Hereโs a sweet, tangy, and savory Honey Lemon Chicken recipe โ a perfect balance of sticky glaze and zesty citrus, with crispy golden chicken pieces. Great with rice, noodles, or steamed veggies.
๐ Honey Lemon Chicken
๐งพ Ingredients:
For the chicken:
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1 ยฝ lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1/2 cup cornstarch or flour (for coating)
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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2โ3 tbsp oil (vegetable or sesame oil)
For the honey lemon sauce:
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1/3 cup honey
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1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1โ2 lemons)
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1 tbsp soy sauce
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1 tsp lemon zest
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1/2 cup chicken broth or water
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2 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold water (slurry, for thickening)
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Optional: pinch of chili flakes or minced ginger for heat
๐ช Instructions:
1. Prep the chicken:
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Season chicken with salt and pepper.
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Toss chicken in cornstarch or flour until coated.
2. Pan-fry:
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Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook until golden brown and cooked through (about 6โ8 minutes total). Remove and set aside.
3. Make the sauce:
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In the same pan, combine honey, lemon juice, soy sauce, lemon zest, and broth. Bring to a simmer.
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Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook 1โ2 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.
4. Combine:
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Return cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Simmer for 1โ2 minutes more.
5. Serve:
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Garnish with sesame seeds, sliced green onions, or lemon wedges.
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Serve over white rice, jasmine rice, or stir-fried vegetables.
๐ Variations:
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Make it crispy: Deep-fry chicken for extra crunch before saucing.
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Add vegetables: Toss in steamed broccoli or bell peppers.
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Grilled version: Marinate whole chicken thighs in the sauce and grill.