Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken – Low Carb, Keto, Paleo

Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken – an easy homemade pressure cooker recipe of the classic Asian Takeout-Style Lemon Chicken. This healthier low carb / keto version of the popular favorite has a light and crispy coating covered in a flavorful sweet, savory and tangy lemon sauce.

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Lemon Chicken is is a popular sweet and tangy deep-fried chicken dish that is served in North American Chinese restaurants. My son absolutely loves anything lemon and Chinese Lemon Chicken happens to be one of his favorite takeout dishes.

We prefer making Chinese takeout food at home because we have more control of what’s going into it. This Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken is based off our popular Asian Lemon Chicken. I’ve adapted the ingredients and method to include instructions for the Instant Pot instead.

The deliciously addicting sauce for this Chinese Lemon Chicken is what makes this dish even better than takeout. It’s got the right balance of sweet, savory and zingy and is full of dimension and flavor.

Plus, this healthier and sugar free version also happens to be low carb, gluten free, keto and paleo friendly. And the best part? Clean-up is a breeze since there’s no deep frying involved.

We make this dish so often that now it usually takes us about 10 minutes to prep and can be on the dinner table in 30 minutes. A quick and healthy supper that’s perfect for busy weeknights.

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT CHINESE LEMON CHICKEN:

• Yes, you can make a batch of Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken ahead of time on your meal prep Sunday and  portion them out into air-tight containers or freezer-friendly bags in the freezer for up to 3 months
• You can reheat them when you’re ready to eat or pack them into lunchboxes for school or work lunch bowls

OTHER HELPFUL TIPS AND SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Switch things up and add your favorite roasted or stir-fried vegetables to the your lunch bowls – I used broccoli, zucchini and red bell peppers
• For easier weekly meal prep – chop all the vegetables ahead of time and store in an airtight container the night before.
• Pack with your favorite low carb side – cauliflower rice, spiralized zoodles or if you’re not keto or low carb, you can pack them with Jasmine or brown rice.

More Instant Pot Recipes:

General Tso’s Chicken – Instant Pot

Cashew Chicken – Instant Pot

Instant Pot Lemon Chicken with Garlic

5 from 3 votes

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Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

30 mins

 

Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken – an easy homemade pressure cooker recipe of the classic Asian Takeout-Style Lemon Chicken. This healthier low carb / keto version of the popular favorite has a light and crispy coating covered in a flavorful sweet, savory and tangy lemon sauce.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Keyword: Asian chicken recipe, chicken, chinese chicken, Instant Pot, keto, lemon, lemon chicken, low carb, paleo, pressure cooker

Servings: 4

Calories: 292 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 1 egg white lightly beaten
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast , cut into bite-sized chunks (or long strips if preferred)
• 1/3 cup almond meal , (can sub with arrowroot starch or cornstarch if not low carb)
• 1/4 cup finely crushed pork rinds , (can sub with panko crumbs if not low carb / keto)
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil , for sauteing

For the Sauce:

• 1/3 cup coconut aminos
• 1-2 tablespoons golden monk fruit sweetener , (can sub with 3 tablespoons honey if not low carb)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic , minced, (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthum gum , (can sub with 1 tablespoon arrowroot starch for paleo)
• 2-3 Tablespoons water , plus more to thin out sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha hot sauce , optional or to taste

Garnish (optional):

• Green onions and sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Combine the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl. Measure out 3 tablespoons and add to a large mixing bowl. Set aside the saucepan. To the mixing bowl, lightly beat in the egg white and add chicken pieces. Mix well.
2. In a large zip-top freezer bag, combine the almond meal, pork rinds, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken and shake well to coat.
3. Turn your Instant Pot to SAUTE then add in oil. Once oil is hot, add the chicken and cook for 1-2 minutes, until a brown coating appears (chicken will not be cooked through which is fine). You may have to work in batches.
4. Once you've browned all the chicken, place back in the Instant Pot and pour in the remaining sauce along with 1/3 cup water (or chicken broth). Cover with lid.
5. Press the valve to SEALING and press MANUAL or PRESSURE COOK for 4 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure. Once the 4 minutes is up, use a long spoon and push the valve to VENTING for a QUICK RELEASE.
6. Once all the pressure is released, carefully unlock the lid. Press the SAUTE button, then whisk the arrowroot starch (or xanthum gum) with 2 tablespoons water until combined and stir into the Instant Pot. Allow sauce to cook until it bubbles and thicken.
7. Taste and adjust seasonings to what you prefer - add additional lemon for tangier, more sweetener for sweeter and sriracha for spicier, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Instant Pot Chinese Lemon Chicken

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 292 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Carbohydrates 7g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Protein 26g52%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.