Chinese lemon chicken is crispy chicken under a glossy, bright, tangy-sweet lemon sauce. The air fryer crisps the chicken, then you coat it in the sauce. Here's how.
Key takeaways
Q: How do you make Chinese lemon chicken in an air fryer?
A: Coat chicken in cornflour, air fry at 200°C (400°F) for about 16 minutes, then coat in a tangy lemon sauce.
Q: What's in the sauce?
A: Lemon juice, sugar, a little stock and soy, thickened with cornflour.
The method
Coat sliced chicken in cornflour and air fry until crisp and golden. Simmer lemon juice, sugar, stock and a splash of soy, thickened with a cornflour slurry, into a glossy, tangy sauce. Coat the crisp chicken just before serving and garnish with lemon slices.
The recipe
Air Fryer Chinese Lemon Chicken
Ingredients
- 600g chicken breast, sliced
- 3 tbsp cornflour
- 2 lemons, sugar, stock
- Soy, spring onion
Method
- Coat chicken in cornflour; air fry at 200°C 16 min.
- Simmer the lemon sauce until glossy.
- Coat the crisp chicken.
- Garnish with lemon and spring onion.
Tips
- Fresh lemon gives the brightest flavour.
- Coat at the end so the chicken stays crisp.
- Balance the sauce — tangy but not sour.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make Chinese lemon chicken in an air fryer?
Coat chicken in cornflour, air fry at 200°C for about 16 minutes, then coat it in a glossy lemon sauce of lemon juice, sugar, stock and soy.
How is it different from sweet and sour?
Lemon chicken is sharper and brighter, built around fresh lemon, where sweet and sour is fruitier with pineapple and peppers.
How do you keep the chicken crisp?
Cook it in a single layer and coat it in the sauce only at the last moment so it stays crunchy.