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Life Made Sweeter

Healthy & Delicious Recipes to sweeten up your life

Asian Lemon Chicken Meal Prep + Recipe VIDEO

Asian Lemon Chicken – an easy homemade 30 minute version of the popular Chinese Takeout-Style Lemon Chicken. With a light and crispy coating covered in a flavorful sweet, savory and tangy lemon sauce. With gluten free & paleo options. Stove top, bake or air fryer instructions plus recipe video!

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Although we’ve had what’s been considered a pretty mild winter so far, I’ve been dreaming of tropical beaches along with bright and sunny citrus flavors.

Lemon anything happens to be my favorite and that bright and refreshing scent can always cheer me up even on the gloomiest day.

My son also happens to be a big lemon lover and this Asian Lemon Chicken is one of his favorite fake-out takeout dishes.

Asian Honey Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls - coated in a citrus sweet & tangy sauce that is even better than your local takeout restaurant! Best of all, it's full of authentic flavors and super easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Skip that takeout menu! This is so much better and healthier! Weekly meal prep for the week and leftovers are great for lunch bowls for work or school.

This homemade version is ready in just 30 minutes so it’s perfect for those busy weeknights.

And the best part about this dish is that there is no deep frying involved.

I’ve included instructions to:

  • pan fry in a skillet on the stove in a little bit of oil
  • bake it in the oven
  • or air fry it (seriously my new favorite obsession)

The sweet and sticky sauce for this Asian Lemon Chicken is full of dimension and flavor. It’s got the right amount of balance of sweet, savory and zingy.

Asian Honey Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls - coated in a citrus sweet & tangy sauce that is even better than your local takeout restaurant! Best of all, it's full of authentic flavors and super easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Skip that takeout menu! This is so much better and healthier! Weekly meal prep for the week and leftovers are great for lunch bowls for work or school.

You can easily customize it to your tastes though. If you like your sauce sweeter, add more honey. For tangier – add more lemon juice and vinegar. And for a kick of heat, add extra Sriracha.

Asian Honey Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls - coated in a citrus sweet & tangy sauce that is even better than your local takeout restaurant! Best of all, it's full of authentic flavors and super easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Skip that takeout menu! This is so much better and healthier! Weekly meal prep for the week and leftovers are great for lunch bowls for work or school.

 

Allergy-friendly substitutions and make ahead tips for this Asian Lemon Chicken:

  • For low sodium soy sauce – use gluten free tamari or coconut aminos for paleo-friendly version
  • For cornstarch – use arrowroot starch for paleo-friendly version
  • To make this ahead – combine all the ingredients for the sauce and store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • The night before, dice the chicken and store in a separate zip-top freezer bag in the fridge.
  • If serving with rice, make rice the day before and store in an air-tight container in the fridge.
  • For easier weekly meal prep – chop all the vegetables ahead of time and store in an airtight container the night before – – I use this lunch container.

 

Asian Honey Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls - coated in a citrus sweet & tangy sauce that is even better than your local takeout restaurant! Best of all, it's full of authentic flavors and super easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Skip that takeout menu! This is so much better and healthier! Weekly meal prep for the week and leftovers are great for lunch bowls for work or school.

 

Asian Honey Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls - coated in a citrus sweet & tangy sauce that is even better than your local takeout restaurant! Best of all, it's full of authentic flavors and super easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Skip that takeout menu! This is so much better and healthier! Weekly meal prep for the week and leftovers are great for lunch bowls for work or school.

5 from 6 votes
Asian Honey Lemon Chicken Meal Prep Lunch Bowls - coated in a citrus sweet & tangy sauce that is even better than your local takeout restaurant! Best of all, it's full of authentic flavors and super easy to make with just 15 minutes of prep time. Skip that takeout menu! This is so much better and healthier! Weekly meal prep for the week and leftovers are great for lunch bowls for work or school.
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Asian Honey Lemon Chicken + MEAL PREP + Recipe Video
Prep Time
12 mins
Cook Time
18 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Asian Lemon Chicken - a homemade and lightened up version of the popular Chinese Takeout-Style Lemon Chicken coated in a sweet and zingy lemon sauce.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Asian chicken recipe, asian food, honey, lemon, lemon chicken, skillet
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320 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)
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch flour or arrowroot powder for paleo
  • 1/3 cup panko crumbs use gluten free if necessary or leave out
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Oil for pan-frying
For the Sauce:
  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce or coconut aminos for gluten free and paleo friendly version
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar or 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic finely minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  • 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 saucepan. 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 cornstarch, panko crumbs, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken and shake well to coat.
  3. Cook chicken using your preferred method below.
  4. While the chicken is cooking, heat saucepan with sauce on medium high. Allow to bubble and thicken while whisking and turn off the heat. Taste and adjust seasonings to what you prefer - add additional lemon for tangier, honey for sweeter and sriracha for spicier, if desired.
For Pan-Fry Stovetop Version:
  1. Heat 2-3 tablespoons oil (or enough to lightly coat the bottom of the pan) in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add chicken and pan fry until golden and cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a large platter lined with paper towels. Repeat.
  2. Toss chicken together with the heated lemon sauce, coating well.
  3. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and serve immediately with rice or noodles, if desired.
For the Baked Version:

  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Place chicken in a single layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until chicken is cooked, flipping once in between. Turn oven to broil for 2-3 minutes or until chicken pieces turn light brown on top and crisp up. Watch your chicken closely so it doesn't burn. Remove chicken from oven and toss together with heated lemon sauce, coating well.

  2. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and serve immediately with rice or noodles, if desired.

For the Air Fryer Version:

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 8 minutes.

    Place chicken in a single layer in the cooking tray (you will have to cook in batches depending on how big your air fryer is.

    Air fry 8 minutes, turning halfway. Until golden.

  2. Remove chicken from the tray and toss together with the heated lemon sauce, coating well.

  3. Garnish with green onions, sesame seeds and serve immediately with rice or noodles, if desired.

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts
Asian Honey Lemon Chicken + MEAL PREP + Recipe Video
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 320 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 6%
Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Sugars 13g
Protein 26g 52%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

30 Minute Thursday MealsDon’t forget to stop by and check out these great recipes from my 30 Minute Thursday friends:

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Sheet Pan Lemon Garlic Salmon and Asparagus from Kristine’s Kitchen
Honey Garlic Chicken Stir Fry Noodles from Savory Nothings
One Pan Italian Pasta from My Kitchen Craze
Spicy Sausage, Kale and Potato Soup from Floating Kitchen
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas from Bake.Eat.Repeat.
Easy Thai Vegetable Pita Pizzas from She Likes Food
Guinness Beef Chili from Flavor the Moments

Asian Lemon Chicken -a delicious homemade Chinese Lemon Chicken takeout. Coated in a refreshingly sweet. savory & tangy sauce that is even better than your local Chinese takeout restaurant! Best of all, it's full of authentic flavors and super easy to make with about 10 minutes of prep time. Instructions for pan-frying and baking in the oven.Skip that takeout menu! This is so much better and healthier! Weekly meal prep or leftovers are great for lunch bowls for work or school.

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Comments

  1. I can’t enough of anything with lemon either, especially in savory dishes. This lemon chicken is calling my name, Kelly! I absolutely love that this is ready in just 30 minutes and so full of flavor. I think I could put that sticky sweet sauce on just about everything!

    Reply

  4. This looks marvelous! It’s been too long since I’ve had lemon chicken! I love that you included a paleo and gluten free option so now I can make this.

    Reply

  6. This sauce sounds so good! I’ll definitely be adding that sriracha in there! I like it spicy! And thanks for the baked version instructions. I’m totally going to try that. I have a frying aversion because well, I don’t trust myself with hot oil. Lol.

    Reply

  7. Looks amazing – can’t believe you don’t have to fry it! And is it crazy that while I have orange chicken a lot, I can’t think of the last time I had lemon chicken?! I really want to!! It really looks amazing…making me hungry here! ; )

    Reply

  8. Citrus always perks up my day — I can’t live without it! And I just want to eat a whole pan of that chicken in that amazing sauce. I’m trying this soon!

    Reply

  11. What a delicious fake-out takeout meal, cute saying too. We are big lemon lovers here as well, in fact we have a small lemon tree. Pinned to add to the dinner roatation, thanks Kelly.

    Reply

  20. Would this be a good meal to make ahead, freeze and reheat? Looks amazing! I’m looking to stock up the freezer with some easy meals for the hubby for lunches. Thanks!

    Reply

  27. We made this tonight, and it was a huge hit!! We are so excited to take the leftovers for lunches this week. This will definitely be in our normal rotation.

    Reply

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