Chinese Buffet Style Lemon Chicken

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Chinese

Prep Time: 40

Cook Time: 40

Total Time: 1 20

Servings: serving

Calories: 270kcal

Author: Lord Byron's Kitchen

A make-at-home version of the classic buffet-style fried chicken in a thick, gooey lemon sauce! Chinese Buffet Style Lemon Chicken is everything you need to make dinner extra special. And, it's tastier, fresher, and cheaper than ordering take out too!

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Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 large chicken breasts, cut into thin pieces and strips
1 cup corn starch
3 large eggs
3 tablespoons water

For the Sauce:

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups water
2 tablespoons corn starch, heaping tablespoons
8 cups vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

Whisk together the eggs, water, and cornstarch in a large bowl. Add the chicken pieces and toss well to coat every single piece. Cover the bowl and let the chicken sit at room temperature while you prepare the sauce and set the oil for frying.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, water, and corn starch until completely incorporated and the sugar has dissolved. Set aside.
Next, prepare to fry the chicken by using a wide skillet with high sides. Pour enough vegetable oil in the skillet so that the oil is about 4 inches deep. Bring the oil to 350 degrees.
When the oil is ready, use tongs to gently place one piece of chicken at a time in the oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken in a single layer - about 12-15 pieces at a time. Fry them for 4-5 minutes until lightly browned and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate while you fry the next batch.
When all of the chicken has been fried, carefully remove the hot oil from the skillet and wipe the excess oil out.
Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet, and over medium heat, bring the sauce to a boil, whisking often. Once the sauce has thickened, add the fried chicken back to the skillet and toss well to coat. Cook for 2-3 more minutes before serving.

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