Lightened Up Lemony Chinese Chicken
Brighten up your weeknight dinners with this Lightened Up Lemony Chinese Chicken, a refreshing twist on a takeout classic that’s lighter yet bursting with flavor! Tender, marinated chicken is pan-seared to golden perfection and coated in a luscious citrusy glaze made from fresh lemon juice, honey, and a hint of garlic and ginger. This quick and easy recipe, ready in just 35 minutes, is lower in sodium thanks to low-sodium soy sauce and incorporates wholesome ingredients like sesame oil and green onions for a vibrant finish. Serve it over fluffy steamed rice or alongside crispy stir-fried veggies for a healthier, crowd-pleasing meal that’s destined to become a family favorite. Perfect for fans of light Asian-inspired dishes, this recipe delivers a balance of zesty, sweet, and savory flavors in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 large egg
- 0.25 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 0.33 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp ginger
- 2 stalks green onions
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Prep the chicken by cutting it into bite-sized cubes. Pat the pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps in creating a crisp texture.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the cornstarch, soy sauce, and egg. Whisk together until smooth, then toss in the chicken pieces to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate for about 10 minutes.
3. In the meantime, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, rice vinegar, water, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil. Set aside.
4. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is shimmering, add the marinated chicken in a single layer, working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side or until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
5. Lower the heat to medium and pour the prepared lemon sauce into the skillet. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens.
6. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing it to coat evenly in the sauce. Allow it to heat through for 1-2 minutes.
7. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds. Adjust seasoning with a pinch of salt and black pepper if needed.
8. Serve warm over steamed rice or with a side of stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
376 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 15.8 g | 20% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.0 g | 15% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 143 mg | 48% | |
| Sodium | 514 mg | 22% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 19.4 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.4 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.4 g | ||
| Protein | 37.7 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 35 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 391 mg | 8% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
