavourful dish, you could use cream of chicken soup instead of the broth/stock. I like the lightness of the broth/stock in comparison to the cream of chicken soup, but if you're a fan of creamy flavours, try the soup out! I also have a homemade chicken stock you could try.StoringStore in the fridge in good airtight containers for up to 4 days.ReheatingIf storing the lemon chicken with rice and vegetables, add a drizzle of water over the entire dish before reheating in the microwave. Microwave on 1 minute increments and gently stir to ensure the whole dish reheats evenly (approx. 3 minutes).