What is Lemon Chicken? A Tangy and Delicious Chicken Dish

Lemon chicken is a popular chicken dish that features chicken and lemon as its main ingredients It’s a tangy and refreshing take on chicken that is easy to make and enjoyed around the world. But what exactly is lemon chicken and how did it become so widespread? Keep reading to learn all about this zesty chicken recipe

A Brief History of Lemon Chicken

It’s likely that Chinese restaurants in the US or Canada served lemon chicken for the first time in the 1960s or 1970s. Chinese immigrants changed the way they cooked to suit North American tastes. This led to the creation of Chinese-American classics like lemon chicken.

The earliest recorded evidence of a lemon chicken dish on a menu comes from a Chinese restaurant in New York City called Sun Luck Garden in 1969. By the 1970s, lemon chicken had gained popularity and appeared on Chinese restaurant menus across the United States and Canada. The dish was likely inspired by Cantonese cuisine’s propensity for sweet and sour flavors.

Over time, lemon chicken spread beyond North America. It became a standard dish at Chinese restaurants in Australia, the UK, and other places. The dish was changed to fit the tastes of people in different areas, but the classic combination of fried chicken and lemon sauce was kept.

Lemon chicken is still a popular dish at Chinese restaurants around the world. It’s also often made at home, and each family has their own unique take on the recipe. Lemon chicken is a standout dish because the sour zing of the lemon goes well with the crunchy, crispy chicken.

How Lemon Chicken is Prepared

While recipes can vary, lemon chicken is typically made by lightly frying chicken pieces and then tossing them in a sweet and sour lemon sauce. Here are the basic steps:

• Cut chicken into pieces – Chicken breasts, thighs, wings, or tenderloins are cut into bite-sized pieces. This ensures every piece is nicely coated in the sauce.

• Marinate chicken (optional) – The chicken can be marinated in ingredients like egg, corn starch, salt, and pepper for added flavor and juiciness.

• Fry the chicken – The chicken pieces are fried in oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through.

• Make the lemon sauce – The sauce ingredients (like lemon juice, chicken broth, ginger, garlic, sugar, etc.) are whisked together in a pan until thickened and glossy.

• Toss chicken in the sauce—The fried chicken pieces are put right into the pan and tossed in the hot lemon sauce to coat them. This lets the flavors come together perfectly.

• Garnish and serve – Fresh lemon slices or parsley are ideal garnishes. The saucy lemon chicken is served over steamed rice or noodles.

Regional Variations of Lemon Chicken

Lemon chicken has been interpreted in different ways across cuisines, resulting in delicious regional variations:

• American Chinese lemon chicken – Chicken is battered, fried, then coated in a thick, sticky lemon sauce.

• Chinese lemon chicken – Chicken is fried with a light crispy coating, then topped with a thin lemony glaze sauce.

• Italian lemon chicken – Chicken is pan roasted and served with a pan sauce of white wine, chicken stock, lemon, and herbs.

• Greek lemon chicken – Chicken is oven roasted with lemon, garlic, thyme, and olive oil for a Mediterranean twist.

• Spanish lemon chicken – Chicken is cooked with lemon, garlic, white wine, pine nuts, and rosemary for a distinctive Spanish flavor.

• French lemon chicken – Chicken has a creamy lemon and Dijon mustard sauce paired with roasted potatoes for a French-inspired bistro dish.

No matter where you get lemon chicken, the combination of juicy chicken and bright lemon is sure satisfy your cravings!

Why Lemon Chicken is So Delicious

What makes this chicken dish so delectable? Here are some of the top reasons lemon chicken is a crowd pleaser:

• It’s a perfect flavor combo – Tart, bright lemon beautifully balances the richness of fried chicken. The flavors simply go hand-in-hand.

• The crispy crust – A light, crispy coating contrasts nicely with the tender chicken interior.

• The sauce coats each bite – Lemony, glossy sauce adds flavor and moisture to every single bite.

• It has universal appeal – From kids to adults, lemon chicken is a universally loved chicken preparation.

• Simple ingredients, big flavor – With just chicken and lemon as the stars, you get so much from just a few ingredients.

• It’s easy to make – Lemon chicken comes together with minimal time and effort, even on busy weeknights.

Lemon chicken is one of those feel-good dishes that puts a smile on everyone’s face! The tangy lemon flavor livens up boring chicken in the best way.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions for Lemon Chicken

Lemon chicken is versatile enough to be served as an entree, appetizer, or even as a topping for salads or grains. Here are some serving suggestions:

• Serve over steamed jasmine rice or lo mein noodles. The starchy accompaniment soaks up the delicious sauce.

• Pair it with a fresh vegetable like steamed broccoli to balance the meal.

• Stuff lemon chicken into lettuce wraps or summer rolls for a fun finger food.

• Toss cubed lemon chicken with mixed salad greens, veggies, and a dressing as a main course salad.

• Use lemon chicken as a protein topping for rice bowls or Buddha bowls.

• Serve lemon chicken skewers as an appetizer for a Chinese-inspired dinner party.

Lemon chicken pairs nicely with light, crisp beers like lagers and wheat beers. The carbonation and hint of sweetness complements the dish. A Riesling or Gewurztraminer wine would also make a refreshing pairing.

How to Make Restaurant-Quality Lemon Chicken at Home

You can easily recreate crispy lemon chicken with the irresistible lemon glaze at home in your own kitchen. Follow this recipe for foolproof results:

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch chunks
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, peanut, etc.)
• 3/4 cup lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1/4 cup chicken broth

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with the cornstarch until fully coated.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with the salt and pepper.
3. Dip the cornstarch-coated chicken into the egg mixture, then back into the cornstarch to coat again.
4. In a large skillet or wok, heat 1/2 inch of oil over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
5. To make the sauce, whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and cook 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
6. Add the fried chicken pieces to the pan and toss to coat in the lemon glaze sauce.
7. Serve the lemon chicken immediately over steamed rice and garnish with lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy!

With just a few ingredients and easy frying and simmering techniques, you can experience restaurant-worthy lemon chicken without leaving your kitchen. This recipe balances sweet, sour, salty, savory, and spicy flavors in one dish – no wonder it’s so addicting. The next time you feel like taking chicken dinner up a notch, give lemon chicken a try.