Lemon Chicken – Asian Style

Chicken in a light lemon sauce.

More tangy than sweet.

This is basically the same batter I use when I make halibut fish and chips.

The only difference is the addition of a couple of egg yolks which are optional.

A crisp, light batter similar to Tempura.

I use a vintage cast iron pot as my fryer.

Frying Tip

The oil should be hot – 375°F to 400°F

I have found the best way to get the chicken from the batter to the fryer is to use your fingers.

Don’t use tongs.

Place one piece of chicken at a time in the batter and then using your finger tips, lift the chicken letting some of the excess batter drip back into the bowl.

Don’t just drop the chicken into the hot oil.

Still holding the edge of the chicken with your finger tips, place one end of the chicken breast into the oil, and then slowly allow the rest of the chicken breast to slide in.

This allows the chicken to float and not sink and stick to the bottom of the fryer.

Print Recipe

Lemon Chicken Asian Style

Boneless chicken breasts
Green Onions

Batter

1 cup flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
Salt and pepper
1 to 2 egg yolks (optional)
Soda Water

Lemon Sauce

1/2 cup lemon juice
1 1/2 cup chicken broth
2 to 4 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 minced garlic clove
1 teaspoon cornstarch mix with a little water.

Place Lemon juice, chicken broth, honey, ginger and garlic in small sauce pan and simmer until reduced by half. Mix cornstarch with a little broth or water and add to sauce. Cook a few minutes.

Note: I prefer the sauce to be tangy rather than sweet. The sauce can be adjusted to suit personal tastes by adding more or less honey.

Chicken

Mix the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt and pepper together. Beat egg yolks (if using) and mix with soda water. Add to flour mixture. Add enough soda water to make a batter that is slightly thinner than a pancake batter. Note: I prefer a thinner, crispy, tempura style batter, for a thicker batter use less soda water.

Pound the chicken breasts out lightly.

Fry chicken breasts, one at a time. Dip chicken breast into this batter. Hold over bowl, letting excess batter drip back into bowl. Slowly add chicken breast to hot oil, and fry until golden brown, turning once or twice. Drain on paper-towels and then place cooked chicken on a rack over baking sheet and place in oven to keep warm while cooking remaining chicken. NOTE: placing on rack will prevent the batter from becoming soggy

To serve, slice chicken, drizzle with lemon sauce and finish with chopped green onion.