Chinese Lemon Chicken: Crispy, Tangy, and Better Than Takeout

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If you love crispy chicken coated in a bright, tangy sauce, Chinese Lemon Chicken is a must-try recipe. This classic Chinese takeout favorite features golden fried chicken tossed in a sweet and sour lemon sauce that’s bursting with fresh citrus flavor. It’s crunchy, sticky, and incredibly satisfying—yet surprisingly easy to make at home.

At FoodieMoms, this recipe is a favorite because it delivers restaurant-style results using simple pantry ingredients. The homemade lemon sauce is fresh, vibrant, and perfectly balanced, making it far superior to most takeout versions.

What Is Chinese Lemon Chicken?

Chinese Lemon Chicken is a popular dish found in many Chinese-American restaurants. It typically consists of battered and fried chicken breast served with a glossy lemon sauce made from fresh lemon juice, sugar, and soy sauce. The contrast between crispy chicken and silky sauce is what makes this dish so irresistible.

Unlike heavy orange or general tso sauces, lemon chicken feels lighter and brighter—perfect for anyone who loves citrus-forward dishes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Extra crispy chicken coating
  • Fresh lemon flavor (not artificial)
  • Perfect sweet-and-sour balance
  • Ready in under 40 minutes
  • Better than takeout and budget-friendly

It’s ideal for weeknight dinners, special occasions, or when you’re craving Chinese food without ordering out.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Cornstarch
  • All-purpose flour
  • Eggs
  • Oil for frying
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Granulated sugar
  • Soy sauce
  • Garlic
  • Fresh ginger
  • Water
  • Cornstarch slurry (for thickening)

Fresh lemons are key to getting that bright, authentic flavor.

How to Make Chinese Lemon Chicken

  1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Coat chicken in egg, then dredge in cornstarch and flour.
  3. Fry until golden and crispy; drain well.
  4. Simmer lemon juice, zest, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
  5. Thicken sauce with cornstarch slurry.
  6. Toss crispy chicken in warm lemon sauce and serve immediately.

Timing is everything—combine the chicken and sauce just before serving to keep it crispy.

Tips for Crispy Lemon Chicken

  • Use cornstarch for maximum crispiness.
  • Fry in small batches to keep oil hot.
  • Pat chicken dry before breading.
  • Serve immediately after tossing in sauce.
  • Add sauce gradually if you prefer extra crunch.

Chinese Lemon Chicken

Crispy fried chicken tossed in a sweet and tangy homemade lemon sauce, better than takeout.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 480

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lb chicken breast cut into pieces
  • 0.5 cup cornstarch
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1.5 cups oil for frying
  • 0.5 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Deep skillet or wok
  • Saucepan
  • Slotted spoon

Method
 

  1. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Dip chicken pieces into egg, then coat with cornstarch and flour.
  3. Fry chicken in batches until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
  4. In a saucepan, combine lemon juice, zest, sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
  5. Simmer sauce until sugar dissolves, then stir in cornstarch slurry.
  6. Cook until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
  7. Toss fried chicken in lemon sauce just before serving.

Notes

Serve immediately for best crispiness.

Flavor Variations

Spicy Lemon Chicken
Add chili flakes or chili oil to the sauce.

Honey Lemon Chicken
Replace half the sugar with honey.

Baked Lemon Chicken
Air-fry or bake chicken for a lighter version.

Orange-Lemon Chicken
Use half lemon juice, half orange juice.

What to Serve With Lemon Chicken

  • Steamed jasmine rice
  • Fried rice
  • Stir-fried vegetables
  • Lo mein noodles
  • Steamed broccoli or bok choy

The sauce pairs beautifully with plain rice to soak up every drop.

Storage & Reheating Tips

  • Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat chicken separately to preserve crispiness.
  • Sauce can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
  • Not freezer-friendly due to fried coating.

Why FoodieMoms Loves This Recipe

At FoodieMoms, we love recreating restaurant favorites at home in a way that’s approachable and reliable. Chinese Lemon Chicken delivers bold flavor, crisp texture, and that nostalgic takeout taste—without the wait or expense.

This recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something crispy, tangy, and satisfying, Chinese Lemon Chicken is the perfect dish. Fresh citrus flavor, crunchy chicken, and glossy sauce make this recipe a standout you’ll want to make again and again.

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