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–+ servings
Crispy Chinese Lemon Chicken

Crispy Chinese Lemon Chicken That Beats Takeout Every Time

Crispy Chinese Lemon Chicken recipe with double-fried chicken thighs and tangy lemon sauce that’s perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 500 grams Chicken Thigh Fillets Juiciness and flavor; chicken breasts can be used for a lighter option.
  • 1 teaspoon Cooking Salt (Kosher) Enhances flavor.
For the Batter
  • 100 grams Cornflour (Cornstarch) Adds extra crispiness.
  • 150 grams Plain Flour (All-Purpose) Provides structure.
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder Creates puffiness.
  • 300 ml Soda Water Makes batter light and crispy.
For the Frying
  • 500 ml Vegetable/Canola Oil Ideal for deep frying.
For the Sauce
  • 250 ml Chicken Stock/Broth (Low Sodium) Adds depth to sauce.
  • 4 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice Provides vibrant flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Sugar (White) Balances acidity.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Use freshly grated.
  • 1 teaspoon Ginger Use freshly grated.
  • 2 tablespoons Chinese Cooking Wine (Shaoxing) Adds complexity.

Equipment

  • Heavy-Based Pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Thermometer
  • Slotted spoon
  • cooling rack
  • saucepan

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Begin by pounding the chicken thighs to a uniform thickness of about 0.7 cm and season with kosher salt.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine plain flour, cornflour, and baking powder. Gradually pour in the cold soda water until just combined.
  3. In a heavy-based pot, pour enough vegetable oil to submerge the chicken pieces and heat to 160°C (320°F).
  4. Dip each chicken piece into the chilled batter and fry for about 3 minutes until pale golden. Let cool on a rack.
  5. In a small saucepan, whisk a tablespoon of cornflour with a splash of chicken stock. Add remaining stock, lemon juice, sugar, garlic, and ginger, stirring well. Heat for about 3 minutes until thickened.
  6. Raise the oil temperature to 200°C (390°F) and fry the chicken pieces again for 3 minutes or until deep golden and crispy.
  7. Slice the crispy chicken and plate. Drizzle warm lemon sauce over the chicken and optionally garnish with green onions and lemon slices.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 25gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Chill the batter before frying for the best results. Allowing the chicken to cool ensures extra crispiness in the second fry.

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