Lemon Bliss: Tangy Asian-Inspired Crispy Chicken 🍋🍗

Lemon Chicken Recipe 🍋🍗

Cook Time: 6 minutes
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 51 minutes
Servings: 4

Description:

Indulge in the flavors of this Lemon Chicken recipe, a delightful dish that’s worth the extra effort! Perfect for weekends when time isn’t a constraint, this family favorite is a blend of tangy lemon, tender chicken, and savory seasonings, creating a Chinese-inspired culinary delight that’s sure to impress your taste buds.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups herbed croutons
• 1 cup garlic-flavored croutons
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tablespoons margarine
• Salt, to taste
• 12-14 chicken breasts or tenders
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup red bell pepper, shredded
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced
• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons dry sherry or sake
• 2 lemons, zest of
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• Cooking spray
• Lemon slices, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare Crouton Coating:

   • In a food processor, combine herbed and garlic-flavored croutons with butter, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
   • Process until finely ground, then transfer the crumbs to a wide bowl or large plate and set aside.

2. Prepare Chicken:

   • If using chicken breasts, slice them lengthwise into strips about 1/2 to 1/3 inch wide.
   • If using tenders, remove any tendons.
   • Place the chicken strips between sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap.
   • Gently pound the strips with a meat mallet until they are 1/4 to 1/8 inch thick.

3. Coat Chicken:

   • In a small bowl, beat the egg white with 1 tablespoon of water.
   • Dip each chicken strip into the egg white mixture, ensuring both sides are coated.
   • Next, coat the chicken strips with the prepared crouton crumbs.
   • Place the breaded strips on a plate and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

4. Prepare Lemon Sauce:

   • In a saucepan, combine fresh lemon juice, sugar, sherry or sake, soy sauce, chicken base, water, ginger, lemon peel, and salt.
   • In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with an equal amount of water.
   • Bring the lemon sauce to a low boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
   • Quickly stir in the cornstarch mixture to thicken the sauce.
   • Reduce the heat to low to keep the sauce warm, stirring occasionally.

5. Cook Chicken:

   • Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C).
   • Lightly spray a large skillet with cooking spray and preheat over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes.
   • Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and place it in the warm oven.
   • Fry the breaded chicken strips in batches, 3-4 at a time, for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
   • Transfer the cooked chicken strips to the preheated baking dish in the oven to keep warm.

6. Assemble and Serve:

   • Glaze the bottom of a serving platter or individual plates with 2-3 tablespoons of the prepared lemon sauce.
   • Optionally, cut the chicken strips into 2-inch diamond cubes or leave them in strips.
   • Transfer the chicken to the serving platter(s) and drizzle with some of the remaining lemon sauce.
   • Garnish with lemon slices, shredded red pepper, and sliced green onions.
   • Serve immediately, ensuring each piece is partially glazed and partially crispy.
   • Lemon chicken pairs wonderfully with white rice, with extra sauce served on the side for a delightful meal experience.

Enjoy the burst of citrus flavor and tender chicken goodness in every bite of this Lemon Chicken recipe. It’s a culinary adventure worth savoring, perfect for gatherings or special family meals! 🍽️✨