Chinese Takeout Lemon Chicken

Enjoy the flavor of Chinese takeout at home with this easy, crispy fried lemon chicken served with a sweet and sour sauce.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 532 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ cup water
• ⅔ cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ½ cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, trimmed and pounded thin

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Mix flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cloves together in a flat dish.

Step 2

Beat eggs and lemon zest together in another flat dish. Add panko bread crumbs to a third shallow dish.

Step 3

Dip each chicken breast into the flour mixture, followed by the egg mixture and the panko mixture to coat thoroughly.

Step 4

Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Pan-fry chicken in batches until browned and no longer pink in the center, turning as needed, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Step 5

While the chicken is cooking, combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Let it start to warm.

Step 6

Whisk lemon juice and cornstarch together in a bowl. Add to the heated syrup and whisk to combine. Slowly turn up the heat until sauce boils and thickens.

Step 7

Pour the desired amount of sauce over each chicken breast and serve.